Laws Against Radical Islam in Lower Austria Confronted with Criticism

The Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGÖ) criticized the legislative package against radical Islam passed on Wednesday in the Lower Austrian state parliament on Friday. A statement warned against generalizations and symbolic politics. IGGÖ President Ümit Vural also identified a "setback for the rule of law."

IGGÖ: "Doubly Staged"

The legislative package uses general attributions and legally undefined terms such as "radical Islamist," "disrespectful," or "unwilling to integrate," the IGGÖ emphasized. This vagueness opens up "dangerous leeway for arbitrary interpretations."

"Particularly problematic are interventions in constitutionally protected areas such as labor law sanctions for vague association membership or higher penalties for parents of kindergarten children," the statement noted. Socially disadvantaged families would be additionally burdened by this. The enacted ban on veiling in public service was also criticized, as it is "doubly staged" in light of the general ban on veiling.

"The action plan places Muslim religiosity under general suspicion of extremism and creates a climate of mistrust," said Vural. "True integration needs dialogue, education, and trust - not control and political quick fixes."

ÖVP, FPÖ and SPÖ Supported Package Against Radical Islam

In the state parliament on Wednesday, ÖVP, FPÖ, and SPÖ voted for the package. A separate vote was held on the changes in kindergartens, which were also supported by the Greens and NEOS.

In Lower Austria, the obligation of guardians of kindergarten children to cooperate will be expanded from September 1. In cases of repeated violations - for example, if the mandatory parent-teacher meeting is refused - fines of up to 2,500 euros may be imposed. Additionally, kindergarten operators will be able to issue house rules in the future. The state constitution will include democratic values as well as traditions and customs in the existing target provisions.

ÖVP Lower Austria: "Incomprehensible"

"It is incomprehensible that the IGGÖ opposes our legislative package," responded Matthias Zauner, state manager of the ÖVP Lower Austria. "We are taking measures against radical Islamic movements that reject our values, threaten our freedom, and sow violence - and not against Muslims who behave lawfully and decently," said Zauner in a statement. "If the IGGÖ generalizes here, it is a development in the wrong direction. Because the Muslim community must also be protected from these extremist tendencies. Anyone who does not recognize this harms social cohesion." Those who fall into a "reflexive defensive stance" in light of the legislative package "consciously ignore the necessity of these measures."

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.