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This UPR tool reflects the global recommendations made to Austria by all countries world-wide during the Universial Priodic Review process (UPR) at the UN Human Rights Council and their current status of implementation. The League coordinates a significant part of Austrian civil society in the UPR process. 

The recommendations can be filtered in the menu below by human rights topics, SDGs, proponent states etc. also a search function is available. 

 

We welcome your comments and suggestions at upr@liga.or.at.

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Progress: In progress

Investigate reports and identify child victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice

Proponent:

Botswana


Republic of Botswana

Botswana


Republic of Botswana

Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Dec 31, 2024):

Austria has clear provisions against human trafficking in its criminal law, including criminal sanctions of up to ten years for serious cases. Nevertheless, law enforcement should be further strengthened and it should be ensured that perpetrators are effectively prosecuted and convicted, while victim protection and access to legal assistance are improved. With regard to measures to combat human trafficking, including child trafficking, the Federal Government has set extensive goals in the areas of prevention, victim protection, prosecution and monitoring in its National Action Plan 2021-2023.   The sixth National Action Plan for Combating Human Trafficking for the years 2021 to 2023 is available as a PDF on the website of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (see: https://www.bmeia.gv.at/fileadmin/user_upload/Zentrale/Aussenpolitik/Menschenrechte/Beilage_1_VI._Nationaler_Aktionsplan_zur_Bekaempfung_des_Menschenhandels__NAP__2021-2023.pdf). A key challenge remains the identification of trafficked persons in the area of labour exploitation, the guarantee of residence security for these persons and the implementation of measures against child trafficking and sexual exploitation. In addition, the collection of relevant data in these areas poses a further difficulty. Every year on the European Day against Trafficking in Human Beings, the Austrian Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings/MFAO, in partnership with Liechtenstein, organises a conference on current implementation challenges (further information can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs: https://www.bmeia.gv.at/themen/menschenrechte/kampf-gegen-den-menschenhandel/ available). 

Progress: In progress

Take further measures to harmonize protection standards for victims of child trafficking throughout its territory, and refine its data collection to cover all forms of trafficking and sexual exploitation of children

Proponent:

Sri Lanka


Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka


Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Dec 31, 2024):

A working group on child trafficking coordinated by the Federal Criminal Police Office (Family) as part of the interministerial task force against human trafficking presented a concept for an Austria-wide protection centre for trafficked children in 2021, which has not yet been implemented. However, a revision of „guidelines for action“ for those involved in identifying and protecting victims of child trafficking, which is planned by the Child Trafficking Working Group in 2023, depends on this and should enable a more harmonised approach across the country. There are also deficits in the area of legal protection for children, including access to compensation. A key challenge remains the identification of trafficked persons in the area of labour exploitation, the guarantee of residence security for these persons and the implementation of measures against child trafficking and sexual exploitation. In addition, the collection of relevant data in these areas poses a further difficulty. Every year on the European Day against Trafficking in Human Beings, the Austrian Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings/MFAO, in partnership with Liechtenstein, organises a conference on current implementation challenges (further information can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs: https://www.bmeia.gv.at/themen/menschenrechte/kampf-gegen-den-menschenhandel/ available). 

Progress: No progress

Adopt a comprehensive strategy to eliminate discriminatory stereotypes of women and their portrayal as sexual objects, and ensure that children are educated about responsible sexual behaviour

Proponent:

Marshall Islands


Republic of Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands


Republic of Marshall Islands

Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Apr 1, 2025):

Sexuality education for children and adolescents in Austria faces several challenges. Although it is anchored in education, its implementation remains inconsistent and often inadequate. According to the WHO standards on sexuality education, teaching should promote a social climate of tolerance and openness and respect the diversity of genders and sexual identities (see WHO standards: https://www.sexualerziehung.at/hintergrundinformation-und-begriffserklaerungen/). However, many schools focus heavily on topics such as self-determination and pleasure, which leads to an incomplete discussion of sexuality (see GIVE Service Centre for Health Promotion in Austrian Schools, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection and the Austrian Youth Red Cross: https://give.or.at/gv2021/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Give_Sexualerziehung2021.pdf). In addition, sex education is often not sufficiently aligned with the respective developmental phases of young people. There is a lack of resources and specialists who are able to organise lessons in an age-appropriate and sensitive manner. As a result, many important topics, such as dealing with media, violence in relationships or sexual health, are often not addressed. Another problem is the social debate about gender ideologies and the role of the family. These discussions influence the curriculum and can lead to parents and teachers feeling unsure about how to approach the topics. Overall, although the situation in Austria is regulated by law, in practice there are many challenges and deficits in sexuality education for children and young people.
  As part of the Government Plan 2025-2029, the federal government is launching a process to improve child and youth services, harmonise standards and provide funding for cross-sectoral projects (see Government Plan 2025-2029: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/bundeskanzleramt/die-bundesregierung/regierungsdokumente.html). In 2022, the Austrian Women’s Fund LEA was founded to make a long-term strategic contribution to overcoming discriminatory stereotypes with regard to the roles and tasks of women and men. This fund offers various services, including school workshops with role models and the organisation of webinars, for example on the topic of financial education (Further information: https://letsempoweraustria.at/).  
In both 2022 and 2021, the Women’s Section initiated the „Empowerment Call“ with the aim of breaking down gender stereotypes in the area of education and career choices.  In September 2021, a comprehensive package of measures was presented aimed at strengthening women and girls with a migration background in their fight against patriarchal structures and cultures of honour. Part of these measures includes the expansion of counselling services in the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) centres (ÖIF package of measures as PDF: https://www.integrationsfonds.at/fileadmin/user_upload/20210604_Frauenaufruf_2021_Aufrufdokument.pdf). 

Redaktionelle Verantwortung UPR-Tool:

Österreichische Liga für Menschenrechte, upr@liga.or.at

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Unterstützung durch:

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