Rasi Calls on LSNS MPs Not to Misuse Immunity for Spreading Xenophobia

Rasi Calls on LSNS MPs Not to Misuse Immunity for Spreading Xenophobia

Bratislava, April 6 (TASR) – MPs for Kotleba-People’s Party Our Slovakia (LSNS) are misusing their parliamentary immunity to spread their xenophobic opinions and that’s why we should consider curbing their immunity, parliamentary mandate and immunity committee chairman Richard Rasi (Smer-SD) said in the House on Thursday.

Rasi was responding to an appearance by MP Rastislav Schlosar (LSNS) who opposed the fine levied against his party members Milan Mazurek and Stanislav Mizik for their derogatory statements on Islam. Schlosar added to their statements, voiced his agreement with them and the belief that his party members should not be fined €1,000 for them.

Rasi stressed that LSNS legislators would be criminally prosecuted for their statements if they make them outside of Parliament. Therefore, they dare to make them only where they are protected by immunity. “You are misusing the parliamentary immunity. If you are sure about the truth in these statements, don’t misuse Parliament. Go outside Parliament and say them there and let the court decide then. You are masters of the world here, but outside you take care not to say anything you might be punished for,” Rasi told LSNS legislators.

Regarding the ideas spread by LSNS, Rasi believes it would be good to curb the parliamentary immunity so that xenophobic and racist statements are not protected. These statements would then be treated as crimes. Justice Minister Lucia Zitnanska (Most-Hid) has already been contacted about this issue, said Rasi.