European free-speech under attack: Austrian activist Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff on Capitol Hill

Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff is an Austrian human rights and free speech activist.  She has served as Assistant to the Vice Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, Mr. Wolfgang Schussel (1995-1997), at the Austrian Embassy Kuwait (1997-2000) and at the Austrian Embassy Tripoli, Libya (2000-2001).  A diplomat’s daughter, she was a child in Iran during the Islamic Revolution of 1979, and later lived in Iraq, Kuwait and Libya.  During the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, she was among the Austrian citizens who were kidnapped and held hostage. 

Today, Sabaditsch-Wolff is a member of the board of the Austrian academic organization "Wiener Akademikerbund" and an international representative of the group "Citizens’ Movement Pax Europa."   In 2009 she testified before the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on issues of gender equality, violence against women, and Islamic doctrine on the subject of women’s rights.

Late in 2009 she was charged with "hate speech" under Austrian law for statements she made during a seminar on Islam.  Sabaditsch-Wolff explained: "I want to preserve Europe and its democratic and secular values.  Islamic doctrine discriminates against women and non-Muslims.  Islamic law, or Shariah, cannot be reconciled with democratic principles and universal human rights."

On Friday, February 19 at the Capitol Visitor Center, Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff will share the story of her prosecution in Austria and speak to the Islamization of Europe and its implications for freedom of speech.  She will also discuss the threat to free speech posed by the European Framework Decision Combating Racism and Xenophobia.

"I am a mother and a feminist.  I want my daughter and my niece to grow up in freedom and dignity.  I want the same for all Austrian citizens, and that includes Austrian Muslims." -Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff.

Where: U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, Room SVC 215

When: Friday, February 19, 2010, 2:30pm-4:00pm

Sponsored by the Center for Security Policy