JOINT STATEMENT BY NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND COLLECTIVES
3 APRIL 2025
Non-profit organizations and collectives consider Erik Kaliňák’s statements towards Sylvia Porubänová, director of the Slovak National Center for Human Rights (SNSĽP), and the statements made by the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic towards Via Iuris to be unacceptable attacks on an important independent institution and a non-governmental organization that play a key role in defending human rights, the rule of law, and civil society.
The SNSĽP, the national human rights body, recently called on members of the Slovak Parliament not to support the parliamentary bill proposal on non-profit organizations or the amendment to this bill. In its appeal, the SNSĽP warns: „We consider the amendment in its current form to be completely unacceptable, contrary to constitutional political rights and seriously undermining the rule of law in the Slovak Republic. We would particularly like to point out the fact that the amendment itself, in its justification, refers to several international recommendations and publications on lobbying, yet it is in direct contradiction with them.“ In response to this appeal, E. Kaliňák attacked the SNSĽP and its director.
A similar situation arose when Via Iuris published its analysis of the same bill. In its detailed analysis of the current amendment, it points out that the bill „introduces not only elements that are unconstitutional, but also those that are contrary to EU law and the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.“ In response to the organization’s opinion, the Office of the Government stated that Via Iuris distorts the facts in key areas in its analysis. Later, the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic also launched a harsh attack on the organization.
The adoption of the law would constitute an attack on civil society and human rights and would be contrary to Slovakia’s international obligations. The analyses and calls from SNSĽP and Via Iuris regarding the draft law are therefore entirely justified.
Similar calls and analyses, such as those published by SNSĽP and Via Iuris, are a legitimate and common part of the work of national human rights bodies and civil society organizations, and it is very important that we still have institutions in Slovakia that analyze and draw attention to problematic legislative proposals. However, the response to the SNSĽP’s expert statements were personal invectives and public intimidation of the SNSĽP director by some politicians, as well as calls for her to resign from her position. The response to Via Iuris‘ comprehensive analysis were coarse insults and accusations of deception, misrepresentation and lying to the public.
Such attacks by politicians are unacceptable in a country that respects human rights and the importance of civil society institutions and human rights bodies. We strongly condemn these attacks and express our full support and solidarity with the SNSĽP, its director S. Porubänová, the Via Iuris organization, as well as other institutions, organizations, and individuals who defend human rights, civil society, and the rule of law in Slovakia.
Civil society organizations and collectives therefore call on political representatives to refrain from personal attacks on employees and representatives of human rights bodies, non-profit organizations, and civil society organizations, and to respond to criticism of the activities of parliament, the government, and other state bodies in a factual and professional manner, with respect for the human rights and dignity of the persons concerned.
The undersigned organizations also join the appeals on members of the National Council of the Slovak Republic to unequivocally reject this harmful, stigmatizing, and restrictive bill proposal.
