Nazi Victims

Minister Karner and Minister Tanner Remembered the Victims at Melk Concentration Camp

It was 60 years ago on March 13 that the former Melk concentration camp (KZ) was dedicated as a public memorial. Together with Defense Minister Tanner, Interior Minister Karner commemorates the victims of the Melk concentration camp.

March 16, 2023

Simon-Wiesenthal Prize Goes to Palestinian Activist

The Simon-Wiesenthal prize for the year 2022 was awarded for the second time. This prize is being awarded for the best activism against anti-semitism. This time the main prize was awarded to the organization Zikaron Basalon.

March 14, 2023

First Steps Towards the Establishment of a Shoah Center in Vienna

According to Oskar Deutsch, president of the Jewish Community Vienna (IKG), a memorial similar to those in Israel and the U.S. should also exist in Austria. Minister of Constitution Karoline Edtstadler supports such steps towards the establishment of a Shoah Center in Vienna.

January 31, 2023

Joint Commemoration of the Victims of the Shoah

On the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, representatives of the Israeli Religious Community, the Roma, the Government of Austria, the Embassy of Israel in Vienna and the humanist parliamentary parties commemorated the victims of the Shoah.

January 29, 2023

Mauthausen Memorial Research Award 2022 Awarded

The Mauthausen Memorial Research Award was presented for 2022 this year. The ceremonial presentation by the jury took place at the Vienna site of the concentration camp memorial. Two submissions convinced the jury of experts, consisting of representatives from contemporary history and memorial culture.

January 24, 2023

New Memorial Plaque on Stubenring Commemorates Victims of the Nazi Regime

A commemorative plaque for the victims of Nazi military tribunals was unveiled today by Minister of Social Affairs Johannes Rauch, Minister of Justice Alma Zadić, Minister of Agriculture Norbert Totschnig and Minister of Labor and Economic Affairs Martin Kocher at the government building on Stubenring in Vienna.

January 23, 2023

The 84th Anniversary of the November Pogroms in Austria

On the 84th anniversary of the November pogroms, representatives of the Republic commemorated the victims with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Shoah Name Wall Memorial in Ostarrichipark. In addition to Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and the head of government, almost all members of the government took part.

November 9, 2022

Commemoration of the Genocides of Sinti and Roma

In Europe, the Nazis slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Sinti and Roma people. Prominent Austrian politicians, like Alexander Van der Bellen and Michael Ludwig, attended the commemoration of the Roma Holocaust Memorial Day. The OSCE also declared the importance of this day and commemorated the victims.

August 2, 2022

Naturalizations in Austria on the Rise Again Due to Descendants of Nazi Victims

Naturalizations in Austria are on the rise again, mainly due to the large number of descendants of victims of nazi persecution who applied for citizenship thanks to the amendment to Austria's Citizenship Act. Read more about this increase in naturalizations.

February 17, 2022

New Shoah Name Walls Memorial in Vienna: 64,440 Names Commemorate Humanity's Atrocity

The Austrian government unveiled the new Shoah Wall of Names Memorial on the 83rd anniversary of the November pogroms. Chancellor Schallenberg, EU Minister Edtstadler, and others spoke at the event. Read about the new memorial, what the leaders said at its opening, and watch a video of the event.

November 10, 2021

November Pogroms: Remembrance Event of the Turkish-Jewish Synagogue in Zirkusgasse

Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig, representatives from the religious communities in Vienna, and others took part in a remembrance event for the November pogroms at the location of one of the synagogues that was burned down in 1938. Read more about the solemn event and what Mayor Ludwig said.

November 10, 2021

"Never Forget": New Memorial by Arik Brauer for Victims of the Nazi Regime Unveiled at Vienna Airport

High-ranking representatives from politics and business emphasized the importance of honoring the memory of the countless victims of the Nazi regime among the concentration camp prisoners and forced laborers at Concentration Camp Wien-Schwechat-Heidfeld (the site of today's Vienna Airport) who were forced to build aircraft there.

October 12, 2021

Combating Anti-Semitism in Austria: Representatives of US Jewish Organizations Briefed on New Measures

While in New York for the 76th UNGA, Foreign Minister Schallenberg and Chancellor Kurz met with representatives of various Jewish organizations and briefed them on new measures being taken to combat anti-Semitism. Read about their meetings and some of the steps they are taking to address this issue.

September 29, 2021

Jewish Museum Vienna: Restitution to Ephrussi Family after Decades

The Jewish Museum Vienna has restituted the Franz Adam painting “Camp Scene from 1848 in Italy” to the Ephrussi family. Following the authorization by Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner, ownership of the painting was returned to the heirs of Viktor Ephrussi. The painting was in the Museum of Military History in Vienna after being confiscated from Viktor Ephrussi by the Nazis. Read more about the painting's history and its restitution to the Ephrussi family.

September 14, 2021

17,000 Descendants of Nazi Victims Demand Austrian Citizenship

In the one year since the change in the Citizenship Act allowed the descendants of victims of Nazi persecution the right to Austrian citizenship, the Vienna Municipal Department 35 (MA 35) has received nearly 17,000 applications. Around 10,000 of these applications still need to be processed. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and the President of the Jewish Community Oskar Deutsch reflected on the program on its one-year anniversary.

August 31, 2021

Restitution of Austrian Citizenships to Shoah Survivors and Descendants

One Holocaust survivor and 5 descendants of victims of Nazi terror received Austrian citizenship at the Consulate General in New York City. The restitution of 4,621 Austrian citizenships based on the new special procedure has already been successfully completed.

July 27, 2021

Member of Expelled Ephrussi Family Receives Austrian Citizenship

Since September 1, 2020, about 950 persons from all over the world have obtained Austrian citizenship through a new regulative that allows descendants of victims of the Nazi regime to regain Austrian citizenship. Victor de Waal, a member of the famous and widespread Ephrussi family has now been informed by Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig about his successful application.

January 8, 2021

First Descendants of Nazi Victims Apply for Austrian Citizenship

After the passing of an amendment that allows descendants of victims of National Socialism to obtain the Austrian Citizenship, the first applications have been received and welcomed by the Austrian Embassy in Washington, DC.

October 27, 2020

Descendants of Nazi Victims Have the Right to Austrian Citizenship

From September on, it is easier for descendants of Nazi victims to apply for the Austrian citizenship. This was announced by Interior Minister Nehammer in order to "take historical responsibility for the crimes of the Nazi regime".

September 1, 2020