“Despite a well-established human rights system, Austria still needs to bridge some remaining gaps, in particular as concerns the rights of asylum-seekers, women and persons with disabilities” said Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks, publishing a report based on the findings of his visit to Austria last 4-6 June.

“Access of asylum-seekers to the labour market should be extended, including by granting young asylum-seekers permission to take up an apprenticeship and thus benefit from vocational training. The quality of free legal aid and representation could also be strengthened and made available during the entire asylum procedure and thereafter, including during deportation procedures.”

Underpinning the necessary efforts to close the gaps is a well-functioning system for the protection and promotion of human rights. The Commissioner commends Austria’s well-established system, which is being further complemented by a strengthening of the Austrian Ombudsman Board. In the field of combating discrimination, however, “there is still room for improvement: the Austrian authorities should afford the same level of protection across the different grounds of discrimination and ratify Protocol No. 12 to the European Convention on Human Rights”, which provides for a general prohibition of discrimination. (more...)

- Read the report

- Read also: Austria and the Council of Europe