Austria's Burqa Ban: Understanding The New Law

In 2017, Austria banned the wearing of the burqa and other face coverings in public spaces. The ban, which came into effect in October, was part of a controversial law prohibiting everyone in the country from covering their faces, with some exceptions for medical or professional purposes. The law was expected to affect only around 150 Muslim women in Austria, or 0.002% of the country's population. The Austrian government's decision sparked protests across the country and was criticised as discriminatory and racist by many Muslim women and other opponents.

The law was part of a package of measures to integrate migrants

Austria's ban on the burqa, or the "Anti-Face-Veiling Act", was part of a package of measures to integrate migrants. The law, which came into effect in October 2017, was expected to impact only about 150 Austrian Muslim women, or 0.002% of the country's total population. The new law prohibited people in Austria from covering their faces, with exceptions for medical or professional reasons. Those who violated the law would be subject to a fine of 150 euros ($177).

The Austrian government framed the ban as a way to promote integration among Austrian Muslims and reduce fears about immigration and radical Islamists, which were sharply dividing society. The law was part of a larger package of measures that included requiring all recent migrants to participate in classes to learn the German language, as well as Austrian norms and values.

However, the ban was controversial and sparked protests across the country, including from President Alexander Van der Bellen, who publicly declared his support for a woman's right to wear an Islamic headscarf before the legislation was approved. Many Muslim women and other opponents deemed the law discriminatory and racist.

The law also proved challenging to enforce, with police arresting protesters dressed as clowns, cyclists wearing scarves, and people in animal costumes. In practice, the law ended up banning all types of facial disguises, with a few exceptions, such as scarves during freezing cold weather and Santa Claus costumes during the Christmas period.

Overall, the law had a limited impact on its stated target, with only four violations for wearing a burqa, all against the same person. A police commander, Hermann Greylinger, admitted that the law "didn't work out well" and was "nothing but populism".

The ban sparked protests across Austria

The Austrian government's decision to ban the burqa sparked protests across the country. The ban, which came into effect in October 2017, was part of a larger package of measures defended as a way to integrate migrants. However, many saw it as a knee-jerk reaction to the rise of the far right in the country.

Austria's own president, Alexander Van der Bellen, opposed the law, stating, "It is every woman's right to always dress how she wants." Before the legislation was approved, he publicly declared his support for a woman's right to wear an Islamic headscarf and even suggested that all women should wear a headscarf in solidarity to battle prejudice against Muslims. Despite his opposition, he still signed the ban, saying that it did not conflict with the constitution.

The law, officially called the "Anti-Face-Veiling Act" or the "Prohibition for the Covering of the Face", banned all face masks in public spaces, with some exceptions for medical or professional purposes. It was carefully worded to avoid accusations of Islamophobia and racism, but most Austrians still referred to it as a "burqa ban."

The ban sparked protests and criticism from various groups, including Muslim women and other opponents who deemed it discriminatory and racist. There were also concerns about its effectiveness and enforceability, as it led to some strange situations and arrests that were not related to the wearing of burqas or religious veils. For example, people dressed as clowns, in animal costumes, or wearing scarves, sports hoods, and even a man in a shark costume for a PR stunt were fined or arrested for violating the law.

The law also raised concerns in tourist destinations such as Zell am See, a popular resort for visitors from the Middle East. Authorities worried that the ban might scare away high-spending Arab guests and the valuable revenue they bring. While police tried to enforce the law respectfully, there were reports of negative reactions from those approached and asked to remove their veils.

Overall, the ban sparked widespread confusion and criticism, with some calling it a failure or "total crap." It highlighted the challenges European nations face when trying to ban certain religious symbols while also upholding their constitutions, which often enshrine religious freedom.

The law doesn't just ban face veils worn by Muslim women

Austria's "Anti-Face-Veiling Act" bans the wearing of face coverings in public spaces. While the law is commonly referred to as a "burqa ban", it applies to all face masks and coverings, with some exceptions for medical or professional purposes. The Austrian government carefully framed the law to avoid accusations of Islamophobia and racism.

The law was implemented in October 2017, ahead of the country's general election, and carried a fine of up to 150 euros ($170-$177) for violations. The aim of the ban, according to the government, was to promote integration among Austrian Muslims and address fears about immigration and radical Islam. However, the law has faced widespread criticism and has been challenging to enforce.

The law does not only target Muslim women who wear the burqa or niqab, but anyone covering their face in public, including protesters, cyclists, and people wearing scarves or costumes. This has led to confusion and criticism, with police making arrests that appear to deviate from the law's intended purpose. For example, a man wearing a shark costume for a PR stunt and cyclists wearing scarves for warmth were fined or arrested for violating the ban.

The law has also had a delicate impact on tourism, particularly in towns like Zell am See, a popular destination for visitors from the Gulf region. While the police have tried to enforce the law respectfully, there are concerns that high-spending Arab guests might be scared off, impacting the local economy.

Overall, the Austrian "burqa ban" has faced challenges due to its broad scope and the need for sensitive enforcement. The law's impact extends beyond Muslim women and has led to criticism and confusion among both locals and tourists.

The number of women who wear face veils is minuscule throughout Europe

In October 2017, Austria passed an "anti-face veil law", banning all face masks in public spaces. People who violate the law are subject to a €150 fine. However, the law has been deemed a failure, with police arresting protesters dressed as clowns, cyclists wearing scarves, and people wearing sports hoods.

The number of women who wear face veils in Austria is minuscule. Only 150 Austrian Muslim women, or 0.002% of the population, wear face veils. Since the ban was enacted, there have been very few arrests for wearing a face veil. In Vorarlberg, for example, officers have not reported any violations. In Zell am See, a resort popular with tourists from the Middle East, there has only been one arrest, but it was for a man wearing a sports hood, not a woman wearing a face veil. Overall, a report found that there were a total of 29 arrests for violating the act, with only four violations for wearing a burqa, and these were all against the same person.

The small number of women who wear face veils in Austria is reflected in other European countries. In France, it is estimated that the ban on burqas and niqabs affects only about 2,000 Muslim women, out of a total of 5 million Muslims in the country. In Belgium, among the 1 million Muslims in the country, it is estimated that only about 300 women wear a burqa or niqab. In the Netherlands, the number of women who wear a burqa or niqab is estimated to be around 100.

While the number of women who wear face veils in Europe is small, the impact of veil bans on their lives can be significant. In France, for example, a report found that a large number of the 32 women interviewed had experienced verbal and sometimes physical abuse since the debate on the face veil began, and as a result, had limited their time spent outside the home. The report also revealed that a large number of the women, 30 of whom were French citizens, felt alienated and abandoned by the country they called home.

The ban includes exceptions for medical or professional purposes

In 2017, Austria implemented a controversial law prohibiting everyone in the country from covering their faces, with some exceptions for medical or professional purposes. The law, which came into effect in October, was called the "Anti-Face-Veiling Act" or the "Prohibition for the Covering of the Face". It was aimed at removing burqas and facial veils from public spaces and was expected to impact the 150 Austrian Muslim women who wear them, or around 0.002% of the entire population.

The Austrian government was careful to frame the ban as applying to all face coverings, rather than specifically targeting Muslim women. However, the ban has been widely referred to as the "burqa ban" both by the public and the media. The ban was part of a larger package of measures defended as a way to integrate migrants, including requiring all recent migrants to participate in classes to learn the German language and Austrian norms and values.

The law includes fines of up to 150 euros (nearly $180) for violations, and police are authorised to use force if individuals resist showing their faces. Despite the exceptions for medical or professional purposes, the ban has faced criticism and has been deemed discriminatory and racist by many opponents.

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