Parliament Adds Resolution in Support of Epstein Victims to Agenda

Bratislava, 3 February (TASR) - Parliament has added an opposition resolution supporting Epstein's victims to the agenda of its current session at the proposal of MP Beata Jurik (Progressive Slovakia). The motion is a joint opposition proposal. Parliament approved its inclusion partly due to support from several MPs of the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS), including party leader Andrej Danko. Non-affiliated MP Jan Ferencak also backed it. In the draft resolution, the opposition stated that "in light of the information made public, such an expression of solidarity and support by MPs of the Parliament of the Slovak Republic for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein would be a strong gesture and a clear signal to society as a whole that violence against women must not be downplayed or denied and, on the contrary, that victims must receive all assistance and support regardless of who the perpetrator is". MP Martina Bajo Holeckova (Freedom and Solidarity) said at a press conference on Tuesday that she welcomes MPs adding the draft resolution to the agenda, but she fears that "it will again end up like other important matters, that once again we won't debate this issue, because it was only added to the session without a date being set". She stressed that Epstein's crimes aren't an issue of the past but a warning and that society must clearly condemn them. "If we don't insist on transparency, on a thorough investigation and on the protection of victims of sexual violence and abuse, similar cases will be repeated," she stated. Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) on Saturday (31 January) accepted the resignation of his adviser and former foreign minister (2012-19) Miroslav Lajcak, who decided to step down due to the messages that he exchanged with the American sexual predator Epstein. According to Fico, by resigning Lajcak showed himself to be a great diplomat. Lajcak himself has repeatedly denied that he knew about or was involved in the crimes and suspicions linked to Epstein. He condemned Epstein's crimes. The opposition Progressive Slovakia filed a criminal complaint with the Office of the Prosecutor-General on Tuesday. The lawsuit also touches on Slovak victims of human-trafficking and sexual violence. mf/df