In cases of Nazi involvement: Professional titles may be revoked

As with honorary awards, there will also be the possibility of revocation for professional titles in the future. A professional title is to be automatically revoked in the event of a court conviction for violations of the Prohibition Act as well as for serious criminal offenses. Revocation should also be possible for individuals with a Nazi past. The revocation is enabled by a resolution of the Federal President on the proposal of the Federal Government.

Alignment with Honorary Awards

A corresponding amendment to the existing resolution of the Federal President concerning the creation of professional titles, coordinated with the Presidential Chancellery, was decided in the Council of Ministers on Wednesday. The aim is to align with the reform for the revocation of honorary awards that was already decided in 2023. The amendment to the Honorary Awards Act was prompted by the case of the Nazi jurist and co-author of the Nuremberg Race Laws, Hans Globke, who was posthumously stripped of the second-highest order of the Republic awarded in 1956.

Exclusion Reasons to be Checked in Advance

Analogously, the standards for honorary awards should also apply to professional titles in the future. In addition to the automatic revocation in the case of convictions for violations of the Prohibition Act, for intentional criminal acts against life and limb, freedom, or sexual self-determination, revocation should be possible if the person in question held a leading role in a Nazi organization. At the same time, it should already be checked before an award is granted whether exclusion reasons exist. "State awards should only be carried by those who stand on the foundation of our democratic and constitutional values," explained State Secretary Alexander Pröll (ÖVP) in a statement justifying the change.

(APA/Red)

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