Racism In Austria: A Deeply Troubling Issue

Racism in Austria is a complex issue. While some people share their experiences of racism and microaggressions in the country, others claim that racism is less prevalent in Austria compared to other major countries. Austria's government has been criticized for promoting anti-Muslim discourse and policies, and there are reports of institutional harassment and attacks against anti-racism advocates. The Freedom Party of Austria and the Austrian People's Party have been accused of supporting racist and discriminatory policies, targeting Muslim civil society, and enabling racial profiling. However, some argue that unfriendliness in cities like Vienna is not racist but rather a result of Austrians being more reserved and skeptical of strangers. Rural areas, particularly those with less exposure to foreigners, are said to have higher levels of casual racism. Overall, Austria's approach to addressing racism and promoting anti-racism plans is a subject of ongoing discussion and evaluation.

Racism against Muslims and refugees

Islam is the largest minority religion in Austria, with 7.9% of the population identifying as Muslim in 2016. The history of Muslims in Austria dates back to the 16th century, with the first evidence of Muslims in the country coming from nomadic tribes from Asia that entered the region in 895. Over the years, various Muslim associations and faith groups have been established in the country, with the Recognition Act of 1874 giving Muslims legal recognition as a religious society.

However, in recent years, there has been a rise in anti-Muslim sentiment and policies in Austria. The Freedom Party of Austria and the Austrian People's Party have been criticized for promoting policies and political speech that fuel anti-Muslim racism and hate against refugees. The People's Party, in particular, has been accused of implementing anti-Muslim policies, such as a temporary headscarf ban for girls in primary schools and the closure of mosques. The government has also been criticized for its promotion of anti-Muslim discourse, with claims that it is targeting "political Islam" rather than the religion as a whole. This has resulted in the marginalization and suppression of Austrian Muslims, with anti-racism advocates within civil society facing institutional harassment and attacks.

The European Network Against Racism's (ENAR) evaluation of the National Action Plan against Racism gave Austria a score of 5/20, highlighting the lack of an identifiable action plan to combat racism. There has also been an increase in funding for instruments that support racist and discriminatory policies, such as the Austrian Integration Fund and the Documentation Center for Political Islam. In addition, the state-funded raid Operation Luxor targeted Muslim civil society in Austria, and the implementation of a new Anti-Terrorism Bill has been criticized for not meeting basic human rights standards.

Racial profiling of Black and Muslim people, as well as refugees, has been on the rise in Austria. This has been accompanied by increasing racist narratives by politicians, specifically targeting Muslims. The Austrian Ministry of the Interior's press release quoted Lorenzo Vidino, who claimed that "the Muslim Brotherhood is aiming to divide society and strengthen the influence of political Islam." This has contributed to a climate of suspicion and discrimination against Muslims in the country.

Racial profiling of Black people

Austria has been criticised for its lack of action on structural racism. The country has been characterised by rising racial profiling of Black people, with the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) reporting instances of ethnic profiling by Austrian police, particularly against Black communities. This is compounded by a notable lack of commitment to addressing these issues, despite legislation prohibiting racial profiling and frameworks to address complaints.

Black Austrians have a long history in the country, but they continue to face unique challenges. One Black woman's experience in Austria has been described as going through five stages of identity that feel almost like the stages of grief. She recounts moments of pride in her Blackness and African identity, but also moments of self-doubt and discomfort due to the racial dynamics in the country.

The Austrian media has been accused of perpetuating racist stereotypes and contributing to a culture of anti-Blackness. While efforts like the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 and the work of Black Austrian activists have emerged to counter these issues, the media still plays a significant role in shaping public perceptions and perpetuating racial discrimination.

In addition to the media, political parties in Austria have also been complicit in promoting racist policies and discourse. The Freedom Party of Austria and the Austrian People's Party have been accused of fuelling anti-Muslim racism and hate against refugees. The People's Party, in particular, has accepted policies such as a temporary headscarf ban for girls in primary schools and a new Anti-Terrorism Bill that is not in line with basic human rights standards.

The Austrian government has denied claims of ethnic profiling by the police, but data shows that Afro-Austrians experience high levels of mistrust in law enforcement and are disproportionately targeted. This mistrust extends to the reporting of hate crimes, with only 8% of respondents who felt racially or ethnically discriminated against reporting incidents, 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.

