Denmark has announced plans to extend its existing ban on full-face coverings by prohibiting burkas and niqabs in schools and universities as part of a wider effort to address what the government describes as “parallel societies.” If approved, the proposal would apply to classrooms across the country and build on legislation already in force since 2018, which bans full-face coverings in public spaces.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s government says the proposal is intended to strengthen integration and tackle what it calls “negative social control.” In Denmark, the term “parallel societies” is commonly used to describe residential areas where a large proportion of residents come from non-Western immigrant backgrounds.
According to reports, the government plans to introduce legislation that was not passed before the recent election. While supporters argue the move promotes integration, critics have questioned its practical impact, noting that very few students reportedly wear burkas or niqabs in Danish schools or universities.
Denmark already introduced a nationwide ban on full-face coverings in public places in 2018, with repeat violations carrying financial penalties. The latest proposal would extend those restrictions specifically to educational institutions if it is approved by lawmakers.
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