Vandalism Against 'Erased' Monument Must Be Taken Seriously, Says Equality Advocate

Miha Lobnik, Slovenia's Advocate of the Principle of Equality, has strongly condemned an act of vandalism targeting the Monument to the Erased in Ljubljana. The monument, which was defaced with red paint over the weekend, stands as a stark reminder of the suffering endured by 25,671 individuals who were removed from Slovenia's permanent residency register in the early days of the nation's independence.

These individuals were citizens of other republics within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia who resided in Slovenia when it declared independence. Their erasure occurred after they either failed to apply for Slovenian citizenship within six months or had their applications rejected or halted. The Slovenian Constitutional Court later declared this act of erasure unlawful. The monument's distinctive shape, resembling the letter 'č', a letter absent from the standard Slovenian alphabet but present in the surnames of many of the erased, underscores their unique plight.

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Vandalisms, like this one against the monument to the erased, must be taken seriously and nevertheless convey the message that intolerance is still present in society, which must be responded to decisively and strategically.

Lobnik emphasized that such acts of vandalism must be taken seriously, interpreting them as a signal of persistent intolerance within society. He called for a decisive and strategic response to address this issue. "Messages that people with certain personal circumstances are not welcome in the country must therefore be firmly rejected," Lobnik stated, referencing Slovenia's constitutional guarantees of equal treatment and opportunities for all residents, irrespective of nationality, language, citizenship, or skin color.

While the European Commission has launched a new EU strategy to combat racism for 2026-2030, Lobnik noted that Slovenia still lacks its own national plan to fight racism. He urged that this deficiency be rectified, highlighting the ongoing need for comprehensive measures to combat discrimination and promote inclusivity.

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Messages that people with certain personal circumstances are not welcome in the country must therefore be firmly rejected.