Volksgruppengesetz#

Ethnic Minorities, Law on (Volksgruppengesetz), federal law of 7 July, 1976, on the legal status of ethnic groups in Austria. The Law on Ethnic Minorities defines ethnic groups as groups of Austrian citizens who live in parts of Austrian territory, whose mother tongue is not German and who share a common folklore and traditions. The preservation and continuation of ethnic groups are to be achieved by the following measures: 1) Establishment of advisory boards for ethnic groups to support the federal government and the competent federal minister on matters relating to ethnic groups. As of 2000, such groups have been set up on the basis of a decree by the federal government for Croats, Slovenes, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks and the Roma. 2) Support of ethnic groups by pecuniary or other measures. 3) Bilingual topographical names in certain areas. 4) Permission to use the ethnic language as official language in dealing with certain departments and authorities.

In 2000 the fundamental rights of ethnic minorities were enshrined in the Austrian Federal Constitution.

Literature#