commdh-austria
Strasbourg, 07/06/2012 – “Living conditions of asylum-seekers in Austria are good in general. However, improvements should be considered to ensure that quality legal counseling is available at all stages of the asylum procedure and to broaden asylum seeker’s access to work” said Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, after concluding his three-day visit to Austria.
The Commissioner met with asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children, families and single mothers, in the Federal Reception Centre East at Traiskirchen. He also focused on the protection of women’s rights. He welcomed Austria’s progress towards ratification of the Istanbul Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, which is foreseen for the autumn.
As concerns persons with disabilities, the Commissioner urged the Austrian authorities to ensure that the National Action Plan, which is currently being drafted, guarantees the full implementation of the UN Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities across the country.
Lastly, the Commissioner welcomed the strengthening of the Austrian Ombudsman Board by integrating the National Human Rights Advisory Board as an important step towards a more coherent human rights protection system in Austria. (more...)