For information only - not an official document
UNIS/INF/523
18 October 2016
GENEVA/VIENNA, 18 October (UN Information Service) - The Human Rights Committee today concluded its consideration of the fourth periodic report of Slovakia on its implementation of the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Presenting the report of Slovakia, Fedor Rosocha, Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that the National Strategy for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights till 2020, adopted in 2015, was the first programme document which reflected the modern understanding of human rights in the sense of international legal commitments. The Concept for the Fight against Extremism 2015-2019 contained measures to prevent and eliminate radicalization, extremism and related anti-social activities, while the 2013 Anti-Discrimination Act strengthened the legislation by extending the definition of indirect discrimination and adapting the definition of temporary measures to include the elimination of discrimination on the basis of racial or ethnic origin, or on the identification of persons as belonging to national, ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities. The integration of the Roma minority was a long-term priority and in 2012, the Strategy for the Integration of the Roma Population by 2020 was adopted which focused on the elimination of multiple discrimination against women and the reduction of gender inequalities in marginalised Roma communities.
In the ensuing discussion, Committee Experts commended the continuous efforts of Slovakia to enhance the protection of human rights and recognized the positive developments in the area of combatting violence against women and children, and in improving the conditions of vulnerable groups. Experts were concerned about the persistent low representation of women in political and public life and asked about concrete progress in reducing gender inequalities in the participation of women and men in decision-making positions. Forced sterilization was criminalized but was still practiced in public hospitals, particularly on women of Roma origin, while sterilization was compulsory for transgender persons in order to obtain legal gender recognition. The situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons in Slovakia was of utmost concern, in particular the lack of respect for their rights, and the proliferation of hate speech, including by the clergy. Experts welcome the commitment to making progress in the inclusion of Roma people and urged for more focused attention to the segregation of Roma children in education, which continued in several areas of the country.
In concluding remarks, Mr. Rosocha recognized the value, passion, dedication and professionalism of the Committee Experts and the important contribution of non-governmental organizations, and reiterated the commitment of Slovakia to the implementation of the Covenant in the best possible way.
Dheerujlall Seetulsingh, Committee Vice-Chairperson, took note of the many human rights reforms in the pipeline, and urged Slovakia to provide adequate human and financial resources to the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights, and to be at the forefront of the abolition of the practice of forced sterilization of transgender persons.
The delegation of Slovakia included representatives of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs; Office of the Plenipotentiary of the Government for Roma Communities; Presidium of the Police Force; Judiciary Guards and Prison Wardens Corps; Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport; Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family; and the Permanent Mission of Slovakia to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
Webcast of the Committee's public meetings is available at http://webtv.un.org/
Report
The fourth periodic report of Slovakia can be read
here:
For more information see here:
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