UN expert urges Austria to address deep structural racism and rising discrimination

In a concluding statement, Ashwini K.P. said she was struck by the extent to which racial inequalities shape the lives of many communities across the country.

The UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, Ashwini K.P., has urged Austria to intensify its efforts to prevent, confront and remedy structural racial discrimination, following an official visit that revealed what she described as “deeply entrenched and pervasive racial hierarchies” within Austrian society.

In a concluding statement, Ashwini K.P. said she was struck by the extent to which racial inequalities shape the lives of many communities across the country.

“During my visit, I witnessed high levels of racism as well as structural forms of discrimination and exclusion,” she said. These experiences, she noted, reflect long-standing patterns that disproportionately affect minorities and migrant communities.

Communities facing multiple forms of exclusion

While acknowledging that Austria has legal safeguards and anti-discrimination frameworks at the federal, Länder and municipal levels, the Special Rapporteur said significant gaps remain. She raised concerns about multiple, overlapping forms of racism experienced by:

• Africans and people of African descent

• Jewish communities

• Muslims

• People of Arab descent

• Roma communities

• Palestinians

• Asians and people of Asian descent

Many individuals within these groups face cumulative discrimination, including:

• Hate speech and hate crimes

• Racial profiling by authorities

• Barriers in accessing education, employment and housing

• Social exclusion tied to migrant background or perceived foreignness

Ashwini K.P. emphasised that these layers of discrimination often reinforce systemic inequality, limiting full participation in social, political and economic life.

Impact of political shifts and rising populism

The Special Rapporteur highlighted a resurgence of right-wing populism in Austria and a growing presence of such parties at both federal and Länder levels. These political developments, she warned, could intensify racist rhetoric, normalise discriminatory attitudes and embolden extremist movements.

“These trends could be an accelerant of racism,” she said, urging the Government to monitor and counter narratives that target minority groups or fuel division.

Call for stronger national action

Despite Austria’s existing legal protections, the UN expert stressed that urgent additional steps are required to meaningfully strengthen anti-racism efforts. Such measures could include:

• Expanding national action plans against racism

• Strengthening institutional accountability for discrimination cases

• Ensuring equal access to justice for marginalised communities

• Increasing investment in diversity, inclusion and public awareness initiatives

• Improving data collection on hate crimes and discrimination cases

The Special Rapporteur encouraged authorities to work closely with civil society organisations, community leaders and human rights institutions to ensure that policies are inclusive and effective.

Ashwini K.P. will submit a full report of her findings and recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2026.