UOO Welcomes Constitutional Court's Decision to Suspend its Abolition

Bratislava, 17 December (TASR) – The Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers (UOO) welcomed Wednesday's decision by the Constitutional Court to suspend the effects of the legislation abolishing the UOO and establishing a new office, Alexandra Znasikova from the UOO's press department told TASR on the same day. She added that the UOO has repeatedly warned from the beginning about the problematic aspects of the legislation in terms of compliance with the Slovak Constitution and European Union law. "The decision of the Constitutional Court indicates that the protection of whistleblowers cannot be weakened through fast-tracked legislative procedures, retroactive interventions, or political influence on independent institutions. We consider today's ruling an important milestone in safeguarding the rule of law in Slovakia," Znasikova said. Earlier in the day, the Constitutional Court suspended the law's effectiveness at a closed-door session. It accepted in full a petition by a group of opposition members of Parliament for further proceedings. In their filing, the opposition argues a possible conflict between the legislation and the Constitution as well as European Union law, and also challenges the process of its adoption under a fast-tracked legislative procedure. MPs criticise, for example, the shortening of the term of office of the duly elected head of the Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers, as well as changes related to granting and reviewing whistleblower protection. The petition to the Constitutional Court was also supported by Public Ombudsman Robert Dobrovodsky, who fears irreversible interference with fundamental rights and freedoms. He sees the main problem in a provision allowing previously granted whistleblower protection to be reviewed at any time, which he says introduces unpredictability into the system. mf