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Socialist International
Women is deeply concerned about recent developments in Austria
which resulted in the far-right Freedom Party joining the Austrian
government.
Massive demonstrations
in Vienna and other capitals against the government showed the
emotions of thousands of people in Europe and beyond.
Far-right parties violate
the principles of freedom and democracy and denigrate women's
rights. The inclusion of the Freedom Party, proponent of xenophobia
and intolerance, may endanger the enlargement of the European
Union.
Socialist International
Women therefore:
welcomes the
rejection of the participation of the Freedom Party in the Austrian
government by the European Parliament;
deplores the
abolition of the Austrian Ministry for Women;
denounces the
planned cuts in expenditure on social services which will affect
especially women; and
calls on its
member organisations to support the Austrian Social Democratic
Women in fighting racism and xenophobia.
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