The Bleiburg commemoration held in that Austrian town on Saturday brought together thousands of people and drew media attention due to Austria's warning that this commemorative rally could be banned in the future if incidents glorifying fascists happened this year.
According to available information, the commemoration, which included Catholic and Muslim prayers and the Requiem Mass as well as political speeches by office-holders from Croatia and Bosnia, passed without incidents.
The ceremony was organised by the Bleiburg Guard of Honour in cooperation with the Directorate of Pastoral Care for Croats Abroad and the Croatian Catholic Mission in Klagenfurt, and was held under the sponsorship of the Croatian Parliament and the co-sponsorship of the Croat National Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
VEZANE VIJESTI
After reports by Austrian and Croatian media outlets that the Austrian authorities would consider a ban on commemorations in the event of incidents, the organisers recently presented measures and a code of conduct adopted in cooperation with the Catholic Church and state authorities in Austria in order to maintain the dignity of Saturday’s commemoration.
They announced “zero tolerance” toward inappropriate insignia at the commemoration.
In addition, the local police stepped up the control of pilgrims, which was why traffic jams were created at access roads.
