Hass crimes against homosexuals: Austria in horror for violence!

Hass crimes against homosexuals: Austria in horror for violence!

A shocking case of violence against homosexuals put Austria into turmoil: A total of 16 men and women were arrested in seven federal states for large -scale raids on Friday morning for suspected hate crimes. These missions in which around 400 police officers and special units were involved, among other things, discovered weapons and Nazi devotionals. The victims, including at least 17 homosexual men, were severely abused, robbed and humiliated. In one of the cases, there is even the suspicion of the attempt to murder, which further reinforces the worrying wave of hate crimes.

More and more hate crimes against LGBTIQ+Personal: According to lawyer Helmut Graupner, these rose by 20 percent in Austria to 2023. He describes the current situation as a "completely new dimension" and points out that only eight percent of those affected report such attacks. This creates a breeding ground for further acts of violence, while 60 percent of the LGBTIQ+community have already experienced harassment, as can be seen from a report by the EU fundamental right-wing agency. Politicians, such as the SPÖ equal treatment spokesman Mario Lindner, are horrified by the rising hatred and emphasize the urgent need to counteract these crimes, precisely because the perpetrators are having their attacks as a self-justice.

a worrying pattern

The reports on organized groups that carry out serious crimes against homosexual people also result in political reactions. David Stögmüller from the Greens emphasizes that the increasing spread of prejudices and fake news from right-wing extremists circles has a direct consequence for the security of LGBTIQ+person. These questionable tendencies, observed in authoritarian states, are now also showing worrying parallels in Austria. The political answer emphasizes the urgency of a clear attitude against queer hostility at all levels - from the judiciary to the digital world. The investigative authorities recognize the drama of the situation and treat these hate crimes as what they are: heavy, organized attacks from pure hatred.

For further information on the incidents and the facts described, see also the reporting on Noen.at and Kleinezeitung.at