Croatian Slovenians protest: New law creates new injustices

The National Council of Slovenes in Carinthia has launched a sharp protest against a new Austrian law regarding bilingual judiciary services, which they claim introduces new offenses and forms of discrimination. The protest was led by Valentin Inzko, president of the National Council of Slovenes in Carinthia, during a public gathering in the National Council’s headquarters. According to the group, the new law creates new legal violations by dividing Slovenes into those who will have access to bilingual judicial services and those who will not. This division, they argue, undermines the rights guaranteed under the Austrian State Treaty of 1955. Under the new law, the number of municipalities with access to bilingual judiciary services has increased, starting from January 2027. However, the National Council warns that this expansion does not address long-standing disparities. For over 72 years, certain communities have been excluded from these services, despite their linguistic and cultural ties to Slovenia. These include areas such as Upper Rozman, the vicinity of Lake Basko, Zila, and several other locations known for bilingual signage and education. The council argues that the new law perpetuates inequality and discrimination by failing to provide access to all communities that have historically relied on bilingual services. In a statement released to the public, the National Council criticized the exclusion of specific regions, including Celovec, where the local court is no longer considered competent for bilingual proceedings. They pointed out that while a new competence center in Velikovac will offer bilingual services, it will not include Slovenian-speaking consultations, only those available in Pliberk. The council expressed frustration that the existing competence center in Pliberk, which benefits from the long-term expertise of Judge Franz Boschitz, was not chosen for expansion. They emphasized that the current arrangement is both inefficient and unjust, particularly given the historical significance of Pliberk's bilingual judiciary system. Legal experts have responded to the controversy with mixed opinions. Justice Minister Anne Sporrer stated that citizens from Slovenia can still request and receive bilingual procedures in Celovec, even though the city is legally excluded from the service. However, Rudi Vouk, attorney and president of the Association of Carinthian Slovenian Lawyers, took a more critical stance. He argued that the proposed procedures based on these regulations have not yet materialized, and that the situation represents a form of charity rather than a legally guaranteed right. Another respected Celovec judge reportedly described the change as “dead law,” suggesting that it lacks enforceability and practical application. Valentin Inzko, president of the National Council, echoed Vouk’s concerns, stating that “charity is not needed, since we are not beggars.” He called the new law unacceptable, emphasizing its failure to align with the principles of the 1955 treaty. The council raised questions about how they would face their fellow citizens in Celovec and Zila, who will remain without access to bilingual services under the new law. They lamented the missed opportunity to secure a fair and comprehensive legal framework that respects the rights of all Slovenes, including those in Celovec and Zila.