Amnesty International has called on Azerbaijani authorities to overturn recent school clothing regulations that effectively bar the wearing of hijabs by students and teachers in classrooms, urging the immediate release of individuals detained for participating in peaceful protests. The organization emphasized that restricting girls’ access to education due to their choice to wear a hijab discriminates against them and infringes upon their rights to education, religious freedom, and personal expression.
The contentious regulation stems from a decision by Azerbaijan’s Cabinet of Ministers on September 21, which mandates adherence to a prescribed school uniform to maintain the secular nature of public education. While the decision does not explicitly reference the hijab, the impact of the policy has seen educators and students denied school entry since October 12. Amnesty International underscores the need for Azerbaijani authorities to revoke these discriminatory restrictions to ensure that those affected can resume their educational activities.
Tensions in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, have led to the detention of several protesters. Amnesty reports discrepancies in the numbers detained, with the Interior Ministry acknowledging 37 detentions on October 12, while activism circles suggest figures exceeding 200. Detained individuals are accused of disrupting public order, though details remain sparse on the precise allegations against them, including accusations against minors suspected of planning to set a school ablaze.
The Azerbaijani government maintains that the dress code rules are rooted in secular educational principles and align with legal amendments endorsed by President Ilham Aliyev. Allahshukur Pashazadeh, Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board, declared the absence of a nationwide hijab ban, countering interpretations of the policy as overly restrictive.
Historically, the European Court of Human Rights has upheld similar bans, such as in the 2005 Leyla Şahin v. Turkey case, where the court found no breach of religious expression rights. However, as the Azerbaijani context unfolds, the international community watches closely. The situation underscores the persistent tension between secular policy enforcement and religious freedoms within national educational systems.
As of mid-October, the Azerbaijani authorities have yet to provide clarity on how these regulations specifically pertain to headscarves, leaving the issue shrouded in uncertainty. Meanwhile, the criminal case involving accusations of disrupting public order remains active. For further context on these developments, the original report can be found here.