Definitions and concepts would meet best practice if nationality discrimination were punishable under federal law and if judicial interpretation confirmed that discrimination by association or based on assumed characteristics is covered. In fields such as school, housing, healthcare and welfare, victims are also left exposed to ethnic, racial, and religious discrimination under federal law. Here Austria scores the worst of the EU-15. Enforcement mechanisms protect complainants against victimisation and provide shifts in the burden of proof. Yet under slightly unfavourable equality policies, a specialised equality agency cannot investigate or take a case to court in its own name. Also, the Austrian state does not disseminate information, lead dialogue, introduce positive action measures or oblige public bodies to promote equality.
