Human Rights: 159 NGO Demands on Austria
Among these is a withdrawal of messenger surveillance, as well as measures against violence against women and a right to housing in the constitution, said Florian Horn of the Austrian League for Human Rights at a press conference on Monday.
The UPR takes place every four to five years. In the fall of 2025, Austria's state report will follow, and in the spring of 2026, a session of the Human Rights Council will take place, during which UN member states will make recommendations to Austria. The state can accept or reject these. The past third cycle was "not very pleasing," said Horn: There is significant progress in only eight percent of the recommendations that Austria accepted. In another 45 percent, there is fundamental progress, and in 47 percent, no progress is visible. "In some areas, such as inclusion, we even have to assume setbacks," said Horn. As a positive example, Amnesty International's Executive Director Shoura Zehetner-Hashemi mentioned the establishment of the investigation office against police violence.
Over 300 organizations involved
According to Horn, over 300 organizations either directly or through their umbrella organizations participated in the statement coordinated by the League for Human Rights. The 159 demands include measures against domestic and sexualized violence against women, nationwide uniform quality standards in child and youth welfare, uniform anti-discrimination protection also for reasons of age, religion, and belief, as well as the completion of the reform of the enforcement of measures. Austria has a major problem with political participation: "We have many people who are currently not allowed to participate in the political process, even though they are lawfully residing in Austria."
There was also criticism of recently adopted measures by the black-red-pink federal government. Horn demanded the reinstatement of the messenger surveillance. Zehetner-Hashemi criticized the halt of family reunification for asylum seekers and those with subsidiary protection, as well as the deportation of a Syrian offender to his home country. Both continue to demand custody for unaccompanied minor refugees from the first day.
Lack of strategic planning
There is certainly a lack of strategic planning in the human rights area, emphasized Horn. He called for a National Action Plan for Human Rights. Additionally, a "Human-Rights-First approach" is needed - human rights should come first in the legislative process.
President of the Council for the Disabled, Klaus Widl, saw a lack of implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. He demanded wages instead of pocket money for people with disabilities working in workshops, and a strategy for "deinstitutionalization." It should not depend on the federal state which services one receives.
(APA/Red)
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