Human rights are being put increasingly under pressure worldwide as well as in Austria. Politicians are more frequently questioning human rights or even calling for the removal of regulations and guarantees. At the same time, the human rights challenges we face – be it the growing pressure on journalists, the inadequate protection of women and girls from gender-based violence or the lack of government action against climate change – are striking and require a stronger political debate.

Right before the Austrian national council election on 29 September 2024, the Human Rights Talk invites the human rights spokespersons of the campaigning parties to a debate. The event will provide an opportunity to examine and compare the positions of the political parties. How do they deal with different human rights challenges in the areas of climate change, women’s rights, social rights, digitalization and migration, and what solutions do they propose? The panel discussion aims to sketch out a comprehensive picture of potential future paths for human rights policy in Austria.

Welcome Notes

• Michael Lysander Fremuth, Scientific Director, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights; Professor of Fundamental and Human Rights, University of Vienna

Panel Discussion

• Georg Bürstmayr, Member of Parliament and Spokesperson for Home Affairs, Security and Asylum Policy, Club of Green Members of the National Council, Federal Council and European Parliament
• Susanne Fürst (tbc), Member of Parliament and Spokesperson for Human Rights, Parliamentary Group of the Freedom Party
• Gudrun Kugler, Member of Parliament and Spokesperson for Human Rights and Displaced Persons, Parliamentary Group of the Austrian People’s Party
• Nikolaus Scherak, Member of Parliament and Spokesperson for Constitution and Human Rights, NEOS Parliamentary Group
• Harald Troch, Member of Parliament and Spokesperson for Human Rights, Minorities, Ethnic Groups and Displaced Persons, Club of Social Democratic Members of the National Council, Federal Council and European Parliament

Chair

• Barbara Helige, President of the Austrian League of Human Rights

Further information can be found in the download area. Participation is free of charge, but we kindly ask you to register at https://eveeno.com/176676018 by Tuesday, 10 September 2024.