Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler of the Greens and Constitutional Minister Karoline Edtstadler of the ÖVP presented a reform of the badge of honor laws on Monday. The reason for this measure was the case of Hans Globke, co-author of the National Socialist racial laws, who in 1956 was awarded the second highest medal in the republic. The bill will be submitted for consideration on July 17.
The ability to withdraw awards has been demanded for some time. Now it should become reality. Kogler said, “Many looked the other way after World War II and continued this behavior.” He also pointed out that more or less well-known National Socialists were still honored. The legal situation remains difficult and unclear to this day, and the revocation of posthumous awards has hitherto been impossible. The bill aims to solve this problem.
Follow in the footsteps of the MeToo movement
The Vice-Chancellor and Sports Minister stressed: “Austria has not only a historical responsibility, but also a current and timeless responsibility.” This is also an important step in the wake of the MeToo movement.
In the field of sports, there is at least one case that can have consequences afterwards. However, Kogler would not reveal who it was. Edtstadler also stressed that Austria has a responsibility and must protect its awards. “Serious criminals, Nazis and child molesters are not allowed to wear decorations.”
At present, however, it is not possible to withdraw awards for services to the Republic, even for serious violations of the fundamental values of the Republic. In the future, a distinction will be made between automatic revocation, ie loss due to legal provisions, and active revocation.
Medal of Honor disappeared after imprisonment
A decoration must be automatically withdrawn if the winner is sentenced to more than six months’ imprisonment without probation or to twelve months’ imprisonment with probation for an intentional offence. Regardless of the penalty, convictions for violence against human beings, deprivation of liberty, sexual assault, crimes against the Republic or its institutions and violations of the Prohibition Act must be revoked.
The reform also provides for a disqualification if the person held a leading role in the NSDAP or its affiliated organizations and was actively involved in Nazi crimes against humanity.
Source: Krone
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