Asylum: Upper Austria Ensures Premiere with Basic Rule Courses

As the first federal state, Upper Austria has introduced basic rule courses for asylum seekers in its state facilities, following the federal model. These courses aim to familiarize refugees with local social norms. However, it is merely an orientation measure and not an integration measure, clarified the responsible state councilor Christian Dörfel (ÖVP) on Wednesday during the presentation in Linz.

Currently, 3,000 asylum seekers in Upper Austria are waiting in basic care accommodations for the outcome of their procedures, 180 of them in federal accommodations and the others in state quarters. One of these is in Traun, where 40 asylum seekers are currently residing. The basic rule courses have already started as a pilot there, and Marchtrenk is also a pilot region. By the end of the year, the courses are to be rolled out to all facilities, currently 196, according to the state councilor. This is possible due to the low number of asylum seekers.

"Upper Austria Edition"

The content was developed in collaboration between the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) and the Federal Agency for Care and Support Services, based on the basic rule courses already running in federal facilities. According to Dörfel, the "Upper Austria Edition" consists of five modules, each lasting 90 minutes. These are divided into the topics "Culture and Social Norms," "Rights and Duties," "Democracy, Rule of Law, and Fundamental Freedoms," "Equality," and "Anti-Semitism," explained ÖIF Director Franz Wolf. The courses are conducted in German and translated by an interpreter, and the ÖIF has already trained the first eleven trainers for Upper Austria.

Essentially, it is about conveying everyday behaviors for a "peaceful and prosperous coexistence" in (Upper) Austria, such as shaking hands as a form of greeting, Dörfel cited as an example. Every asylum seeker must complete the course, and refusal may lead to consequences. For instance, a lack of willingness to cooperate could be considered in the asylum procedure.

(APA/Red)

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