Justice Ministry: Freedom of Expression and Assembly Is Cornerstone of Democracy

Bratislava, 25 March (TASR) - Freedom of expression and assembly are the cornerstones of a democratic society, but their exercise must remain within the boundaries of the law and respect for the rights of others, according to a statement issued by the Justice Ministry on social media to mark the Struggle for Human Rights Day which commemorates the 1988 Candle Demonstration in Bratislava. The Justice Ministry also stressed that respect for differing opinions is one of the fundamental pillars of democracy. "In 1988, thousands of people gathered on Hviezdoslav Square in Bratislava with candles in their hands to publicly express their desire for the observance of fundamental human and civil rights. Key demands included the respect for human rights and freedom of religion," stated the ministry. "However, these rights come with a responsibility: to exercise them in a manner that respects others and maintains the dignity of public spaces," added the ministry. The Candle Demonstration of 1988 was one of the most pronounced public displays of resistance to the Communist regime in the erstwhile Czechoslovakia. Held on Hviezdoslav Square in Bratislava, it attracted a turnout reaching into the thousands, with people holding candles and expressing their views regarding the failure of the previous regime to observe human and especially religious rights. jrg