2023-10-10 18:32:08
Current debate between MPs and Justice Minister Zadić
Vienna (PK) – All five parliamentary groups condemn Azerbaijan’s military actions, which have caused a mass exodus of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh. In that of the ÖVP, SPÖ, Greens and NEOS today Human Rights Committee The proposal, which was presented and unanimously accepted, asks the Federal Government, among other things, to work at all levels for de-escalation, the protection of minority rights and the approval of humanitarian aid for the local civilian population.
A discussion with Justice Minister Alma Zadić focused primarily on protection from violence and children’s rights in a national and European context. Zadić strongly condemned Hamas’ terror in Israel – as did the Austrian parliament.
Motions from the opposition parties were postponed by the majority of the ÖVP and the Greens.
Four-party motion condemns Azerbaijan’s military action in Nagorno-Karabakh
In a committee motion jointly submitted by the ÖVP, SPÖ, Greens and NEOS, all political groups condemn Azerbaijan’s military actions, which caused a mass exodus of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians from the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The Federal Government, especially the Foreign Minister, should continue to represent this position in all international committees and in bilateral discussions and work for de-escalation and the resumption of dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia. In addition, it must be ensured that the remaining population in Nagorno-Karabakh is given unrestricted access to vital goods in the long term and that minority rights and cultural assets are protected. For urgently needed humanitarian aid, international humanitarian organizations also need unhindered access to Nagorno-Karabakh. In order to further stabilize the refugee situation, Armenia, as a priority country for Austrian development cooperation, should continue to receive the necessary funds, according to the application. The basis for the initiative was also a four-party motion that was submitted before the mass exodus of Armenians and was passed along with the resolution (3629/A(E)).
All MPs who spoke up were pleased with the cross-party solidarity. Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic (Greens) emphasized that it is an ethnic cleansing, even if it is currently out of the media focus due to other events. For SPÖ mandater Robert Laimer, the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh must not remain without consequences. Both MPs criticized Turkey’s role, which, according to Ernst-Dziedzic, was “keeping Azerbaijan’s back.” If Laimer has his way, Chancellor Karl Nehammer should also address this critically during his current visit to Turkey.
Hannes Amesbauer (FPÖ) spoke of important and worthy causes. He was also interested in the extent to which discussions were being held with representatives of Azerbaijan in Austria. The parliamentary friendship group for the South Caucasus is in dialogue with all parties to the conflict, said its chairman Andreas Minnich (ÖVP). The discussions would continue during the next plenary sessions.
It is a shocking situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, but the federal government’s stance on it is clear, emphasized Gudrun Kugler (ÖVP). Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, for example, assured that he would provide increased support to the Armenian population.
Justice Minister Zadić is in favor of setting up violence clinics
“There is no justification for terror,” said Justice Minister Zadić during a committee debate, expressing solidarity with Israel. She considers the solidarity of all parliamentary parties to be very important. The terrible terrorist attack by Hamas had triggered a dangerous escalation, she said. In this context, SPÖ mandate Robert Laimer brought up pro-Palestinian gatherings in Austria. Although freedom of assembly is a “great good”, the Minister of Justice felt it was important to note that this right should not be abused. After all, Hamas is listed as a terrorist organization and condoning terrorist acts is a criminal offense. Where a Hamas flag is being waved, action can be taken, she said.
Zadić sees a need for the establishment of violence clinics as a measure to protect against violence. This low-threshold offer is needed in hospitals, ideally in the form of mobile teams, so that evidence can be documented in court and used in the proceedings, she told Meri Disoski (Greens). The representative had brought up the low conviction rate for violence against women. The minister hopes that the violence clinics will increase the quota. According to Faika El-Nagashi (Greens), incorrect translations by court interpreters often occur in the context of cases of sexual violence. Appropriate sensitization would be important, said Zadić. Although there is no mandatory training, if the interpreters have such training, this can be taken into account for a procedure, she said.
The planned EU regulation on preventing and combating child sexual abuse, which provides for extensive reporting regulations for private companies, was also discussed. While Zadić supports the basic intention, she, like El-Nagashi (Greens), expressed fundamental and data protection concerns due to “groundless mass surveillance”. Susanne Fürst (FPÖ) discussed the child protection package presented by the government, which the National Council’s Justice Committee will deal with on Thursday. The minister said the phenomenon of depictions of child abuse should be addressed holistically.
When asked by Gudrun Kugler (ÖVP) about the surrogacy problem using the example of the dramatic situation in Ukraine, the Justice Minister said that child welfare comes first and that the ban on surrogacy should not be circumvented. The European Parliament called it a “form of exploitation”. The consequences of the war would raise many legal problems and ethical questions, especially for vulnerable women. In general, there are currently no investigations underway in Austria in connection with the war against Ukraine, the Justice Minister also informed Christian Drobits (SPÖ). Russia’s war of aggression was a “wake-up call” for the Western Balkans to move closer to the EU, Zadić told Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic (Greens). The biggest problem there is the lack of constitutional criteria and corruption.
Johann Weber (ÖVP) asked about ensuring human rights standards in the implementation of measures at home. According to Zadić, this is a sensitive matter and the next reform step should make accommodation more compliant. The draft includes the expansion of individual social training, probation assistance and therapy offerings and is currently being finalized. Martin Engelberg (ÖVP) and Nikolaus Scherak (NEOS) were informed that the coalition partners agreed on covering costs for long-term criminal proceedings. Budget negotiations would be ongoing. When asked by NEOS MPs Stephanie Krisper and Nikolaus Scherak about vacant management positions in the Federal Administrative Court, the Supreme Court and the Data Protection Authority, the Minister of Justice asked for patience with reference to coordination discussions.
Applications from SPÖ, FPÖ and NEOS postponed
The motions for resolutions being discussed by the opposition parties were postponed once again by a majority of the ÖVP and the Greens. Against the background of the tense situation on the domestic housing market, the SPÖ is committed to enshrining a “right to housing” in the state constitution (2437/A). Measures such as tenant protection and social housing are intended to ensure that a sufficient number of apartments are available at appropriate prices and conditions.
In order to effectively combat child marriages, the FPÖ is calling on the federal government to provide detailed statistics on marriages of minors in Austria (1460/A(E)). In Austria, people are only allowed to get married from the age of 18 or, in exceptional cases, from the age of 16, but it cannot be ruled out that minors can also live together as spouses, the group states in the application.
The NEOS is concerned about a planned EU regulation to combat the depiction of child abuse. According to the opposition faction, a comprehensive, automated analysis of private chats, messages and emails by the respective providers is planned, which would de facto mean mass surveillance without cause and an abolition of digital correspondence secrecy (2445/A(E)). (End) fan/med
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