Slovenian parliament rejects police violence on October 1

The Slovenian parliament on Friday rejected the violence by Spanish police during the independence referendum on October 1. Lawmakers in Slovenia unanimously passed a motion calling for a “peaceful solution to the situation in Catalonia.” The text of the motion also pointed out that the “disproportionate use of violence is not acceptable, whether protecting the state or implementing the right to self-determination.”

In fact, the motion “supports the universal right of nations to self-determination, in accordance with the valid rules and principles of international law.” The text makes no mention of the need for Catalonia to only follow Spanish law. Both the foreign affairs committee and the European Union affairs committee unanimously voted for the text, including the parties supporting the Slovenian government.  

Slovenian PM against police violence

Meanwhile, on Twitter, Slovenian prime minister, Miro Cerar, rejected the violent attempts by the Spanish police on October 1 to prevent people from voting on the independence of Catalonia in a referendum. “I am concerned about the situation. I call for political dialogue, the rule of law and peaceful solutions,” he said.