Photo : REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
19 November 2021, Friday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #47
IN FOCUS
By Padmashree Anandhan
Austria: Anti-lockdown protests
On 19 November, Austria became the first country in western Europe to declare a full lockdown upon surge in the new Covid-19 cases. Along with the full lockdown measures, it has mandated that the entire Austrian population will begin vaccination from 01 February 2022. The decisions have triggered anti-trust protests against the state by the people as the declarations made affect individual freedoms. More than tens of thousands of people gathered in Vienna carrying the signboards with slogans saying “no to vaccination,” “enough is enough,” and “down with the fascist dictatorship.” The reason behind the unrest is due to three reasons. One, scepticism amongst the Austrians to take vaccines, and second the encouragement of the same cause by the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) a third-biggest force in Parliament. Third, failure of leaders to take precaution before declaring stricter restrictions.
The demonstrations gained traction as many people, families and far-right groups joined, increasing to 40,000. Protestors used drums, rang cowbells as a way to convey their disappointment on the declared covid restrictions. Later, the protests escalated when skirmishes broke between the police officers and protestors. According to one of the police officers, “At least five people were arrested, and several others were written up for violations involving failure to wear masks, or for displaying stars like those the Nazis forced Jews to wear during the Holocaust.”
Earlier this week, Austria began with strict restrictions for its unvaccinated population, but declaring the same for the entire population has spread dissent. The opposition party’s (FPO) leader Herbert Kickl stated that “As of today, Austria is a dictatorship.” Recent surveys have reported that vaccination is turning to be the “most divisive” issue in the society and fear that more restrictions will lead to more gap.
Protests in other parts of Europe
A series of protests has been witnessed all across Europe. Starting with Netherlands,
The government declared a three-week partial lockdown. It ruled that the bars and restaurants be closed by 20:00 hours and a ban on hosting huge crowds in the sport events. The protests took a violent turn in Rottersdam. Officials declared emergency order in the city and many have been said to be arrested and injured including police officers from the protest clashes.
In Brussels, protests were held especially by those who oppose the Covid passes as it restrains them from entering social spaces such as restaurants and bars. They have been dealt with by the police with tear gas and water cannon.
The covid restrictions in Belgium are, rule of wearing face masks has been tightened, employees must work from home for four days in a week till mid of December and vaccinations will be made mandatory for health workers.
What does this mean?
First, with people barring the restrictions and marching against vaccination, breaking the chain of the spread of covid infections will be a task for both police department and government.
Second, the protests give scope for more people who are in dilemma of getting vaccinated or not, might join the group of anti-vaxxers seeing the mass number of people. Therefore, it creates a conflict situation in the region.
Third, the reputation of the present government will take a toll as it will face the criticism for not handling the covid situation with the right measures.
References
“Covid: Huge protests across Europe over new restrictions,” BBC, 21 November 2021
“Tens of thousands protest in Vienna against Austria’s Covid restrictions,” The Guardian, 20 November 2021
“Thousands in Austria Protest Virus Lockdown and Vaccine Mandate,” The New York Times, 20 November 2021.
