A/HRC/62/55/Add.1 4. Disaggregated data 18. The Special Rapporteur is concerned about the lack of disaggregated data on the situation and the needs of those from marginalized racial and ethnic groups in Austria. She took careful note of the privacy and safety concerns articulated by stakeholders. This included sensitivity about the collection of data on ethnicity and race, considering the country’s historical experiences. Such concerns mean that official statistics, including the national census, generally provide proxy indicators, such as citizenship, language spoken, country of birth or parents’ country of birth, rather than self-identified racial or ethnic identity. While some data exist in relation to recognized national minorities, they remain limited and do not capture the experiences of many groups affected by racism, including Africans and people of African descent, Roma persons and Muslims. 19. Many United Nations human rights entities have repeatedly highlighted the importance of the collection and publication of disaggregated data and have recommended that States strengthen and expand their efforts in this regard, including by capturing intersectional discrimination.3 Data that are fully disaggregated, collected according to the principles of consent and self-identification, and that effectively capture intersectional discrimination play an important role in recognizing the existence, experiences and heritage of persons and groups who experience racism. Disaggregated and intersectional data are therefore a powerful tool to tackle the “invisibilization” of affected communities. Data can also challenge racial stereotypes and reveal systemic disparities and inequalities. The absence of disaggregated data has significantly hindered the effective implementation of inclusive policies in Austria. Disaggregated and intersectional data can support effective targeting, monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of legislation, policies and programmes aimed at addressing structural racism and intersectional discrimination. 20. Challenges and barriers to collecting disaggregated data, including safety concerns, can be overcome through adherence to the principles of self-identification and informed consent, alignment with human rights standards and guidance, and the full and effective participation of persons and communities affected by systemic racism and intersectional discrimination in the design, implementation and evaluation of data collection and analysis systems. 5. Austerity measures 21. The Special Rapporteur is concerned by reports of cuts to the resources available to provide key public services and implement anti-racial discrimination measures. This includes reductions in the funding provided by the Government to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working on anti-racial discrimination measures. For example, she received concerning information about reductions in certain social welfare benefits for asylum-seekers and funding cuts to NGOs offering multilingual therapy in Salzburg. She also received reports of funding cuts affecting NGOs working on issues related to racial discrimination against people of African descent in Vienna. The government of Styria reportedly cancelled approximately €2.5 million in social subsidies. Furthermore, access to remaining social benefits, such as heating allowance and housing support, is reportedly being restricted to citizens of Austria and the European Union/European Economic Area, with new requirements for minimum residency and proof of prior contributions. While noting that there are fiscal constraints facing the Government, the Special Rapporteur is concerned by cuts to projects targeting support to marginalized racial and ethnic groups. In addition, she highlights the risk of general austerity measures having a disproportionate impact on marginalized racial and ethnic groups due to pre-existing vulnerabilities. The Special Rapporteur urges Austria to fully evaluate the impact of all proposed and implemented funding cuts on those with 3 6 See A/70/335; A/79/316; A/HRC/23/50; A/HRC/42/59; A/HRC/57/67; A/HRC/59/62; CERD/C/ZAF/CO/9-11; CERD/C/PRT/CO/18-19; Committee on the Rights of the Child, general comment No. 26 (2023), para. 15; and OHCHR, “Disaggregated data to advance the human rights of people of African descent”, 2023, available at https://waps.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/issues/racism/wgeapd/racial-justice-booklet-nov10-pages.pdf.