WOMEN’S AND GIRLS’ RIGHTS DISCRIMINATION By year’s end 26 women had been killed in suspected femicides, amid concerns regarding the lack of sustainable strategies to prevent such violence. Abortion had not been fully decriminalized. Access to affordable and safe abortion was limited due to its exclusion from the healthcare system. Reforms to the care system presented by the Ministry of Social Affairs in June still failed to grant fair remuneration and social security to live-in care workers, the majority of whom were migrant women. Law enforcement continued to use facial recognition technology without a clear legal basis, despite its potential discriminatory impact. Austria failed to ensure human-rights compliant anti-discrimination legislation at federal and regional levels. According to two NGOs, there was a rise in the number of reported antisemitic and antiMuslim incidents during the year. FREEDOM OF PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY At several protests in Vienna, the capital, police prevented journalists from observing and reporting protests. Decision-makers publicly suggested criminalizing climate activists for their forms of protest and civil disobedience, in particular for blocking streets. On 11 October, police banned a proPalestinian protest in Vienna, citing national security concerns. Despite the ban, the protest took place. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION In October, a freedom of information law was proposed that fell short of international standards because it exempted most municipalities from an active obligation to publish information of general interest. There was a worrying increase in the number of attacks on press freedom and strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP) suits against journalists and human rights activists.2 REFUGEES’ AND MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS In the context of ongoing disappearances of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, Austria still failed to adopt federal provisions ensuring guardianship for such minors on their arrival, despite an existing legislative proposal by the Ministry of Justice. In June, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture described conditions for migrants awaiting deportation as appalling, dilapidated and dirty.3 86 DETAINEES’ RIGHTS In June, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture expressed concern about prison conditions, including mental healthcare provision, the use of solitary confinement and the treatment of juveniles. UNLAWFUL USE OF FORCE Police accountability for unlawful use of force remained inadequate. In March, the police used pepper spray and batons unnecessarily and disproportionately against climate activists at a protest in Vienna. Parliament approved a police oversight body to be established in 2024, although there were concerns over its independence. Police were still not required to wear identification badges, which continued to impede accountability. RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL Austria’s Federal Administrative Court had no formal leadership throughout the year. Other high functions within the judiciary also remained vacant due to suspected cronyism. The Minister of Justice remained responsible for instructing prosecutors in ongoing proceedings. RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT Austria’s climate action, including the sustainable reduction of carbon emissions, was not on track to reach its targets. The government also failed to adopt a climate action law. The State of the World’s Human Rights