Rights of Austrian Slovenes are not fully adhered to – DiePresse.com

The Slovenian parliament unanimously adopted a declaration to maintain and strengthen the Slovenian ethnic group in Austria on Wednesday. The declaration states that the provisions of Article 7 of the State Treaty, which protects the rights of the Slovenian minority, are « not fully » met. Austria is called to fully comply with its obligations. The explanation is supported by the Slovenian government.

Austria is recommended to primarily take the necessary measures in the area of ​​bilingual education. The petition of the Carinthian Slovenian organizations to the European Parliament with which they demanded that minority rights in Austria are better guaranteed are also expressly supported.

During the vote on Wednesday evening, the declaration was accepted with 73 votes in favor and without votes against.

Strong signal of Slovenian politics

« The declaration does not bring anything new in terms of content, but it comes at the right time and sends a message to the right -wing extremist camps that we, as a country, will take action against all attempts to weaken the position of the Slovenian ethnic group in Austria, » said parliamentary president Urška Klakočar Zuspančič. She described the explanation as a strong signal of Slovenian politics that Slovenia in dialogue with Austria would continue to be an active defender of the rights of the Slovenian ethnic group.

In the parliamentary debate, the MPs expressed their support for the complete implementation of minority rights and the efforts of the Slovenian ethnic group organizations. It was emphasized that the explanation must also follow determined diplomatic steps, both in bilateral dialogue with Austria and on EU-Level. The explanation has been described several times as a wake -up call, but it was also emphasized that it should be understood as a handout for dialogue with Austria.

Recognition of the progress made so far

The declaration welcomes that the coalition agreement of the new Federal government Contains obligations to strengthen the position of national minorities and recognizes progress in the attitude of the majority population towards the Slovenian ethnic group in Carinthia. The admission of the Slovenian minority in the Carinthian state constitution and conciliatory gestures of representatives of the federal and state authorities are mentioned as important signs of this. The apology by Federal President is also expressly mentioned Alexander van der Bellenwho apologized for the injustice suffered on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Carinthian referendum on the Slovenian minority. The progress made in individual areas is not due to a « systemic procedure » of the Austrian federal and state authorities, the explanation says.

The reason for the declaration of the Slovenian parliament is the upcoming 70th anniversary of the signing of the Austrian State Treaty. The parliamentary president and several other MPs emphasized in the debate that Slovenia was de facto as the legal successor of the contractual partner Yugoslavia.

(APA)