PRESS RELEASE OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SLOVAKIA
4 SEPTEMBER 2025
UN experts have assessed the proposed amendment to the Slovak constitution. They unequivocally confirmed that the amendment is not in line with international human rights standards and are calling on the Parliament of the Slovak Republic to reconsider the adoption of the constitutional changes. The assessment confirms what several human rights organizations have been warning about for a long time: the current attempts to amend the constitution represent a frontal attack on the human rights and dignity of all people in Slovakia.
UN experts call on the Slovak Parliament to „reconsider the adoption of the proposed constitutional law and ensure that any constitutional reform is in line with international human rights obligations,“ emphasizing that „any constitutional reform should strengthen, not weaken, the protection of human rights based on international human rights standards.“ „
The assessment of the constitutional amendment was requested from the UN experts by Amnesty International Slovakia, the Roma Advocacy and Research Center, neon collective, Saplinq, inTYMYta, Freedom of Choice, community foundation nadácia Zdravé mesto, and Záhrada – Centre of independent culture, which are all part of the Human Rights Coalition.
According to available information, the Government of the Slovak Republic has not yet responded to the UN experts‘ assessment.
This is already the second such letter this year. The first letter, sent in May, urged the Slovak government to immediately end the stigmatization and persecution of non-governmental organizations and journalists.
„The state and its power have historically been the greatest violator of human rights. That is why the international system for the protection of our rights has been established through human rights conventions and related protection mechanisms. UN experts have repeatedly pointed out that Slovakia must respect these conventions and mechanisms, otherwise it will jeopardize the human rights of all the people in the country. We therefore once again strongly call on members of parliament to fulfil their duties, protect human rights, and stop this harmful proposed constitutional amendment,“ said Rado Sloboda, director of Amnesty International Slovakia.
Cultural issues, protection of morality, and legal uncertainty
The experts have pointed out that the wording on preserving Slovakia’s sovereignty in „matters of national identity“ and in resolving „cultural and ethical issues“ relies on
vaguely defined terms. If enshrined in law, these changes would pose a threat to human rights and equality and create legal uncertainty.
The assessment states that „human rights legislation should aim to extend their protection in accordance with international law, not to restrict it.“ According to experts, members of parliament should refrain from restricting the rights of people who disagree with them on issues of so-called national identity or other topics. The declared interest in protecting the so-called Slovak culture must not serve as „a pretext for denying equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms to persons with different cultural values, political opinions, or identities.“ Experts were similarly critical of restricting human rights on the grounds of protecting morality, regardless of the prevalence of prejudice or discrimination in society. According to international law, moral condemnation of LGBTI+ people and couples „does not constitute a legitimate basis for restricting human rights.“
Protection and non-discrimination of LGBTI+ people
Experts also voiced criticism that the constitutional amendment would lead to the legal recognition of only two biologically determined genders, male and female, while completely excluding transgender, non-binary, and intersex persons, who could lose legal protection and face discrimination as a result of this change. In addition, the amendment could effectively prevent access to official gender recognition.
The provision stating that „the parents of a child are the mother and the father; the mother of a child is a woman, and the father of a child is a man“ would put the constitution into direct conflict with international human rights standards. This change would lead to a ban on the adoption of children by transgender, non-binary, and intersex people, and Slovakia would fail to meet its international legal obligations, including the obligation to protect people from discrimination.
Right to education
The experts also critically assessed the efforts to restrict children’s right to education. In their opinion, they point out that a constitutional restriction on access to comprehensive sex and relationship education is not in line with international standards, including the legal protection of children. According to the experts, limiting age-appropriate education in schools based on the prior consent of legal guardians could also negatively affect the educational outcomes and well-being of students, as well as increase the risk of bullying and sexual violence.
