Racism In Austria: Is It A Problem?

Austria has been described as a racist place by many people of colour who have lived in or visited the country. A Black woman who moved to Austria described her experience of living in the country as the five stages of identity that feel almost like the stages of grief. She described experiencing microaggressions, racial profiling, and direct racism during her time in Austria.

Other people of colour have also shared their experiences of racism in Austria, including physical attacks, verbal abuse, and discrimination in accessing public services. Some have also observed that racism in Austria is more overt than in other countries, and that it is particularly targeted towards Muslims and migrants from South and Eastern Europe.

Austria's Freedom Party has been identified as promoting anti-Muslim and anti-refugee racism, and the Austrian People's Party has been criticised for accepting a political climate that enables this. A study by the European Network Against Racism gave Austria a score of 5/20 for its lack of action against racism, and noted that anti-racism advocates within civil society face institutional harassment and attacks.

While some Austrians deny that their country is racist, others acknowledge that racism exists and that it is often covert rather than overt. Overall, Austria's reputation as a racist place is a cause for concern and warrants further attention and action to address these issues.

Xenophobia and violence against interracial couples

Political and Social Landscape

Austria's political landscape has been influenced by far-right parties, such as the Freedom Party of Austria and the Austrian People's Party, which have been accused of promoting policies and discourse that fuel anti-Muslim sentiment and racism against refugees. This political climate sets the tone for broader societal attitudes and can contribute to a perception of xenophobia in the country.

Experiences of Interracial Couples

The experiences of interracial couples in Austria can vary significantly depending on their specific circumstances, including their ethnic backgrounds, gender dynamics, and geographical location within the country. Some interracial couples in Austria report feeling relatively comfortable and accepted, especially in larger cities like Vienna, Graz, and Innsbruck, which tend to be more diverse and progressive. These urban areas, particularly those with a significant student population, often foster a more open-minded and international atmosphere.

However, interracial couples, particularly those involving male migrants, may encounter verbal harassment, passive-aggressive behaviour, or curious stares from some Austrians. Incidents can range from off-colour jokes and insensitive remarks to more explicit displays of racism and xenophobia. These experiences are more commonly reported by interracial couples in rural areas or smaller towns, where diversity is less prevalent and conservative ideologies may be more prevalent.

Impact of Gender Dynamics

It is worth noting that gender dynamics play a role in the experiences of interracial couples. Male migrants in relationships with Austrian women may face accusations of "stealing our women" or assumptions that they are only seeking citizenship. Additionally, societal perceptions of gender roles and power imbalances can influence how interracial couples are perceived and treated.

Racial Profiling and Police Conduct

Racial profiling by law enforcement is a concern for people of colour in Austria, and interracial couples may be subject to this as well. While physical violence with racist motives is considered rare, it does occur. People of colour, including those in interracial relationships, may encounter longer wait times in restaurants, less friendly salespersons, or challenges in finding employment due to underlying discrimination.

Strategies for Coping

Interracial couples in Austria often develop strategies to cope with potential xenophobia and racism. These strategies include seeking out diverse social circles, particularly in university towns, and connecting with other expatriates or immigrants who can provide support and a sense of community. Additionally, learning the local language, German, and being able to communicate effectively can help reduce potential tensions or misunderstandings.

Final Thoughts

While Austria has made strides towards addressing racism and xenophobia, the absence of a comprehensive action plan at the governmental level leaves room for improvement. Interracial couples in Austria may experience a range of reactions, from curiosity and acceptance to verbal harassment and discrimination. The impact of these experiences varies, and while physical violence is uncommon, the psychological and emotional toll of xenophobia and racism cannot be overlooked.

Police racism and random papers checks

Austria has been described as an ""inherently White country", with a population of nine million, of which only 40,000 are Black. A Black woman living in Austria has described her experiences of racism in the country, including experiencing microaggressions, racial slurs, and suspicious looks from locals.

Austria has been criticised for its lack of action against racism, with Amnesty International reporting that "institutional racism is permeating the Austrian police force and other parts of the country's criminal justice system". The organisation has called for urgent action to ensure police and judicial organs treat all people equally, regardless of ethnicity or skin colour. Amnesty International's report, "Victim or Suspect: A Question of Colour", documents cases of racist abuse and ill-treatment by Austrian police, as well as the failure of the criminal justice system to treat migrants and ethnic minorities without discrimination.

The report found that non-white Austrians are more likely to be suspected of crimes and mistreated by police, and their complaints are less likely to be investigated or lead to justice. This has led to a sense of injustice within minority communities, who feel specifically targeted by law enforcement. The Austrian government has been accused of promoting anti-Muslim discourse and policies, and there is growing racial profiling of Black and Muslim people, as well as refugees in the country.