IN BRIEF
By Joeana Cera Matthews and Vaishnavi Iyer
AUSTRIA
Former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz stripped off his immunity
On 18 November, the immunity provided to former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was lifted by the parliament after his center-right Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) backed the decision. The removal of Kurz’s immunity provides easy investigation into his role in the corruption scandal that he has been implicated in. This follows Kurz himself requesting to remove the immunity provided to him in order to facilitate the investigations into the scandal. The former Chancellor has been condemned for misusing government money in an effort to popularize his political image. (“Austria: Sebastian Kurz's immunity lifted for corruption probe,” Deutsche Welle, 18 November 2021)
BELARUS
Poland detains 100 migrants
Flouting EU laws, Poland has detained around 100 migrants. The Polish defence ministry accused Belarus of facilitating border crossings by the migrants, triggering a confrontation at the barbed wire fences. Belarusian Spetsnaz, or special troops, conducted surveillance, according to the Polish government, and may have harmed the barbed wire fencing. The Polish ministry said: “Then the Belarusians forced the migrants to throw stones at Polish soldiers to distract them. The attempt to cross the border took place several hundred metres away”. Some migrants attempting to enter the EU have had their circumstances improved, with some being housed in a warehouse in Belarus. Several others, on the other hand, are still out in the cold, facing incredibly difficult conditions. (Kieran Burke, “Belarus border crisis: Poland detains 100 migrants,” Deutsche Welle, 18 November 2021)
THE UNITED KINGDOM
Using phones while driving banned in the UK
Drivers will be prohibited from using a smartphone to click photos or play games starting in 2022, with violators facing a GBP 200 fine and six points on their licence. It would be easier to prosecute violators, according to the transportation secretary. The law was enacted to ensure that road users are protected. The Highway Code will be modified to reflect the new laws, as well as to state clearly to drivers that using a hand-held device at signals or in highway waits is prohibited. Drivers will be able to use hands-free gadgets such as a sat-nav or mobile phone while driving if they are fastened in a cradle.The new regulations will not apply to drivers who make a contactless payment using their device while immobile. The exception will apply only when payment is made with a card machine, such as when utilising a drive-through restaurant or a motorway toll barrier. Following a public consultation, it was discovered that 81 percent of respondents supported efforts to enhance the law. (“Drivers to be banned from using hand-held devices,” BBC, 19 November 2021)
Britain to send 150 Royal Army to Poland borders
According to the defence secretary, about 150 British army Royal Engineers would be dispatched to help strengthen Poland's border to Belarus. The Royal Army is a component of the Army geared for building or constructing walls or roads or laying in infrastructure. The soldiers would not be combat forces but rather those with "the ability to build roads, checkpoints, and observation posts.". During his visit Ben Wallace, Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom paid a visit to British troops previously stationed in Poland as per NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence. He also struck a deal to supply air defence weapons to Poland. He was concerned about human rights violations at the border, particularly against women and children. (Jonathan Beale and Doug Faulkner, “Belarus migrant crisis: British army engineers to help at Polish border,” BBC, 19 November 2021)
MIGRATION
Greece: Search and rescue activists on trial for charges of human trafficking, espionage, money laundering
On 18 November, proceedings began against 24 humanitarian activists who were involved in aiding migrants reach Greece during the time period of 2016 to 2018. The Mytilene Misdemeanor Court on the Greek island of Lesbos has undertaken the case. The activists belong to a non-profit search and rescue team named the Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI). In response to the beginning of the trial, associate children's rights director at Human Rights Watch (HRW) Bill van Esveld said: “The Greek authorities’ misuse of the criminal justice system to harass these humanitarian rescuers seems designed to deter future rescue efforts, which will only put lives at risk.” In an effort to maintain fair and legal proceedings, observers have been called on by HRW from foreign countries.They further added that “legitimate fundraising activity” was being mislabelled as “money laundering”. The sentence for the activist, if they are found guilty, would be 25 years. (“Greece: Activists who helped migrants go on trial,” Deutsche Welle, 18 November 2021; “Greece: NGO workers could face prison for helping migrants,” Deutsche Welle, 18 November 2021)
INTERNATIONAL
Lithuania: Taiwan’s de facto embassy opens in Vilnius
On 18 November, overriding China’s threat to withdraw its ambassador from Lithuania, Vilnius saw Taiwan’s first embassy in Europe under its own name. In the US and other European countries, Taiwan is identified by Taipei to avoid referring to the island territory claimed by China. One among the 15 countries having diplomatic ties with Taiwan, Lithuania has also agreed to opening its own representative office in Taiwan. However, the dates for the same are yet to be confirmed. The new Taiwanese office in Vilnius represents a scope for cooperation via semiconductor industries and other technologically-intensive industries. (“Taiwan opens representative office in Lithuania,” Deutsche Welle, 18 November 2021)