VIENNA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- The number of reported race-related incidents in Austria in 2017 increased to a new high of 1,162, watchdog group Zivilcourage und Anti-Rassismus-Arbeit (ZARA) revealed on Wednesday.

In its latest report, ZARA said the highest proportion of racist incidents, 44 percent, were made in articles, posts, and comments on the Internet.

These are often directed at Muslims, refugees, or are of an anti-Semitic nature.

Nazi-related wording and symbolism is sometimes used, such as swastikas, ZARA arguing that the shift toward right-wing populism in Europe could play a role in this trend.

ZARA head Claudia Schafer said at the presentation of the report in Vienna that it would be of benefit if the government would take a joint stance against racism in Austria, rather than officials occasionally addressing the issue on an individual basis.