Terrorism in Vienna: Islamophobia, Migration, and the International Response
By Assiya Kathleen Kruss (Austria), Dhanviee Misra (India), 12/31/2020
Islamophobia & Migration
When Paris experienced a devastating terrorist attack on November 13th, 2015, killing 130 victims, the perpetuaters’ affiliation with Islam sparked new anti-Muslim sentiments in Europe as well as the perception that the Muslim community is one of hatred and violence. Terrorism has become a contentious reality in Europe, disrupting “The Long Peace” for much of the younger generation, which has begun to experience the world’s political volatility. The increase in terrorism has, likewise, increased the propensity of governments to weaponize Islamophobia.
The European Union has adopted a multitude of measures, all with the hopes of reducing and combating terrorism throughout Europe. These include, but are not limited to, improving the control of firearms, furthering the criminalisation of terrorist offences, as well as increasing the already existing border controls. “Migration is the mother of all problems,” said Horst Seehofer, Germany’s interior minister. Many European leaders, along with their citizens, blame the influx of migrants from war-torn countries such as Syria and Iraq for the spike in terrorist attacks. Governments of various European nations have harnessed the hysteria formed concerning the attacks and transformed it into anti-migration propaganda. Massive amounts of misinformation and disinformation have been released as a result of this influx. Whilst jihadi militants only constitute a small portion of migrants, these over-generalisations have spurred fear throughout the entire European nation, posing all migrants, the vast majority of whom are innocent, as Islamic State (IS) militants.
Hungary, a country in Europe which is currently experiencing a rise in far-right policies as a result of the Fidesz political party, passed a “Stop Soros” law in 2018 which allows for the criminalization of anyone who aids undocumented migrants. Many such laws have been increasingly implemented in countries throughout Europe. France, Belgium, Bulgaria and Denmark all have laws banning the wearing of burqas in all public places. Austria, a country whose capital recently experienced a terrorist attack on November 3rd, 2020, is amongst the countries that have placed this law in order.
Nevertheless, Sebastian Kurz, the chancellor of Austria, stated that “This [terrorism] is not a fight between Christians and Muslims or between Austrians and migrants. This is a struggle between the many people who believe in peace and those few who want war.” He stressed the unification that must occur to combat the threat of terror, regardless of whether it is fueled by religious extremists, white supremacists, or any other groups that pose threats to national security.
Whilst Europe has seen an exponential increase in Islamophobia and anti-migrant policies, it has also led to a rise in international solidarity. After the news of the terror attack in Vienna spread, President Emmanuel Macron of France tweeted that “we French share the shock and sorrow of the Austrian people”. Furthermore, The Prime Minister of the UK tweeted that “We stand united with you against terror,” providing comfort and relief for the city of Vienna, which has not experienced a terrorist attack since the turn of the century.
As the fight against terrorism continues to prevail throughout Europe, the knowledge and ability to combat the attacks has also increased. Nevertheless, the polarization between individuals who deem the religion of Islam a threat, and those who separate religion and terrorism has grown larger over the past years. It is as a result of this that now more than ever, European leaders need to unify, not only with other leaders but also with their citizens and take a stand against terrorism.
When Paris experienced a devastating terrorist attack on November 13th, 2015, killing 130 victims, the perpetuaters’ affiliation with Islam sparked new anti-Muslim sentiments in Europe as well as the perception that the Muslim community is one of hatred and violence. Terrorism has become a contentious reality in Europe, disrupting “The Long Peace” for much of the younger generation, which has begun to experience the world’s political volatility. The increase in terrorism has, likewise, increased the propensity of governments to weaponize Islamophobia.
The European Union has adopted a multitude of measures, all with the hopes of reducing and combating terrorism throughout Europe. These include, but are not limited to, improving the control of firearms, furthering the criminalisation of terrorist offences, as well as increasing the already existing border controls. “Migration is the mother of all problems,” said Horst Seehofer, Germany’s interior minister. Many European leaders, along with their citizens, blame the influx of migrants from war-torn countries such as Syria and Iraq for the spike in terrorist attacks. Governments of various European nations have harnessed the hysteria formed concerning the attacks and transformed it into anti-migration propaganda. Massive amounts of misinformation and disinformation have been released as a result of this influx. Whilst jihadi militants only constitute a small portion of migrants, these over-generalisations have spurred fear throughout the entire European nation, posing all migrants, the vast majority of whom are innocent, as Islamic State (IS) militants.
