'Slovakia': SNS Bill Paving Way for Extremism

Bratislava, 16 January (TASR) - The opposition 'Slovakia' party has again criticised the amendment to the Criminal Code drafted by the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS), rejecting softer penalties for extremism, the party's presidium member Peter Pollak told a press conference on Friday. "The current coalition is cutting penalties for extremism; in other words, it's making those who spread extremism in Slovakia stronger," stated Pollak, describing this as a precedent. He also believes that the bill paves the way for extremists. "I'm convinced that if we open the door to extremists, this will affect a huge number of people living in Slovakia, regardless of whether they are Roma, Jews or Slovaks," remarked Pollak. He also fears that there will be an increase in cases of verbal or physical violence after the bill is approved. "Extremism is not an opinion at all. Extremism is a crime, and it should be treated as such. It's absurd that the current government is basically downplaying extremism," said Pollak, adding that the amendment is aimed at helping people close to the governing coalition. The amendment has also been criticised by MP Peter Pollak Jr. ('Slovakia'-For the People caucus) who is afraid that it will be supported by other parties in Parliament. "This proposal must have been communicated within the coalition. The Voice-SD party may be putting on a show that it won't agree with this bill right now, but the question is what it will do once the bill is tabled in Parliament," he added. A group of SNS MPs has submitted an amendment to the Criminal Code to Parliament. Among other things, it proposes changes to sentencing ranges for extremist crimes, including lowering the upper limits for several offences. The MPs argued that sentencing should be set in a more rational and differentiated manner. SNS also wants to remove provisions on the production, distribution and possession of extremist materials, arguing that this would eliminate legally uncertain regulations. It claimed that criminal law protection of so-called protected interests would be preserved after the change. The coalition Voice-SD party has said that it won't support the amendment, as it finds the proposal to be in direct conflict with the values on which Slovakia is founded. It has rejected lowering the upper limits on sentences for extremist offences. jrg/df