Law
Austria decides
In Austria the law of the European Union and the Austrian law remain both valid. Private disputes are only rarely held according to the legal system of a foreign country and only if it is consistent with the fundamental attitude of the Austrian legal system. Only Austrian courts are allowed to pass judgement about disputes, like divorce or alimony.
Equality for everybody
In all decisions of courts and authorities everybody is equal before the law. Men and Women are equal. Discriminations against sex, religion or skin colour are strictly prohibited. Only an Austrian citizenship can bring you a slight legal advancement..
Constitutional state for everybody
Everybody must observe the laws of the Austrian constitutional state. Cultural attitudes, which oppose the Austrian laws, are no justification for criminal acts. In Austria, for example a forced marriage in-country or abroad is prosecutable.
Rights and liberties
In Austria, human rights are adhered to. The human rights ensure many rights to each individual and protect his or her liberties. Laws, as well as authorities and courts (which execute these laws), protect and respect the human rights. In case of a violation of the human rights, you can appeal to an administrative authority or an independent court.
Ban on discrimination
Human rights apply to all people in Austria. However, in addition to it, some essential laws, like the right to vote on a federal and state level, only apply to Austrian citizens. In any case, nobody is privileged because of his or her gender, religion, origin or opinion.
Protection of property
In Austria, lawfully obtained property of each person is protected. There are only very few exceptions when an intrusion into proprietorship is justified.
Human rights
Freedom of opinion
An example of a daily important human right is the freedom of thoughts, conscience and religion. Everybody is free to have his or her own opinions and to belong to a religious community of his or her own choice and they are also allowed to change or to quit a religious community. People have also the right to meet and to found associations and unions. Everybody is allowed to express his or her own opinion. There is no censorship on media.
Limitations on freedom
However, the freedom of each individual has also limitations and these limitations are defined by the legislature. For example: it is prohibited to summon for hostile actions against groups of people or to represent inhuman ideas (like National Socialism or racism). If a person committed a crime and is sentenced by a court it is possible that his or her personal freedom is limited by the state and he or she is put into prison.
Source: Österreichischer Integrationsfonds (Austrian Integration Fund)