Hungary, a country in Europe which is currently experiencing a rise in far-right policies as a result of the Fidesz political party, passed a “Stop Soros” law in 2018 which allows for the criminalization of anyone who aids undocumented migrants. Many such laws have been increasingly implemented in countries throughout Europe. France, Belgium, Bulgaria and Denmark all have laws banning the wearing of burqas in all public places. Austria, a country whose capital recently experienced a terrorist attack on November 3rd, 2020, is amongst the countries that have placed this law in order.
Nevertheless, Sebastian Kurz, the chancellor of Austria, stated that “This [terrorism] is not a fight between Christians and Muslims or between Austrians and migrants. This is a struggle between the many people who believe in peace and those few who want war.” He stressed the unification that must occur to combat the threat of terror, regardless of whether it is fueled by religious extremists, white supremacists, or any other groups that pose threats to national security.
Whilst Europe has seen an exponential increase in Islamophobia and anti-migrant policies, it has also led to a rise in international solidarity. After the news of the terror attack in Vienna spread, President Emmanuel Macron of France tweeted that “we French share the shock and sorrow of the Austrian people”. Furthermore, The Prime Minister of the UK tweeted that “We stand united with you against terror,” providing comfort and relief for the city of Vienna, which has not experienced a terrorist attack since the turn of the century.
As the fight against terrorism continues to prevail throughout Europe, the knowledge and ability to combat the attacks has also increased. Nevertheless, the polarization between individuals who deem the religion of Islam a threat, and those who separate religion and terrorism has grown larger over the past years. It is as a result of this that now more than ever, European leaders need to unify, not only with other leaders but also with their citizens and take a stand against terrorism.
International & Governmental Responses
Since the 2015 shooting when several gunmen killed 130 people in Paris, there has been a gradual rise of such terror attacks, which include stabbings and shootings, across Europe. European capitals have faced more than 20 successful, foiled, and failed terror attacks this year alone. Days after the stabbing on 29th October in Nice, France, Vienna witnessed a gun attack on the 2nd of November. It was staggering to leaders across the world since Vienna was believed to be one of the places ‘immune’ from such acts. Along with this, Europe is battling a second wave of COVID-19.
A 20-year-old gunman with a previous record of Islamic terrorist association opened fire at six locations in the city’s central area with numerous active bars and restaurants near Vienna's central synagogue just before the application of new coronavirus restrictions. Two men and two women were shot dead and twenty-two people were wounded.
Sebastian Kurz, the chancellor of Vienna, said, “It was clearly an attack driven by hatred of our way of life, our democracy" while speaking of it as a "repulsive terror attack". He also tweeted, "But we must always be aware that this is not a dispute between Christians and Muslims or between Austrians and migrants. This is a struggle between the many people who believe in peace and the few who want war". French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted, “Our enemies must know who they are dealing with. We will not give in" on the day of the Vienna attack. Leaders strongly across Europe and the world condemned the shooting.
Vienna went into partial lockdown after the attack to compose the spread of COVID-19. France has raised the alertness levels to the highest being the “emergency” alert. Vigilance has been elevated at churches and schools along with warning people of numerous potential knife attacks of car rammings. Countries like Denmark and the Czech Republic have also increased patrolling around important institutions.
European Union member states, along with its international partners, the European parliament, and the European Union ministers of the interior have worked on and advocated various measures to combat these attacks. Actions have been taken to drain terrorist funding, prevent radicalization, and strengthen relations with third countries (i.e., countries that are not members of the European Union). Stronger military action to enforce counter-terrorism has also been instituted. Border controls have been made stricter especially in the Schengen area which allowed movement in Europe without visas to the European citizens and also gave benefits to tourists and businesses to avoid the inflow of unauthorized refugees. From 2021, a new authorization system (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will be initiated to detect any uncertain travellers who amongst those don’t need visas to travel.
