The history of the ÖIM
ÖIM
The history of the ÖIM The Austrian Institute for Human Rights was founded in 1987 and is based in Salzburg. The institute is dedicated to sharing and promoting human rights on a solid academic foundation. Since 2014, it has been a center at the University of Salzburg.
Founding and Key Milestones in Development
The founding of the Austrian Institute of Human Rights (ÖIM) can be traced back to the recommendation of the Council of Europe OHCHR No. R [79] 16 of 13 September 1979 on the establishment and promotion of national centres for human rights studies and research in the member states. On the initiative of Prof. emer. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Franz Matscher, at the time, among other roles, a judge at the European Court of Human Rights ECHR in Strasbourg, the Institute was established in 1987 in cooperation with Dr. Wilfried Haslauer, Governor of the Province of Salzburg, and Prof. Dr. Hans Tuppy, Federal Minister for Science.
At the time of its establishment, the ÖIM was the only human rights institute in Austria and in the entire German-speaking region. It was organised as a “supporting association” (Trägerverein), whose members were the Federal Government, the Province of Salzburg, and the Catholic University Association in Salzburg.
In 2004, Prof. emer. Dr. Wolfram Karl, LL.M., who had already served as Managing Director from 1990 to 2003, assumed leadership of the Institute. In January 2014, the ÖIM was integrated into the University of Salzburg and established as one of its centres, initially under the direction of Prof. Dr. Benjamin Kneihs. Since October 2015, Prof. Dr. Reinhard Klaushofer has served as Director of the Institute.
Brief Overview of the Institute’s History
1979
1987
1992
1993
2004
2014
2015
