Austria’s xenophobia
Alarm bells are sure to be ringing in Austria’s corridors of power following pressure from the United Nations for the country to improve its stand on the rights of immigrants and asylum seekers.
The committee criticises the “frequently xenophobic” handling of refugees and immigrants by parties. Speeches of some politicians are “hateful”, declared the UN.
The association also stated that the discrimination of minorities in daily life such as discrimination in the job market and with rental accommodation “are worrying”.Thomas Hochwarter, Austrian Times
Hindus have asked all minorities in Austria to stand up and vote in the June, 2009 elections to European Parliament.
Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that strong voting by minorities was even more important in this election because of persistent discrimination, racism and xenophobia against ethnic minorities and immigrants in European Union (EU).
A recent survey by EU Agency for Fundamental Rights revealed that “discrimination, harassment and racially motivated violence are far more widespread than recorded in official statistics”.