"Racism Report 2004" is available for free - Zara

Racism Report 2004 Cases: Public Space Page 13
In the summer of 2004 ZARA receives a press release distributed by the Centre for Migrants in Tyrol (ZeMiT) 61
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about an article in the parish circular of Achenkirch in which the priest of Achenkirch describes Islam as an “avalanche
descending upon the vacuum of Europe. The vacuum of childlessness is currently filled by other peoples who
will eventually demand political power in proportion to their size … Islam wants to turn Europe Muslim … No-one can
guarantee that in a Europe dominated by Islam, radical forces will not come to power and that European Taliban will
not want to convert Europe into a ‘radical’ Islamic country … Jews and Christians would at best become “Dhinnis” or
second-class citizens, in the worst case they would be enslaved or persecuted.” The head of ZeMiT is bewildered by
the priest’s racist baiting and demands a clear renunciation by the church. We also received a number of outraged
calls from the inhabitants of Achenkirch. ZARA is asked to document the statement issued by ZeMiT.
In December 2004 Mr. Z. reports a speech by the MP Helene Partik-Pablé (FPÖ) to the plenary assembly in 62
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Parliament. In a subordinate clause she says the following: “… and if we continue to allow black African dealers to
seduce our children …” ZARA documents the incident.
Ms. F. calls ZARA’s attention to the General Forum of Vorarlberg Online. In order to suggest chat topics 63
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and to write contributions users of this website don’t have to register. There are topics such as “Turkish cemetery in
Hard”, “Foreigners Pro and Contra”, “What is a do-gooder?”, “Once more Turk: This time Shot in the Head”, “News from
the Multi-Culti Front”. Under the heading “Integration Impossible” the following postings are found: “It’s time for
some cleansing. Us Vorarlaberger ought to get organised like we did in the past, and close down the meeting places
of the murderers, rapists and terrorists as well as of all the Turks (…) Moreover, we want corporal punishment for all
Austrians who gorge themselves with Kebabs!” Or: “It can be said with 99% certainty of every violent offence that
it was committed by a Turk! And if it says “Austrian”, it’s in most cases a naturalised Turk.” A ZARA member of staff
contacted the editors of Vorarlberg Online and called their attention to this contribution. They thanked her for it
and deleted the entire section “Integration Impossible”. In future they will monitor the forum more closely for racist
and discriminating statements and are grateful for outside indications.
The media reported the following incident: On the first weekend in October, M., a participant of the 64
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German reality show Big Brother, first relates a disgusting joke about women without showing the least remorse and
then goes on to telling four anti-Semitic jokes and several Turkish jokes—all in front of the camera and the three
other participants there who instead of telling him off have a hearty laugh. At “Premiere” (the channel broadcasting
Big Brother live) no attempt is made to play down the incident. Consequently, the two editors in charge of the show
who allowed for this to happen are fired without notice. (At RTL, another channel broadcasting Big Brother, the passage
was cut while the participant M. was given a formal warning.) A few days after the incident, M. is kicked off the
show—according to Premiere for other reasons. The case is documented by ZARA as part of our media monitoring.
In August 2004, Mr. F. reports that the magazine “Wels im Bild” (a local monthly in the Upper Austrian 65
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town Wels) publishes racist text passages. After revising the texts, a letter of complaint is sent to the editors who
don’t respond. Subsequently a number of protest letters are sent to local companies advertising in the magazine and
thus contributing to its financing. Now, the editors of “Wels im Bild” react and claim they never received our letter. In
a meeting with the chief editor ZARA presents all the questionable passages while at the same time the May edition
of the magazine is thoroughly revised revealing no racist or discriminating texts or passages. The meeting goes very
well and it is agreed that the matter would be dealt with more carefully in future and plans are made to organise an
awareness raising seminar for all editors in 2005. The Wels Initiative Against Fascism also started a campaign against
the magazine, see http://derstandard.at/?id=1961269.
In August 2004 Mr. T. reports an article published by the district magazine “NÖ Anzeiger Hollabrunn” and 66
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written in a clearly racist language. ZARA’s letter of complaint remains unanswered. The magazine quotes the mayor
of Hollabrunn saying: “Every year when the Roma/Sinti are on their way to a big meeting in Hungary they pass
through Hollabrunn. This has to be tolerated for up to 48 hours.” The “NÖ Anzeiger Hollabrunn” has been using racist
terms and wordings in all its reports about this event since the year 2002. More details can be found in a report on
www.derstandard.at under http://derstandard.at/?id=1766202.
On July 13, 2004, the sports section of the daily “Krone” features a “dual image puzzle” with the following 67
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motive: A European is sitting in a pot while an African with more than obvious features is stirring the pot and a sign
in front of the inn is saying “Here the Chef is cooking”. Mr. W. calls ZARA’s attention to the picture puzzle. A ZARA
member of staff writes a letter of complaint to the “Krone” board of editors and for once a positive reaction follows:
It is assured on part of the paper that in future no such drawings will ever be published again. The editor apologises
for having failed to prevent the publication. The reply letter is forwarded to the client.