Carnival crews in Austria have been banned from making light of the European migrant crisis in a code of conduct which prohibits “hurtful attacks on defenceless people”. Pre-Lent carnivals, ancient traditions that feature in many central European civilisations have a long and proud history of poking fun at politics, politicians and hot social topics. Yet this year the Austrian Carnival Guild has issued a code of conduct which proscribed jokes, “mockery and malice”, and sarcasm directed at certain protected minorities. Despite the long standing convention of shows and traditionally grotesque or absurd costumes poking fun, the new rules announced earlier this week said gays and lesbians should be strictly protected from being the target of such barbs, reports Oberösterreichische Nachrichten. Just days later, immigrants were added to the list of protected minorities considered above humour, reported the Kurier. A statement by the Federal Carnival Guild said this week: “Hurtful attacks on defenceless people, derision of majorities over minorities, biting mockery and malice, irony and sarcasm [are misplaced]… Laughing at others’ expense always leaves a bitter after-taste”. The chairman of the council added to the statement, saying that people celebrating should be aware of their actions and words, and that to joke about others