Racist political parties

Austria has a multi-party system, with over 1,100 registered political parties. However, only a few are known to the general public, and only four have consistently received enough votes to gain seats in the national parliament.

One of the most prominent racist political parties in Austria is the Freedom Party (FPÖ). Founded in the 1950s by former Nazis, the Freedom Party has a long history of promoting anti-migrant and anti-Islam rhetoric. In the early 2000s, the party gained traction by stirring up fears about Islam and immigration, with other conservative parties following suit. This normalisation of racism has become an integral part of Austrian politics, with the Freedom Party influencing political debates by framing various issues, from crime to the welfare state, as problems caused by foreigners and immigration.

The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) is another party that has been criticised for promoting policies and political speech that fuel anti-Muslim racism and hate against refugees. They have supported policies such as a temporary headscarf ban for girls in primary schools and the closing of mosques.

In addition to these larger parties, Austria has also seen the rise of smaller far-right groups, such as the Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) and Team HC Strache – Alliance for Austria (HC). These parties often espouse anti-immigrant and nationalist ideologies, contributing to a political climate that is increasingly hostile to minorities.

While there are efforts to combat racism and discrimination, including initiatives to raise awareness and promote tolerance, the normalisation of racist rhetoric by political parties in Austria remains a significant concern for many.

Racist attitudes in rural areas

Racism in Austria is a significant issue, with the country's government actively promoting anti-Muslim discourse and policies, and rising racial profiling of Black and Muslim people, as well as refugees. This is reflected in the country's score of 5/20 in the National Action Plan against Racism evaluation.

Austria's Freedom Party and the Austrian People's Party have been fuelling anti-Muslim racism and hate against refugees through their policies and political speech. This includes the implementation of a temporary headscarf ban for girls in primary schools and an Anti-Terrorism Bill that is not in line with basic human rights standards. There has also been an increase in funding for instruments supporting racist and discriminatory policies, such as the Austrian Integration Fund and the Documentation Center for Political Islam.

Racist attitudes and manifestations are prevalent in Austria, particularly in rural areas. One source suggests that the most racist areas are those that have not had a foreigner in centuries. Casual racism is common in these regions, and it does not change when someone different moves to the area. Migrants face strong divisions and conflicts, especially regarding Muslims and Islam, with some on the right perceiving it as a war. There are also concerns about xenophobic and racist attitudes in the law enforcement sector, including the ill-treatment and humiliation of minorities by the police.

However, it is important to note that individual experiences vary, and some immigrants have expressed love for cities like Vienna. Additionally, some Austrians who initially held racist attitudes towards Asians and other outsiders have changed their perspectives after interacting with these "foreigners" and realising they bring prosperity and stability.

Racism in Vienna

Racism is a significant issue in Austria, with the country promoting anti-Muslim discourse and policies, and institutional harassment against certain NGOs and civil society organisations. This issue is particularly prominent in Vienna, the country's capital and largest city.

In recent years, Austria's Freedom Party and the Austrian People's Party have been criticised for their role in promoting racist and discriminatory policies and political speech, particularly targeting Muslims and refugees. This has included the implementation of a temporary headscarf ban for girls in primary schools and a new Anti-Terrorism Bill that is not in line with basic human rights standards, as well as accepting political narratives that are racist towards Muslims.

The effects of these policies are felt on the ground in Vienna, where people from racial minorities have reported experiencing racism and microaggressions. A Black woman living in Vienna, for instance, described her experiences with racial discrimination, including being asked, "Where are you REALLY from?" even after disclosing her place of birth. She also had to explain to her colleagues that referring to Black people as "the Blacks" and using the "N-word" were inappropriate and unacceptable, regardless of the context.

Austria scored a mere 5/20 in the ENAR’s evaluation of the National Action Plan against Racism, indicating a lack of commitment to combating racism. The country has no identifiable action plan to address racism, and there is institutional harassment and attacks against anti-racism advocates within civil society. This has fostered an environment where racial profiling of Black, Muslim, and refugee populations in Austria has been on the rise.

Vienna, as the cultural and political centre of the country, is likely to be a focal point for these issues, with racial minorities experiencing discrimination and harassment in their daily lives. While there are efforts from civil society organisations to advocate for anti-racism, there is a lack of support and participation from the government, hindering progress towards a more inclusive society.

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