Within our mandate, we monitor and assess observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms. We publish our findings in regular reports, specifically the Report on the Observance of Human Rights, including the principle of equal treatment, in alternative reports as well as in opinions and submitted to the United Nations or other stakeholders.
What is monitoring of human rights?
Monitoring is an active collection, verification, and use of information to promote and protect human rights.
Monitoring entails gathering information on human rights violations (e.g. working with discrimination victims), observing events (e.g. elections, demonstrations, and trials), visiting locations (e.g. prisons, psychiatric hospitals, and sites inhabited by socially excluded people), and meeting with stakeholders (e.g. state institutions, NGOs, academia).
What principles do we use in monitoring human rights?
- Do no harm: When monitoring, we never act in a way that worsens the situation in which the victim of a rights violation finds himself/herself, including in terms of physical or mental health.
- Respect the mandate: We always respect the powers and mandates granted to us by the Act No. 308/1993 Coll. on the Establishment of the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights and other relevant legislation when monitoring.
- Know the standards: We are always aware of the Slovak Republic’s international human rights obligations, as well as national legislation and policies governing human rights implementation.
- Use common sense: When monitoring, we always assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of the working methods and procedures we employ.
- Respect the authorities: We seek to change or support the response of relevant state authorities to a specific human rights situation through monitoring. Respectful monitoring can provide an opportunity for positive interaction with the state.
- Maintain credibility: We strive to maintain the credibility of our institution and our work through monitoring.
- Work with up-to-date and accurate information: When monitoring, we use the most up-to-date information we can get from credible sources. We use documentation methods that avoid inaccuracies in our work.
- Maintain objectivity and impartiality: Throughout our monitoring, we adhere to the 1993 Paris Principles governing the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights and act objectively and impartially.
What is the objective of monitoring?
Any monitoring exercise should aim to assess the level of implementation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, identify violations and systematic deficiencies in their protection and promotion, and recommend specific and achievable measures to the actors involved – taking into account participation, accountability, non-discrimination, legality, and the empowerment of society’s most vulnerable groups.