Slovenia: Information on Domobrans, their influence, presence in the current federal government; reports of their targeting political opponents
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 16 May 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SLO41492.E |
| Reference | 5 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Slovenia: Information on Domobrans, their influence, presence in the current federal government; reports of their targeting political opponents, 16 May 2003, SLO41492.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4e19e.html [accessed 26 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a 1995 survey of Neo Nazi Skinheads published by the Anti-Defamation League and excerpted on the Nizkor Website, Slovenian skinheads "belong to a Slovenian National Socialist movement know as Mladi Domobran (Young Militia Men or Home Guard), which borrows its name from World War II-era Slovenia Nazis"(Nizkor Project 1995). The survey further states that "[t]hey distribute a propaganda organ called Rudi, which promotes their ultranationalist and extremist views" (ibid.). More recent documentary information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
In a 7 May 2003 telephone interview, a political science PhD candidate at Carleton University, in Ottawa specializing in Slovenia and Croatian issues, who has conducted field research in both countries stated that the Domobrans were a Slovenian Christian militia that supported the Nazis during the occupation of Slovenia. The candidate stated that at the end of the war many Domobrans were either executed or imprisoned by the Tito government. She further stated that she was not aware of the existence of Domobrans in Slovenia today or of any evidence of their presence in the federal government of Slovenia.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Nizkor Project. 1995. "The Skinhead International: Slovenia."
Political science PhD candidate. Carleton Univeristy, Ottawa. 7 May 2003 Telephone
interview.
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases
Internet sites, including:
BBC History
Enclycopedia Brittanica
Federal Research Division
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Nova Slovenska Zaveza
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Sciences
Vreme News Digest Agency
Search engine:
Google
