Denmark is poised to expand its restrictions on religious face coverings, building on the 2018 ban on burqa and niqab in public spaces, with plans to extend the prohibition to schools and universities.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has stressed that “democracy takes precedence,” arguing that religious expressions clashing with Danish values—such as gender equality—should not feature in education, and suggested those unwilling to adapt might need to leave.
This follows her June 2025 call to address perceived gaps in the original law, citing concerns over social control and oppression of Muslim women.
The proposal has sparked a global firestorm.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, decry it as discriminatory, disproportionately targeting Muslim women and infringing on religious freedom—only about 0.1-0.2% of Denmark’s Muslim population (around 100-200 women) wear niqab.
Supporters, including some Danish lawmakers, frame it as essential for integration and secularism, pointing to prayer room removals from campuses as a move against isolationist practices.
The establishment backs this as a cultural safeguard, but skepticism looms: the ban’s focus on a tiny minority raises questions about necessity, and evidence linking face coverings to widespread oppression remains anecdotal.
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