Attachment to secularism or new authoritarian drift: Azerbaijan restricts the wearing of the veil at school and triggers demonstrations

Images of crying teenage girls turned away at the entrance to their school and veiled teachers teaching class in a playground... In Azerbaijan, new clothing rules in the country's schools are causing a destabilization of the school system and a wave of protest. The Ministry of the Interior reported on Monday October 12 several demonstrations in front of establishments, attacks on members of educational staff, and announced the arrest of 37 people for “serious breach of public order”. Difficulties accessing Instagram and TikTok, platforms where social protest takes place, have recently been reported by Internet users... suggesting a resumption of control by the State.

It all started with a government decree of September 21 banning the wearing of clothing “incompatible with the principle of secularism” in schools, thus effectively eliminating the hijab. It was supplemented a few days later by restrictions targeting…