Deportations trigger public and political debate on asylum and immigration policies in Austria

Policy Response DateSeptember 26, 2007 Country: Austria Address: Vienna General Type: Racist discourse, Equality/Integration Racism and discrimination phenomena: Anti-migrant/xenophobia, Nationalism
Groups affected / Interested in: Migrants, Refugees, Asylum seekers Key socio-economic/institutional areas: Policing - law enforcement, Political discourse -parties - orgs

On September 26th, 2007 a father and his four sons were deported to Kosovo, the daughter disappeared; since then, the mother has been in the hospital following a nervous breakdown. After several years, the asylum applications of the Zogaj family were rejected. Also their last hope to stay in Austria, namely a residence title on humanitarian grounds, was destroyed by the Minister of the Interior. Via text and video messages the daughter, Arigona, threatened to commit suicide in case of her deportation.
Deportations and imminent deportations of integrated families and persons triggered an intense public and political debate. Experts and NGOs criticised the procedure of granting humanitarian residence titles as being an act of grace and repeatedly pointed out the violation of Art 8 ECHR. Whereas thousands of people have been demonstrating in support of the Zogaj family and for fair asylum and immigration policies, the Minister of the Interior, Günther Platter, made clear that “a politician can't fall over every time the wind blows. The laws must be enforced”. The Greens requested a special session in the Austrian parliament.

After immense political debate the Zogaj family was issued a visa and returned to Austria on November 24th, 2010.

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