SOS human rights
SOS Human Rights Austria is an Upper Austrian NGO that is particularly involved in refugee aid.
Foundation and goals
On the occasion of the FPÖ 's referendum for foreigners, massive resistance from civil society also mobilized in Upper Austria and ultimately led to participation in the Vienna Sea of Lights in January and the establishment of the SOS Mitmensch Upper Austria association in April 1993, as a sister association of SOS Mitmensch . The commitment to a humane policy on foreigners and the protection of human rights resulted in the association's goals: care for deportation detainees , aid to refugees and education about human rights.
In 2000, the association was renamed SOS Human Rights Austria "to enable independent and nationwide engagement".
Focus of work
The first focus of activity is the care, accompaniment, legal advice and accommodation of refugees in Upper Austria. On behalf of the state, the association operates:
- the refugee dormitory Linz / Rudolfstraße (since 1996)
- a shared apartment for unaccompanied minor refugees (since 2000) and
- the aftercare facility for young adult women NOEMI (since 2004).
The second focus is on education relating to human rights . The association strives to convey its concerns in an age-appropriate manner and with the project “Stand up! Human Rights in Practice “developed an educational program for schools, youth organizations and adult education institutions. The institution also organizes a series of lectures on human rights issues in the Linz Tower of Knowledge , which can then also be heard on radio FRO 105.0 . In autumn 2014, this series dealt with the topic of the right to work . The speakers were Ursula Engelen-Kefer , Margit Appel , Marianne Schulze and Monika Mayrhofer .
The association has around 1,500 members, employs 25 people and two civil servants , as well as a number of voluntary helpers. It is politically and denominationally independent, as well as non-profit.
Networking
SOS Menschenrechte was or is involved in the following Austrian platforms: in the Asylum Coordination Austria , in the Klagsverband to enforce the rights of victims of discrimination , in the platform right to stay and the platform now set an example! . The association also participates in a number of Upper Austrian networks, such as the Antifa network, the Land der Menschen project - Approaching one another , the Pact of Diversity and the Upper Austrian Housing Platform .
Awards (selection)
- 2000 Human Rights Prize of the State of Upper Austria
- 2001 Prize of the City of Linz for integrative youth work
- 2012 recognition award of the city of Linz "City of Cultures 2012" for outstanding intercultural engagement
- 2013 Integration Prize of the City of Linz in the "Women and Integration" category