The increasing trade of people and resources for activities such as work and better living conditions gives terrorists the chance to abuse this environment to pursue their objectives. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic results in a more captive audience and increased online engagement provides for an appealing environment for terrorists. Many are attributing such acts to the widespread polarization and radicalization in Europe. Some criticize the influx of refugees and the growing Muslim population in Europe and on the other hand anti-democratic policies towards refugees and Muslims, like countries banning the full-face Islamic veil first being France, are being criticized.
Terrorism prevails to be one of the biggest problems in the world to tackle. Nations together along with the UN can find various ways to control and eradicate it. Ensuring that counter-terrorism doesn’t lead to radicalization or the forfeiting of human rights, educating and providing job opportunities to migrants rather than isolating them, and organizing interfaith interactions can lead the fight against terrorism since it must be a fight against the disrupters of humanity and not against a religion or a community.
Since the 2015 shooting when several gunmen killed 130 people in Paris, there has been a gradual rise of such terror attacks, which include stabbings and shootings, across Europe. European capitals have faced more than 20 successful, foiled, and failed terror attacks this year alone. Days after the stabbing on 29th October in Nice, France, Vienna witnessed a gun attack on the 2nd of November. It was staggering to leaders across the world since Vienna was believed to be one of the places ‘immune’ from such acts. Along with this, Europe is battling a second wave of COVID-19.
A 20-year-old gunman with a previous record of Islamic terrorist association opened fire at six locations in the city’s central area with numerous active bars and restaurants near Vienna's central synagogue just before the application of new coronavirus restrictions. Two men and two women were shot dead and twenty-two people were wounded.
Sebastian Kurz, the chancellor of Vienna, said, “It was clearly an attack driven by hatred of our way of life, our democracy" while speaking of it as a "repulsive terror attack". He also tweeted, "But we must always be aware that this is not a dispute between Christians and Muslims or between Austrians and migrants. This is a struggle between the many people who believe in peace and the few who want war". French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted, “Our enemies must know who they are dealing with. We will not give in" on the day of the Vienna attack. Leaders strongly across Europe and the world condemned the shooting.
Vienna went into partial lockdown after the attack to compose the spread of COVID-19. France has raised the alertness levels to the highest being the “emergency” alert. Vigilance has been elevated at churches and schools along with warning people of numerous potential knife attacks of car rammings. Countries like Denmark and the Czech Republic have also increased patrolling around important institutions.
European Union member states, along with its international partners, the European parliament, and the European Union ministers of the interior have worked on and advocated various measures to combat these attacks. Actions have been taken to drain terrorist funding, prevent radicalization, and strengthen relations with third countries (i.e., countries that are not members of the European Union). Stronger military action to enforce counter-terrorism has also been instituted. Border controls have been made stricter especially in the Schengen area which allowed movement in Europe without visas to the European citizens and also gave benefits to tourists and businesses to avoid the inflow of unauthorized refugees. From 2021, a new authorization system (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will be initiated to detect any uncertain travellers who amongst those don’t need visas to travel.
The increasing trade of people and resources for activities such as work and better living conditions gives terrorists the chance to abuse this environment to pursue their objectives. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic results in a more captive audience and increased online engagement provides for an appealing environment for terrorists. Many are attributing such acts to the widespread polarization and radicalization in Europe. Some criticize the influx of refugees and the growing Muslim population in Europe and on the other hand anti-democratic policies towards refugees and Muslims, like countries banning the full-face Islamic veil first being France, are being criticized.
Terrorism prevails to be one of the biggest problems in the world to tackle. Nations together along with the UN can find various ways to control and eradicate it. Ensuring that counter-terrorism doesn’t lead to radicalization or the forfeiting of human rights, educating and providing job opportunities to migrants rather than isolating them, and organizing interfaith interactions can lead the fight against terrorism since it must be a fight against the disrupters of humanity and not against a religion or a community.