Amnesty International: Passing of Constitutional Changes Devastating Development

Bratislava, 26 September (TASR) – Amnesty International Slovakia (AIS) considers the passing of the amendment to the Slovak Constitution by Parliament to be a devastating development, AIS communications coordinator Daniela Muzikova told TASR on Friday. According to the AIS, the change breaches international law and will lead to broader restrictions of human rights in Slovakia. "This is a devastating message. Instead of adopting specific measures to protect the rights of LGBTI+ people, children and women, our Parliament voted to approve constitutional changes that bring the Constitution into direct conflict with international law," said director of the non-profit organisation Rado Sloboda. Sloboda pointed out that Parliament, despite repeated warnings from EU institutions and experts, has prioritised Slovak law over international conventions and human rights standards. According to him, the change will have far-reaching consequences. On Friday, Parliament approved the government's amendment to the Constitution. It will enshrine the definition of two genders – male and female – in the Constitution. The amendment also introduces a guarantee of equality between men and women in terms of pay for work performed and further addresses child adoption and the educational process. mf/df