Denmark has officially widened its ban on full-face religious veils — like the burqa and niqab — to include public schools, colleges, and universities. The law passed with a 75–30 vote and also pushes to remove prayer rooms from educational buildings.
The government says the move is about integration, gender equality, and protecting Denmark’s secular values. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen insists “democracy comes first,” arguing that some religious practices can be used for social control.
Penalties for breaking the rules start at 1,000 kroner and can go up to 10,000 for repeat offenses.
But the decision has sparked major backlash. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, call the ban discriminatory and say it unfairly targets Muslim women and restricts their freedom of expression and religion.
The change has ignited a heated debate — balancing secular public spaces vs. protecting individual religious rights.