MASSACRE OF REPATRIATED SLOVENE SOLDIERS IN 1945

Early day motion 1916, tabled 28 March 2006 by John Austin (Labour). Signed by 62 members.

That this House notes with regret that the repatriation of disarmed Slovene soldiers at the end of World War II against their wishes resulted in the summary execution of many by their political enemies in their home country; believes a mistake was made by the British authorities that resulted in the loss of some 12,000 lives; notes that this regrettable act, albeit at a time of some confusion and chaos in southern Austria in May 1945, has never been acknowledged publicly by the United Kingdom Government; believes that as a contribution to post-war reconciliation, it is time to be honest and open about this matter to Slovenia, which is now a partner in the EU and ally in NATO, contributing to peace-keeping efforts in many parts of the world and sharing common values of democracy and transparency; and calls on the Government and the Foreign Secretary officially to express their sincere regrets for this mistake, as they did to the relatives of those massacred at Srebrenica.

Signatures by party: Labour 30, Liberal Democrat 17, Conservative 10, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.