UN Special Rapporteurs and Independent Experts on human rights expressed concerns Monday about the constant erosion of fundamental freedoms in the Slovak Republic, including the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. They urged the government to stop surveillance for political purposes and other actions in breach of international law.
The experts pointed out that the Slovakian government has increasingly cracked down on non-governmental organizations (NGOs), journalists, and peaceful protesters by launching smear campaigns, restricting press access to official events, and interfering with the independence of public media.
Despite intensive domestic protests, Slovakia’s parliament approved a contentious law in July 2024 to dissolve the state-funded media organization Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS), which has served as Slovakia’s public broadcaster since 2011, being alleged to be in breach of provisions under the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). RTVS journalists and several media freedom organizations criticized the public broadcasting bill, warning it could become a “tool for political control of RTVS for any government in power.”
As a member of the Media Freedom Coalition, the Slovak government is obliged to create a safe and enabling environment for journalists, as well as ensure legal protection for the freedom of the media. However, the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) noted that the authorities not only fueled an increasingly hostile environment for journalists but also used economic pressure against independent media, including threats to weaponize state advertising.
Reportedly, over 400 Slovak NGOs and civic associations have sharply criticized Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government for his “aggression and emotional explosiveness” in an open letter signed in January. After returning to power in October 2023, Fico and his ruling coalition labeled NGOs receiving international funding as “foreign agents” and stigmatized them as “Soros-led” organizations by using derogatory verbal attacks. The UN experts stated, “We are deeply worried by Government actions that threaten the independence of key state institutions and freedoms of speech and assembly.”
Additionally, the experts stressed that the dissolution of the Special Prosecutor’s Office as part of Fico’s criminal law reforms, which could undermine the effectiveness of investigations and endanger the rule of law in Slovakia, has triggered worries about weakening accountability mechanisms. They also warned that the adoption of the “Lex assassination” law, which prohibits gatherings not only around parliament but also near government buildings, would further undermine the right to peaceful assembly and violate international law.
In February 2024, the parliament approved reforms calling for the eradication of the Special Prosecutor’s Office (USP) dealing with high-level corruption in the country, as well as the lowering of punishments for financial crimes in a fast-track procedure amidst nationwide protests. The PM asserted that the USP was politically motivated and violated human rights, whereas President Zuzana Čaputová argued that Fico’s proposed reforms were inconsistent with the country’s constitutional framework.