In Baku, 37 people were arrested amid protests against the new rules for a standardized school uniform. According to the Azerbaijani publication Minval, citing the Azerbaijani Ministry of Internal Affairs, protesters clashed with school staff, disrupted the work of educational institutions and traffic, and tried to start fires.
According to Meduza, citing the Azerbaijani Ministry of Internal Affairs, 37 people were arrested in Baku because of protests against the new rules for a standardized school uniform. A criminal case has been opened under Article 233 of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan; the maximum penalty under it is up to three years in prison.
According to the agency, protesters clashed with school staff and tried to disrupt the work of educational institutions and traffic. In Baku’s Garadagh district, the car of a school principal was set on fire, and in the Yasamal district an attempt was made to set a school on fire; in both cases, no one was injured.
The government of Azerbaijan approved the new rules on September 21. Students were forbidden to attend classes in clothing that contradicts the secular nature of education and violates the uniformity of the school uniform, and on October 6 the same requirements were extended to teachers’ clothing.
On October 12, inspections of compliance with these requirements began in schools. As reported by the Azerbaijani agency APA, students who came dressed improperly were interviewed with the participation of school doctors and psychologists, and parents were invited to schools for explanations.
The Azerbaijani authorities explain the ban as necessary to ensure equality among students. Azerbaijani parliament member Sevindj Fataliyeva said that a standardized school uniform should smooth out social and religious differences among children and help preserve a neutral educational environment.
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