Black Austrians: Presence And History In Austria

Austria has an estimated black population of 40,000 people, with a long history of Africans in the country that dates back to the 14th century. Despite this, black Austrians continue to face racial discrimination and police brutality. In 2014, a study revealed that around half of Austria's black population had been abused or racially harassed in the past year. This is reflected in the personal experiences of Afro-Austrians, who have shared their stories of racism and police brutality in the country.

Afro-Austrians' complex linkages with their countries of residence and origin

Afro-Austrians have a complex relationship with their country of residence and their countries of origin. This is due to the unique historical context of Austria and its lack of colonial past. While Austria has never been an official coloniser, the country has benefited from colonial trade and has a history of Africans dating back to the 14th century. This includes the story of Angelo Soliman, a slave of Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein, who was highly regarded by the royal family and moved in high-brow Viennese society.

Despite this long history, Afro-Austrians continue to face racial harassment and discrimination in their country of residence. A 2014 study found that around half of Austria's black population had been abused or racially harassed in the past year, with many experiencing discrimination on public transport, on the street, and in restaurants or bars. Additionally, Afro-Austrians are over-policed, with 53% of study participants reporting being asked for identification by the police, and 51% feeling mistreated by law enforcement. This structural racism is further evidenced by the numerous cases of police brutality and the murder of Black individuals at the hands of Austrian police.

The Black Lives Matter movement has gained traction in Austria, with thousands of people, including both Black and white Austrians, protesting police brutality and racism in the country. Afro-Austrians have always been vocal about these issues, but the combination of the COVID-19 pandemic, recent cases of police brutality, and the murder of George Floyd in the US has brought new urgency to the conversation.

Afro-Austrians navigate complex linkages with their countries of residence and origin, facing discrimination and racism in Austria while also celebrating their African heritage and influencing Austrian society. Organisations such as Pamoja: The Movement of the Young African Diaspora in Austria and Fresh Magazine, a publication on Black Austrian lifestyle, showcase the vibrant Afro-Austrian community and their contributions to the nation.

Police brutality and killing of Black people in Austria

Austria has a history of police brutality against Black people, with several notable cases. In May 1999, Marcus Omofuma, a Nigerian asylum-seeker, died while being deported by police from Vienna airport. He was allegedly gagged, with adhesive tape wrapped around his head and bound to his seat, causing him to suffocate. This case sparked protests against "racist police terror", which were met with one of the largest criminal investigation operations in Austria, "Operation Spring", resulting in the arrest of 127 African activists and refugees. While three police officers were convicted for "negligent homicide" and served eight months in prison, this incident highlights the existence of structural racism and police brutality against Blacks in Austria.

Another incident involved Dr. C, a Black Austrian citizen, who was stopped by police after reversing his car into a one-way street in November 1998. Dr. C was subjected to racial slurs, physical assault, and sustained injuries that required hospitalization. This case demonstrates the dehumanizing treatment and excessive force used by Austrian police against Black individuals.

In more recent times, the murder of George Floyd in the United States sparked global outrage, including protests in Austria. The Black Lives Matter movement gained traction in the country, with rallies taking place in eight out of nine Austrian states, mobilizing nearly 100,000 people. These protests brought attention to police brutality and racism in Austria, with activists highlighting the country's history of discrimination and structural racism.

Austria's complex historical linkages with African countries, including its participation in colonial trade, have contributed to the presence of Afro-Austrians and the issues they face today. While Austria was not an official colonizer, it benefited from colonial trade and had royal family members married into colonial households. This history has resulted in a neglected racial divide and the persistence of racism and police brutality against Blacks in the country.

While Austria prides itself on values such as equality and the rule of law, there is a disconnect between these ideals and the reality faced by Black Austrians. Statistics show that Austria ranks highest among EU member states in terms of mistrust of law enforcement by people of African descent. Additionally, only 8% of respondents who felt racially or ethnically discriminated against reported incidents of hate crime, which is significantly lower than the EU average of 16%. This underreporting can be attributed to fear of retaliation and a lack of faith in the system.

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has also reported instances of ethnic profiling by Austrian police, particularly against Black and Muslim communities. Despite legislation prohibiting racial profiling and frameworks to address complaints, there is a notable lack of commitment to addressing these issues. The culture of excusing and failing to hold police officers accountable persists, with complaints of mistreatment often met with inadequate investigations and judicial proceedings.

To combat police brutality and structural racism, Austria needs to address its history of discrimination and take concrete actions toward change. This includes implementing broad programs that encourage positive cross-cultural relations, providing racial sensitivity training for police, and adopting a National Action Plan against Racism, as suggested by Amnesty International.

Racism in the Austrian media

Austria has a history of racial discrimination and police brutality against Black people. This is reflected in the country's media, which has been criticised for its role in perpetuating racist narratives and contributing to a culture of anti-Blackness.

Historical Context

Austria has never been an official coloniser, but it benefited from colonial trade and married members of its royal family into imperial households. Despite this, Austria never had to confront Black nationalism or facilitate immigration from its colonies. As a result, there is a lack of awareness and understanding of the country's Black history.

Police Brutality

One of the most infamous cases of police brutality in Austria involved Marcus Omofuma, a 25-year-old man who died during a forced deportation to Nigeria in 1999. Omofuma was physically restrained with adhesive tape, gagged, and suffocated to death. His death sparked protests from the African community, but the media portrayed these demonstrations as criminal acts, and the police responded with a massive investigation targeting African activists and refugees. The officers responsible for Omofuma's death were convicted of negligent homicide and served only eight months in prison.

Structural Racism

Austria has been criticised for its lack of action on structural racism. The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) reported in 2020 that ethnic profiling by the police, particularly against Black and Muslim communities, continues to be a problem. The Austrian government denied these claims, but data shows that people of African descent in Austria experience high levels of mistrust in law enforcement and are disproportionately targeted by the police.

