The centre provided an alternative report on Slovakia to the Committee against Torture

Under its mandate as an NHRI, the Centre conducts monitoring of implementation of international human rights instruments in the Slovak Republic. The Centre regularly submits alternative reports to the human rights monitoring mechanisms that monitor implementation of the core international human rights treaties by State parties and their obligations and address recommendations to improve the human rights situation in Slovakia.

In March 2023, in relation to the review of the 4th periodic report of the Slovak Republic on the implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, we submitted an alternative report with our findings to the UN Committee against Torture.  In the alternative report, we addressed several human rights challenges in Slovakia:

1. We underline the need to adopt legislative amendments providing full compliance of the law on functioning of the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights with the Paris Principles, which represent international standards for ensuring the effective and independent functioning of national human rights institutions.
   
2. We support the early ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and point out the need to allocate sufficient material, financial and personal resources to the institutions forming the National Preventive Mechanism.
   
3. We report on issues of ill-treatment and excessive use of force by law enforcement authorities against Roma and recommend the adoption of the necessary measures to prevent ill-treatment, including the use of body cameras, and any allegations of excessive use of force or ill-treatment is sufficiently and systematically addressed, subject to effective and impartial investigation.
   
4. We also report on past cases of involuntary sterilizations of Roma women. We welcome the Apology of the Government of the Slovak Republic for sterilization of women in violation of the law, as well as the legislative intent of the law on financial compensation for victims/survivors. However, we draw attention to the need to ensure prompt, independent, impartial and effective investigation of all past cases of involuntary sterilizations and ensure access to effective remedies for victims.
   
5. We also address the issue of involuntary sterilization of transgender persons as requirement for legal gender recognition and recommend that Slovakia provide accessible healthcare for transgender persons in line with international human rights standards.
   
6. We also drew attention to the high prevalence of domestic and partner violence during the COVID-19 pandemic and recommend ensuring the effective functioning of intervention centers and helplines for victims/survivors of domestic violence.

The Center’s alternative report in relation to the 4th periodic report of the Slovak Republic on the implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment is available for reading on this link.

We will also present our findings in April 2023 at a meeting with the UN Committee against Torture and we will further inform you about the results of the Committee’s examination of Slovakia.