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Azerbaijan school hijab restriction and protest controversy

Updated 19 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-23 09:01 UTC → 2026-10-23 21:07 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Tensions have escalated in Azerbaijan following the enforcement of hijab restrictions in state schools. The controversy stems from the Cabinet of Ministers' decision 309, adopted on September 21, 2026, which restricts clothing deemed contrary to the ‘principle of secularism’. This has led to administrations denying entry to students and educators, sparking widespread boycotts and unrest in Baku, Sumgait, and other regions. The situation has evolved into a significant diplomatic friction point. In Turkey, senior officials, including an adviser to President Erdoğan, have denounced the ban as ‘unacceptable’, prompting the ruling New Azerbaijan Party to dismiss the comments as ‘populist and irresponsible’ disinformation. Azerbaijani authorities have framed the enforcement of secularism as a matter of national security to protect the state from foreign political ~~influence,~~ influence. Protests have also emerged within Turkey in response to the policy. In Diyarbakır, Islamic civil society organizations and political leaders, including Yeniden Refah Party Chairman Fatih Erbakan, held a ~~stance~~ press conference to condemn the restrictions. Fatih Taş, President of the Ideal Education Foundation, asserted that ~~highlights broader geopolitical differences between Baku~~ depriving students of education based on religious attire contradicts international law and ~~Ankara.~~ the principles of justice. Protesters rejected claims that their actions constitute interference in Azerbaijan's internal affairs, characterizing their stance as a ‘humanitarian responsibility to defend human rights’. Security crackdowns have intensified. In the Nardaran settlement near Baku, masked and armed police reportedly conducted early-morning raids, detaining 88 individuals, including women, elderly residents, and local figures. Local reports have raised concerns regarding the conduct of security forces, alleging the mistreatment of detainees and threats made to families to prevent them from speaking to the media. individuals. Amnesty International continues to call for a reversal of the restrictions, stating that denying access to education based on religious dress violates fundamental ~~rights to education, religion, and expression.~~ rights.

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