BRUSSELS - The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Thursday upheld a headscarf ban at secondary schools in Flanders, Belgium's northern region.

The Court noted in the present case that the contested ban did not concern solely the Islamic veil, but applied without distinction to all visible symbols of belief.

The European Court of Human Rights

Students at Flemish secondary schools are allowed to wear headscarves during religion classes but have to remove them during other classes.

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The ban had been challenged by three young Muslim women but the court stated the Flemish education prohibits the wearing of any visible religious symbol and upheld the ban.

"The Court noted in the present case that the contested ban did not concern solely the Islamic veil, but applied without distinction to all visible symbols of belief," ECHR said in a statement.

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It also said the ruling is final.