Celebrities from Art and Culture Demand a Clear Stance in Dealing with Right-Wing Extremism

In an open letter from the Mauthausen Committee Austria (MKÖ) and the Upper Austrian Network against Racism and Right-Wing Extremism, prominent figures, especially from the arts and culture, have urged the government to take stronger action against right-wing extremism. The 76 signatories - including Nobel Prize-winning author Elfriede Jelinek and painter Christian Ludwig Attersee - demand more speed in the National Action Plan and awareness of the Prohibition Act within the judiciary.

Record High of Right-Wing Extremist Crimes - Is the Government Reacting Too Slowly?

In 2024, there was an "all-time high" with 1,486 right-wing extremist crimes. Sporadic actions such as raids in the right-wing extremist scene are welcome, but "can in no way replace a National Action Plan, the development of which has been postponed for years!" criticized MKÖ Chairman Willi Mernyi on Wednesday in a statement. A comprehensive concept for effective combat against right-wing extremism is lacking. The development of a National Action Plan is planned, as it is included in the government program of the black-red-pink coalition. However, it is still not being developed, the letter criticizes.

Appeal to the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice

The letter is specifically addressed to Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) and Justice Minister Anna Sporrer (SPÖ), criticizing that Austria's anti-fascist mandate is being increasingly neglected by security authorities and the judiciary. Parts of the police and the intelligence service are accused by the organizations of a "very right-leaning approach," which Karner should not tolerate. This includes the operation at the South Carinthian memorial site Peršmanhof.

The accusation against the judiciary is that proceedings for right-wing extremist crimes are increasingly being dropped. In 2024, the number of convictions under the Prohibition Act decreased from 211 to 177 compared to the previous year, while the number of dismissals increased from 1,529 to 2,022 by a third. This is a "development towards impunity," based on wrong decisions by the judiciary. Broad-based training measures are needed here to raise awareness of the importance of the Prohibition Act.

The letter was signed by numerous personalities from the arts and culture, such as actors Maria Hofstätter, Birgit Minichmayr, or Michael Ostrowski, but also by legal experts like Heinz Mayer and Maria Windhager. Additionally, representatives from, among others, the Catholic Action Austria, the NS Documentation Center Munich, and the IG Authors' Association signed the letter.

Support Also from the Opposition

Support also came from the Greens. "Instead of consistent action against right-wing extremists, we are increasingly seeing reprisals against anti-fascists," criticized right-wing extremism spokesperson Lukas Hammer in a statement. The Greens will therefore submit a motion for the creation of a National Action Plan against right-wing extremism in the next National Council session.

(APA/Red)

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