Staatsgrundgesetz#

Fundamental Laws governing the general rights of the citizens were passed on December 21, 1867; they laid down the fundamental rights and the right of personal liberty of citizens of the Austrian half of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and, with amendments (freedom of art, data protection), are still part of the Austrian Constitution. These fundamental laws of a liberal state under the rule of law were established to protect individual liberty against encroachment by the state authority. A commission which forms part of the Federal Chancellery (since 1964) has been working out a new body of laws with due regard to fundamental social rights (e.g. the right to work) on the basis of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Literature#