In Austria, people convicted for their homosexuality will be able to receive compensation
In Austria, a law which comes into force this Thursday, February 1 will allow the rehabilitation and compensation of thousands of people convicted because of their homosexuality. Although homosexuality was decriminalized in the country in 1971, discriminatory legal exceptions continued to exist until the 2000s which led to the conviction of thousands of Austrians.
Entry into force in Austria of a law allowing the State to compensate LGBT+ victims prosecuted in court. Illustrative image. Getty Images - PhotoStock-Israel
By: RFI Follow
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From our correspondent in Vienna
,
Isaure Hiace
In 1999, 19-year-old Michael Woditschka had a brief affair with a 17-year-old young man. Some time later, to his great surprise, he received a summons from the police. It was during his interrogation, which he described as humiliating, that he discovered that the age of consent was set at 18 for sexual relations between men. This will be the case in
Austria
until 2002, even though this age is set at 14 years for heterosexual relations. Michael Woditschka is therefore fined. Twenty-five years later, the feeling of injustice remains.
“
Branded
”
“
I was brought before a state institution not because I committed a murder, but because I tried to love, to live. And the worst part is that everyone could know. If I had applied for a job and they asked for a criminal record, then they would have read that I had engaged in fornication with a minor, and I would not have gotten the job. I was lucky that this didn't happen but many have experienced it. They were stigmatized, branded, and many were imprisoned
.”
Compensation of up to 3,000 euros
He can now request compensation of up to 3,000 euros. But the important thing for him is the apology from the Austrian Republic. “
It is a good thing that a Minister of Justice is saying today: 'we are sorry and it is important to us as a government that homosexuals are treated equally, including by the State'. “It’s all the more important as there are certain people who would like to go back
.”
11,000 people can now claim this rehabilitation.
Also read: Homophobia: a global scourge
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