Remembering the Victims of the Terror Attack in Vienna

Vice Chancellor Babler, Interior Minister Karner, Vienna's Mayor Ludwig, and former Chancellor Nehammer commemorated the victims of the terrorist act in the morning at Desider-Friedmann-Platz with a wreath-laying ceremony. State Secretary Leichtfried, Member of Parliament von Künsberg Sarre, Director General for Public Security Franz Ruf, and State Police President Gerhard Pürstl also participated. Chancellor Stocker was not present due to health reasons.

Commemoration of Victims of Terrorist Attack in Vienna: "Hate Can Never Be as Strong as Our Community"

It is essential to "do everything to ensure that something like this never happens again," said Vice Chancellor Babler after the commemoration ceremony to journalists. It is important to maintain the culture of remembrance for the victims of the attack and to "show that we stand together as a society," Babler stated. He recalled that, in addition to the emergency services who were quickly on the scene, three courageous citizens intervened and provided assistance. The Chancellor, who was unable to attend due to health reasons following back surgery, stated: "My thoughts are with all those who lost a loved one on this day." Our free society is not a given, emphasized Stocker. "We must defend it and show zero tolerance towards those who endanger it."

Federal President Van der Bellen stated on the occasion of the commemoration on Sunday via Twitter: "The memories of this November 2, 2020, accompany us. But we are also accompanied by the certainty: Hate can never be as strong as our community in freedom, in democracy, in tolerance, and in love." During the most severe terrorist attack in recent Austrian history, a 20-year-old Islamist killed four people and injured more than 20 others in downtown Vienna on the evening of November 2, 2020. Although the attack was ended by the police after just nine minutes by shooting the attacker, the attack revealed significant deficiencies in state protection and counter-terrorism. An investigation commission found operational misconduct by individual authorities or organizational units in the run-up to the attack.

Karner Points to Reforms in State Protection and Police on Anniversary of Terrorist Attack in Vienna

The terrorist attack not only etched itself into the collective memory of the country but also served as a starting point for numerous developments in the police and state protection, emphasized Interior Minister Karner on Sunday in a statement. He referred to the establishment of the Directorate of State Protection and Intelligence Service (DSN) and the approved messenger surveillance as "milestones in the fight against all forms of extremism." Additionally, the police response has been significantly further developed through the establishment of the Rapid Intervention Group (SIG) and the readiness units in all federal states.

Besides commemorating the victims, the sad occasion is once again "a call to defend the values that define and connect us: humanity, solidarity, cohesion," said SPÖ State Secretary Leichtfried. The Mayor of Vienna, Ludwig, spoke of a "severe turning point" in the city's history. Nevertheless, they will not be paralyzed by violence and terrorism. "Vienna stands for cohesion and solidarity, and we will always fight against extremism and hostility towards people," said Ludwig.

The other parties also spoke on the anniversary. The NEOS, represented at the memorial event by National Council member Martina von Künsberg Sarre, highlighted the targeted measures in the areas of security and deradicalization, as well as close cooperation with European partners. "The protection of people in our country is the top priority," emphasized Secretary General Douglas Hoyos: "Even five years later, the pain runs deep."

Green Party leader Leonore Gewessler reminded that "in the dark hours after the attack," it became clear "what makes Austria strong: civil courage, solidarity, and cohesion." Terrorism aims to sow fear and hatred, said Gewessler: "We stand against the terrorists: with all the means of our constitutional state, with cohesion, with our values."

FPÖ uses anniversary of Vienna terrorist attack for criticism of ÖVP

For the FPÖ, the commemoration of the terror victims is "also a reminder of the system failure." This terrible attack was "not an inevitable fate," but "the dreadful consequence of an unprecedented political and administrative failure, for which no one has taken full responsibility to this day," explained FPÖ federal party chairman Herbert Kickl in a statement. Under the then ÖVP Interior Minister and later Chancellor Karl Nehammer, "all warning signals were ignored." An investigative commission found "significant deficiencies" within the authorities in combating terrorist offenses in its final report. The security architecture has hardly improved under the ÖVP since then, said Kickl.

(APA/Red)

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