BRATISLAVA, September 24, (WEBNOVINY) – At its extraordinary session on Friday, the Cabinet unanimously passed a revision to the State Language Act from the Culture Ministry‘ workroom. According to the new rules, presented by Culture Minister Daniel Krajcer, fines for violation of the stipulations of the act will be levied only in extreme cases and will not directly affect citizens. The topic that has traumatized the society for several years has been resolved, at least at the governmental level, the minister announced. The draft amendment lifts absurd restrictions and guards the state language. Sanctions will serve as the last possible tool and will be solely used to enforce the legislation. Krajcer explained that the department will impose fines only in case of information destined for the public and relating to life, health, security and property of citizens. The maximum sanction will be EUR 2,500. The ministry however has not imposed a single fine to date.
Following the approval of the amendment by the Cabinet, the minister is positive that no more doubts can be cast on the law as it was also backed by cabinet members for the MOST-HID party. Krajcer underscored that the revision had to be approved on Friday, so that it could be put on the October parliamentary agenda.
The revision cancels the provision, according to which texts on monuments and memorial tablets would need the nod of the ministry, which was supposed to guard the accordance with the law in this way. “We do not insist on the order of the text,” explained the minister. The duty to keep bilingual documents in schools and educational institutions lecturing in languages of national minorities will be canceled as well. The norm eliminates fines for texts compiled in the language of national minorities printed for cultural purposes, catalogues of galleries, museums, libraries, programs of theaters, concerts and other cultural events. The revision is to take effect on January 1, 2011.
SITA