Racial profiling by police is not unique to Austria, with similar practices reported in neighbouring Germany. A 2012 incident involved two German citizens of South Asian descent being the only passengers asked to provide identification during a supposedly random check on a train. This instance sparked a decade-long legal battle, with the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ultimately finding that Germany had violated the European Convention on Human Rights by failing to investigate the claims of racial profiling.

The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has also reported that Black people, Asians, and Roma are more likely to be stopped and searched by police across Europe, affecting their trust in law enforcement. The FRA has called on EU countries to end unlawful ethnic profiling and ensure equal treatment for all.

Anti-Muslim discourse and policies

Austria has been criticised for its anti-Muslim discourse and policies. The Austrian government has been accused of promoting anti-Muslim discourse and policies, with the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) and the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) being the main perpetrators.

The FPÖ, founded in 1956, has a history of opposing political hegemony and shifted its focus to anti-migration issues and identity politics in 1986 under the leadership of Jörg Haider. While anti-Muslim rhetoric initially played a minor role in the party's campaigning, this changed when Heinz-Christian Strache took over the party in 2005. The FPÖ began engaging in political campaigns that scapegoated Muslims and criticised Islamic culture, presenting Muslims as the primary targets of their anti-immigration strategies. This shift in rhetoric led to the implementation of policies such as a temporary headscarf ban for girls in primary schools, the establishment of the state-funded Documentation Center of Political Islam, and a new Anti-Terrorism Bill that does not align with basic human rights standards.

The ÖVP, led by Sebastian Kurz, has also contributed to the anti-Muslim sentiment in Austria. In an attempt to win back conservative and religious voters concerned about multiculturalism and Islam, the party adopted a more restrictive approach to Islam. This included supporting a ban on the construction of mosques and minarets and using anti-Muslim rhetoric in their political campaigns.

The Austrian government has also passed laws that specifically target Muslim women, such as the "Prohibition on the Covering of the Face" law, which makes it illegal to wear clothes that obscure one's face in public. This law has been labelled as Islamophobic and discriminatory by many activists and experts.

In addition to these policies, the Austrian government has also taken other measures to thwart what it calls "political Islam". In 2018, the government announced the closure of seven mosques and the deportation of 40 imams paid by Turkey. They have also banned headscarves for children in kindergarten, with the stated motivation of protecting children from family pressure to wear the headscarf.

The anti-Muslim sentiment in Austria is reflected in the results of a 2017 Chatham House survey, which found that 65% of Austrians supported the statement: "All further migration from mainly Muslim countries should be stopped". This sentiment has had a significant impact on the Muslim community in Austria, leading to increased alienation and radicalisation.

Racial profiling of Black people

Austria has been described as an "inherently White country", with a population of nine million, of which only about 40,000 are Black. A Black woman's account of living in Austria describes her experiences of racial discrimination, including direct racism, microaggressions, and stereotypes. She recounts being yelled at with racial slurs, being met with suspicion in stores, and people touching her hair without permission.

Austria has been assessed to have no identifiable action plan against racism, with the government actively promoting anti-Muslim discourse and policies. Racial profiling of Black people and the refugee population in Austria has been on the rise. The Austrian Freedom Party and the Austrian People's Party have been promoting policies and political speech that fuel anti-Muslim racism and hate against refugees.

The country has no participatory mechanisms in place to address racism, and there are reports of institutional harassment and attacks against certain NGOs and anti-racism advocates within civil society. There is also a lack of structural independence in the legal assistance provided to asylum seekers, as it falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior.

The assessment of Austria's National Action Plan against Racism gave the country a score of 5/20, indicating a need for improvement in addressing racial discrimination and promoting equality.

Verbal attacks and microaggressions

A UK citizen of Indian descent describes their experience of being asked to move out of the queue for EU citizens at Vienna airport, despite showing their British passport. They also describe how their family was subjected to racial abuse in Salzburg, where a man threw water at their 10-year-old son, and a woman at a supermarket till walked out when it was their turn to pay.

Other examples of verbal attacks and microaggressions include being subjected to "random papers checks" by police if you are visibly non-European, being stared at, and being treated with suspicion in shops until you speak with an American accent.

Interracial couples may also experience verbal attacks, with male POC being accused of "stealing our women" or "just trying to get citizenship".

The normalisation of racism in Austria is largely attributed to the Freedom Party of Austria and the Austrian People's Party, who have been promoting policies and political speech that fuel anti-Muslim racism and hate against refugees. This includes the implementation of a temporary headscarf ban for girls in primary schools, the establishment of the state-funded Documentation Center of Political Islam, and a new Anti-Terrorism Bill that is not in line with basic human rights standards.

As a result of this political discourse, many Muslims in Austria have experienced hate speech, discrimination, and violence.

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