Remembering the fallen - Fico pays tribute to Nazi victims during Dachau memorial visit

"Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico visited the former Dachau concentration camp in Germany on Thursday, as part of commemorations marking the end of the Second World War. "I always visit the most significant sites on the anniversary of the end of the World War II, not only to commemorate the soldiers who died during the liberation of Slovakia or Europe, but also to remember places where civilians suffered immensely," Fico said. Speaking at the memorial, he referred to Dachau as a place of political imprisonment and mass suffering following its establishment in 1933, shortly after Adolf Hitler came to power. According to Fico, around 200,000 prisoners passed through the camp, with approximately 41,500 deaths recorded due to executions, disease and starvation. He noted that Slovak citizens were among those detained, estimating that between 600 and 700 Slovaks were imprisoned there. "I believe such places should be visited at least once in a lifetime," Fico stated, while also stressing the importance of educational programmes aimed at younger generations. Fico also referred to Slovak writer and politician Vlado Minac, who was imprisoned in Dachau after being wounded during the Slovak National Uprising. The Slovak prime minister added that Slovakia is planning to install a commemorative plaque at the Dachau memorial dedicated to Slovak victims. "At the end of the visit, we also agreed with the memorial authorities that Slovakia will provide a commemorative plaque, as there is none yet, with basic information about Slovaks held in this camp," he said. Fico added his visit is part of a broader commemorative tour that will continue to other Second World War memorial locations, including graves of the Unknown Soldier of the Red Army, Normandy, Dunkirk, and Arlington Cemetery in the United States. The Slovak prime minister is also expected to travel to Russia for Victory Day commemorations in Moscow, where several international leaders are scheduled to attend events marking the anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany."

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