Response of the President of the Republic to the published report on the raid at the Peršmanhof memorial

“I thank the investigative commission for preparing the report on the raid at the Peršmanhof memorial. I welcome the clear finding that the police intervention was unlawful and disproportionate.

I expect the Austrian authorities to adopt appropriate systemic measures, initiate proceedings against those responsible, and issue an official apology to those affected. This was not merely an isolated incident but also reflects an attitude towards the Slovene national minority in Austria.

Slovenia expects the Republic of Austria to do more to protect the Slovene national minority, as intolerance is dangerously growing. The most recent example is the unacceptable destruction of Slovene inscriptions on bilingual signs in the municipalities of Eisenkappel, Bleiburg and the Völkermarkt district, which I strongly condemn.

The dignity and safety of the minority must be guaranteed without exception.”