Human Rights Council elections 2008 - Slovakia

Amnesty International is deeply concerned at the situation of the Romani minority in Slovakia, many of whom face discrimination in access to education, housing, health care and other services.

Many Romani children continue to be segregated in Roma-only schools. Others are placed inappropriately in special schools and classes for children with mental disabilities or special educational needs where they receive a sub-standard education and have very limited chances of continuing on to secondary education. 

In 2006, only three percent of Romani children reached secondary school, while only eight percent enrolled in secondary technical school. Many factors, including physical and cultural isolation, poverty and lack of transport, prevent Romani children from attending school.

In November 2007, the European Commission called on Slovakia to take concrete measures on the ground to “bridge segregation” and to end discrimination against Romani children in education.

Roma live in very poor conditions, lacking access to plumbing, gas, electricity, water and sanitation facilities.  Their settlements are very often segregated from the main town or village, with little or no public transport.  There are also reports of forced evictions of Romani communities.  

In a landmark decision of the Constitutional Court in January 2007, compensation was granted to three Romani women who had been subjected to forced sterilization.

Reports indicate an increase in racist attacks against minorities and foreigners in Slovakia.  However, the response by law enforcement agencies has been inadequate.

Within the framework of the so-called "war on terror", Slovakia has in the past not rejected the use of "diplomatic assurances" from states not to torture people subject to an extradition procedure. Amnesty International was concerned by the decision by the Supreme Court in January 2008 to support the extradition of Mustapha Labsi to Algeria, where he would be at serious risk of torture or other ill-treatment.

However, in March 2008, the Constitutional Court suspended the enforceability of the Supreme Court's decision to extradite Mr Labsi. Until the Constitutional Court takes its final decision on Mr Labsi's appeal, he cannot be extradited to Algeria.

Recent Amnesty International statements and reports:

General

Amnesty International Annual Report extracts for Slovakia, 2005-2007

Discrimination of the Romani minority

Slovakia: Still separate, still unequal: Violations of the right to education of Romani children in Slovakia (Report, 15 November 2007)
Slovak Republic: Open letter regarding the Slovak Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers at the Council of Europe (15 November 2007)

Counter-terrorism and human rights

Further information on UA 320/07 - Torture/Ill-treatment: Mustapha Labsi (22 January 2008)
Slovak Republic: Torture/Ill-treatment: Mustapha Labsi (30 November 2007)
Slovakia: Extradition to Algeria would put Mustapha Labsi at risk of torture or other ill-treatment (28 November 2007)

Ratification of International Treaties

Treaty Status Recognition of specific competences of Treaty Bodies Reservations/Declarations
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Succeeded Art. 41 (inter-state complaints) Entered
Optional Protocol to the ICCPR Succeeded    
Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR on the death penalty      
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Succeeded   Entered
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Succeeded    
Optional Protocol to CEDAW Ratified Arts. 8 and 9 (inquiry procedure)  
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination Ratified Art. 14 (individual complaints)  
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) Succeeded Art. 21 (inter-state complaints)
Art. 22 (individual complaints) 		 
Optional Protocol to CAT      
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) Succeeded   Entered
Optional Protocol to the CRC on children in armed conflict Ratified   Entered
Optional Protocol to the CRC on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography Ratified    
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families      
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Signed    
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Ratified   Entered
Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees Succeeded   Entered
Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees Succeeded    
The Four Geneva Conventions Ratified    
Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts Ratified    
Protocol II to the Geneva Conventions relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts Ratified    
Protocol III to the Geneva Conventions relating to the Adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem Ratified    

Compliance with Reporting Obligations

Total Overdue Reports Up to 5 years overdue 5 -10 years overdue 10 years or more overdue
5 CAT: 4th periodic report
HRC: 3rd periodic report
CESCR: 2nd periodic report
CRC OP SC: initial report 		CAT: 3rd periodic report  

Cooperation with the Special Procedures

Extension of a standing invitation Outstanding visit requests (year requested) Forthcoming visits (dates if available) Missions carried out between May 2007 and April 2008
All Special Procedures None None None
Sources: