There were no reports of political or other extrajudicial killings. There were no reports of politically motivated disappearances. Forty-three persons who had filed complaints were sued for slander or resisting the police. The Interior Minister who entered office in April stated that he had ordered prompt and unbiased investigations of police brutality complaints. Although he noted that Austria had sufficient instruments to protect citizens against illegitimate use of police force, he added that he was striving to strengthen police training on human rights.
Prison conditions meet minimum international standards.
The Government is a party to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which includes a provision for human rights monitoring missions. In individual cases, investigating judges or prison directors have jurisdiction over questions of access. The Constitution prohibits arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile, and the Government observes this prohibition. The grounds required for such investigative detention are specified in the law, as are conditions for bail. The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary, and the Government respects this provision in practice.