Media Portrayal

The Austrian media has been accused of perpetuating racist stereotypes and contributing to a culture of anti-Blackness. While there have been some efforts to address these issues, such as the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 and the work of Black Austrian activists, the media continues to play a significant role in shaping public perceptions and contributing to racial discrimination.

Online Racism

In addition to traditional media, online platforms have become a significant source of racist incidents in Austria. According to a 2023 report by Civil Courage and Anti-racism Work (ZARA), 52% of racist incidents occur online. This includes social media posts, hate speech, and other forms of digital harassment. The actual number of racist incidents is likely much higher, as many instances of racism go unreported.

Lack of Government Action

There is a lack of a comprehensive action plan to address racism in Austria. The government has been criticised for promoting anti-Muslim discourse and policies, and for failing to protect civil society organisations that advocate for racial equality. This has led to increased harassment and attacks against anti-racism advocates and a lack of trust in the country's commitment to addressing structural racism.

Discrimination against Black people in Austrian workplaces

Austria has a history of racial discrimination, particularly against Black people. While the country has made efforts to address this issue, it still persists in various forms, including in the workplace.

Historical Context

Austria has never been an official coloniser, but it did benefit from colonial trade and had links to European colonial powers through royal family marriages. Despite this, Austria never had to confront Black nationalism or facilitate immigration from its colonies. As a result, there is a lack of awareness and recognition of the country's Black history and the presence of Afro-Austrians.

Prevalence of Discrimination

According to a 2010 estimate, only 40,000 out of Austria's 8.9 million inhabitants have African ancestry. This small percentage of the population faces various forms of discrimination, including in the workplace. While Austria has laws prohibiting discrimination based on race and ethnicity, these issues still occur.

Types of Discrimination

• Direct Discrimination: This occurs when a person is treated less favourably than another in a similar situation due to their race, colour, national or ethnic origin, or immigrant status. An example would be an employer refusing to hire a qualified Black candidate because they feel they might lose customers.
• Indirect Discrimination: This can be more subtle and occurs when employers put in place requirements or practices that appear neutral but actually disadvantage people based on their race or ethnicity. For instance, a company policy prohibiting employees from wearing hats or headwear could disproportionately affect people from certain racial or ethnic backgrounds.

Examples of Workplace Discrimination

Some specific examples of discrimination against Black people in Austrian workplaces include:

• Insisting that all employees speak German at all times, even during breaks, which can disadvantage those who are not fluent in the language.
• Not employing someone from a particular racial group due to stereotypes or assumptions about their reliability or ability to 'fit in'.
• Unfair treatment or negative comments about an employee's race, such as co-workers using racist slurs or making offensive jokes.
• Not offering employment or promotion opportunities to someone because of their immigrant status, even if they have a valid work visa.

Legal Protections and Remedies

Austria has taken steps to address discrimination through legislation and policy measures. The country is a state party to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and has implemented the Equal Treatment Act (GlBG) and the Federal Equal Treatment Act (B-GlBG) to uphold equality and prohibit discrimination in employment.

If discrimination occurs, affected individuals have legal recourse and are entitled to compensation for personal detriment suffered. They can pursue claims through labour and social courts, as well as through the Equal Treatment Ombudsman and the Equal Treatment Commission.

Additionally, employers have a legal responsibility to take reasonable steps to prevent racial discrimination, including implementing anti-discrimination policies and procedures. Failure to do so can result in legal consequences.

Ongoing Challenges

Despite these legal protections, discrimination against Black people in Austrian workplaces persists. This is partly due to the complex interplay between individual prejudices and structural racism within institutions, including the police force.

Furthermore, there is a lack of trust in the system among Afro-Austrians, with a significant percentage not reporting incidents of hate crimes or racial profiling. This underscores the need for continued efforts to address discrimination and promote equality in Austrian society and workplaces.

While Austria has made strides in recognising and addressing racial discrimination, the experiences of Black people in the country, particularly in workplaces, indicate that more needs to be done. It is crucial to continue challenging both individual prejudices and structural racism, fostering an environment where Afro-Austrians can thrive and have their rights respected and protected.

The history of Africans in Austria

During the late 1800s and early 1900s, the few Africans who came to Austria to study, work, or engage in diplomacy rarely stayed in the country past their appointments. Austria has never been an official coloniser and did not actively participate in the colonisation of Africa. However, the Austro-Hungarian Empire benefited from European colonialism in Africa and contributed to the destabilisation of the continent. When Black people entered the consciousness of the Austrian public, they were often seen as sub-human and were subjected to discriminatory policies and practices.

In the era of National Socialism, negative stereotypes about Africans prevailed, including the accusation that Black Africans were instruments of the Jews. Racial policies prevented relations between members of different groups, and official discrimination was practised at all levels. The children of mixed-race couples were also subjected to intrusive anthropological investigations to legitimise Nazi race policies.

After the Second World War, the number of students of African descent in Austria grew significantly, from 19 in the winter semester of 1953/54 to almost 640 in 1961/62. This increase was partly due to the presence of African-American soldiers stationed in Austria during the war, some of whom entered into relationships with Austrian women. Their children were colloquially known as "war children".

In recent decades, the number of Africans migrating to Austria has risen sharply, with an estimated 40,000 people of African descent living in the country in 2010, most of them in the Federal Capital. However, this increase in migration has also led to a rise in racist attacks and discrimination against Austrians of African descent. According to surveys, around 50% of people of African descent in Austria feel discriminated against and experience racial abuse or harassment in public. There have also been several notable incidents of police brutality and violence against Black Austrians, including the deaths of Marcus Omofuma, Richard Ibekwe, and Seibane Wague.

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