RIGHTS OF REFUGEES AND ASYLUMSEEKERS In February it was announced that contracts with civil society organizations providing legal advice to asylum-seekers were to be terminated at the end of the year and the responsibility given to an agency embedded in the Ministry of Interior. Concerns were raised by several organizations about the potential implications for the fairness of the asylum procedure.2 Between January and March, 37 Afghan nationals whose asylum claims had been rejected were deported to Afghanistan, in violation of the principle of non-refoulement which prohibits states from returning individuals to a country where they would be at real risk of serious human rights violations. There were no deportations to Afghanistan from April to November due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but in December, Austria resumed deportations to Afghanistan and 10 further Afghan nationals were deported. The Federal Government continued to refuse to accept asylum-seekers from the Greek islands, despite a resolution by the Vienna State Parliament committing to receive 100 asylum-seeking children for relocation.
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION According to civil society organizations, from the beginning of the pandemic there was a significant increase in abuse and attacks online, especially against Muslims, Black people and refugees. In December, a controversial bill regulating hate speech online was approved by Parliament. Several organizations raised concerns that the bill was overly broad.
EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE In January, the newly elected government committed to establishing an independent investigation and complaints mechanism for allegations of ill-treatment and excessive use of force by police. In August, over 40 individuals and civil society organizations, in a joint letter to the responsible ministries,
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urged the creation of an independent and effective mechanism. They also expressed concern that the lack of identification badges for law enforcement officials was hindering access to justice.2
COUNTER-TERRORISM AND SECURITY Following a terrorist attack in Vienna in November, authorities dissolved a number of Muslim associations on the basis of problematic procedures. In December, the government proposed several law reforms related to terrorism which gave rise to concerns about how some of the new provisions may impact the human rights of particular groups of people. 1. Kurzanalyse: Soziale Menschenrechte und COVID-19: Amnesty Fordert Verfassungsänderung in Österreich (Press release, 1 July, in German only) 2. Austria: Human rights challenges persist - Amnesty International submission for the UN Universal Periodic Review, 37th Periodic Review (EUR 13/2855/2020)
AZERBAIJAN Republic of Azerbaijan Head of state: Ilham Aliyev Head of government: Ali Asadov The civilian population suffered widespread human rights abuses as a result of heavy fighting that erupted between Azerbaijan and Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh in September. Conflict-related violence led to deaths, injuries, destruction of livelihoods and displacement. Authorities intensified a clampdown on dissent using the conflict with Armenia and the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext. Dozens of opposition leaders and activists were arbitrarily arrested and detained. Freedoms of assembly and expression were further restricted in response to growing public discontent; freedom of association remained curtailed. Lawyers were harassed and reports of torture and other illtreatment of government critics in detention remained widespread.
Amnesty International Report 2020/21
