VIENNA

Racist incidents in Austria surged by 26% in 2024, with 1,647 cases recorded, according to a report released Thursday.

The report by ZARA - Civil Courage & Anti-Racism Work found that the internet was the most common setting for racist attacks.

Specifically, 61% of racist incidents occurred on digital platforms, followed by 13% in public spaces, 11% in entertainment and service venues, and 8% in public institutions.

Of the reported cases, 79% were submitted by witnesses, while 21% came from victims.

The report suggests this trend may reflect a lack of trust in law enforcement, with many believing that reporting racist incidents to police does not lead to meaningful action.

Racism in health care ‘life-threatening risk’

Presenting the report, ZARA Director Rita Isiba highlighted that this year’s findings placed a particular focus on racism in health care.

She noted that migrants and people of migrant backgrounds often face discrimination in medical institutions, with their complaints ignored and their pain dismissed.

"When racism determines the quality of medical care a person receives, it can pose a life-threatening risk. Our work shows that victims lack effective complaint mechanisms and protection measures," Isiba said.

Emphasizing that the documented cases reveal a structural problem rather than isolated incidents, she called for consistent action from policymakers and highlighted the role of civil society in combating racism.