Austria Parliament approves Hijab ban in schools

Austrian lawmakers on Thursday approved a law banning Islamic headscarves (Hijab) in schools for girls under 14, a move rights groups and experts say is discriminatory and could deepen society divisions.

The conservative-led government -- under pressure from rising anti-migration sentiment -- proposed the ban this year, arguing it is to protect girls "from oppression".

The opposition Green party voted against the ban saying it was unconstitutional.