Greece has launched a formal debate on banning the burqa in state-run facilities and schools, with Migration Minister Thanos Plevris saying that the move is necessary to shield young girls from community pressure and forced concealment.
Speaking to broadcaster SKAI, Mr. Plevris clarified that the government is weighing restrictions on full-face coverings—the burqa and niqab—rather than the traditional headscarf.
He emphasized that the proposal is framed as a matter of human dignity and children's rights rather than religious discrimination, citing research conducted by Deputy Minister Sevi Voloudaki within migrant reception centers.
"We have identified cases of young girls being pressured by male members of their communities to wear full-face coverings," Mr. Plevris said. "The question is not about religious symbols, but whether a child can genuinely choose such a practice while residing in a free society."
The minister noted that Greece is reviewing legislative precedents in Austria, France, and Belgium, where the European Court of Human Rights has upheld similar restrictions.
While no bill has been finalized, the government is considering two scenarios: a targeted ban within state facilities for minors, or a broader restriction covering all public services.
The debate emerges as migration figures show a 60% decline in arrivals over the past year. Mr. Plevris attributed the drop to effective cooperation with Turkish authorities but warned that regional instability, particularly in Afghanistan, requires continued vigilance.
Critics of the proposal, including human rights advocates, have cautioned that such a ban could isolate conservative families and hinder the very integration the government seeks to promote.