An EU country has banned burqas and niqabs in schools as ministers seek to protect girls from "oppression". Austrian schoolgirls are now forbidden to wear headscarves while under the age of 14, with the state's three-party governing coalition claiming it helps establish "gender equality". Students who do not conform to the new restriction will be told to meet with school leaders and their parents or guardians.

Any further breach of the rule would be referred to Austria’s child and youth welfare officials, and fines of up to €800 (£700) could be imposed. NEOS member of the National Council of Austria, Yannick Shetty, insisted that the policy was “not against religion". He added that it is "a measure to protect the freedom of girls in this country”. Around 12,000 children are set to be

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