Statement of Slovakia

18.03.2004

Mr Chairman, Mr. Acting High Commissioner, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,


Let me express full support of the Government of the Slovak Republic to you, Mr. Chairman and the whole Bureau in performing your important duties at the 60th session of the Commission on Human Rights.

The Slovak Republic welcomes the appointment of Judge Louise Arbour to the office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. I would like to wish her every success in the performance of her responsible position, and express the readiness of the Slovak Republic to actively co-operate with her office. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Bertrand Ramcharan for his work at the post of the High Commissioner ad interim.

Mr. Chairman,

One year ago here, in Geneva, I met High Commissioner Sergio Vieira de Mello. I was greatly impressed by his enthusiasm and his deep belief in the idea of human rights. I wish to express deep sorrow over his tragic death. Sergio Vieira de Mello became one of the victims of international terrorism.

Following last week’s heinous terrorist bombing in Madrid, we note with great concern that now every continent has its own 11th of September. I would like to extend the deepest sympathy on behalf of the Slovak Government and the citizens of our country to the Government of Spain, its citizens and all the families bereaved by recent tragic events. By the same token, I express sympathy for the victims of all terrorist attacks everywhere in the world. Bloody explosions that ripped Madrid represent yet another link in the chain of violence. They represent a serious memento for all the democratic forces that decided, in 1945, to bring an end to the scourge of war and violence by creating the United Nations Organisation. International terrorism is openly undermining the fundamental aims of the U.N. It is striking against international peace and security, development of friendly relations among the nations, and against the status of the UN as a centre for addressing major political, economic, social and cultural problems in the world. It weakens support for, protection, and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms. From this perspective, the fight against international terrorism is a question of principle also for the Slovak Republic. Ex iniuria ius non oritur.

We realise, at the same time, that the fight against terrorism must not entail other violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Mr. Chairman,

Although Slovakia as a sovereign democratic state has existed only for eleven years, our country, lying in the heart of Europe, has for centuries been on the crossroads of different nations, cultures, traditions and religions. Coexistence has taught us many things. We have learned a lesson from our both negative and positive historical experience. Being a multiethnic state, we have great understanding for the concept of tolerance. We therefore know very well why racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all expressions of religious or other intolerance must be so vigorously condemned. We are currently in the process of carrying out the third Action Plan for the Prevention of All Forms of Discrimination, Racism, Xenophobia, Anti-Semitism and other Expressions of Intolerance for the period of 2004 - 2005. These days, the Slovak Parliament is debating the draft law on equal treatment and protection from discrimination, the so-called anti-discrimination law, which the Government passed in February.

Just as other countries, we are concerned with the resurgence of anti-Semitism in many parts of the world. The horrors of the Holocaust are a constant warning. The Slovak Republic is one of those countries that have indemnified the Jewish victims of Nazi terror. We, however, perceive the Holocaust in a broader context. It teaches us to remember the extermination in concentration camps also of thousands of innocent Roma. For this reason, we in Slovakia commemorate the 9th of September as the Day of the Holocaust and Racial Violence Victims. We consider the issue of preventing anti-Semitism to be extremely sensitive, as it is one that we have direct historical experience with. At the same time, and perhaps for that very reason, we are supporting all the efforts of the international community at suppressing any expression of religious intolerance, including Islamophobia.

Mr. Chairman,

Addressing the situation of the Roma is one of our policy priorities. Forceful assimilation of Roma during the Communist period affected this community in a very negative manner, and caused its social structure to disintegrate, with subsequent consequences for deteriorating relations between the mainstream and minority populations. Improving this situation and fighting deep-seated prejudice is no easy task. It requires a sensitive and comprehensive long-term approach supported, after Slovakia’s accession to the EU next May, by intensive co-operation among the Member States, with the involvement of relevant Community bodies. At any rate, the so-called Roma problem is a complex and multifaceted one, and has both its national and international dimensions. We are striving at coming to terms with the problem not only from the aspect of its underlying political, economic, social and cultural relationships, but also from the aspect of its evolution.

The Slovak Government adopted a new strategic document entitled „Basic Theses of the Slovak Government Policies for the Integration of Roma Communities“, based on the principle of temporary equalising measures (affirmative action). The basic premise of this policy is that integration means coexistence between the majority and the minorities in the conditions of equality and mutual enrichment. Roma in Slovakia enjoy the constitutionally guaranteed status of a national minority, and all the rights this entails in the area of preserving and developing their cultural and linguistic identity. On the other hand, most Roma belong among the group of citizens suffering from increased social vulnerability. In an effort at dealing with this situation, we are striving – in co-operation with Roma organisations and international institutions – for creating legal, material, financial and other conditions, including appropriate media policy and various affirmative measures, as may be necessary to further the process of integration of Roma into the society. In keeping with the principle of equal treatment I would like to underline that the Roma as citizens of the Slovak Republic, have both equal rights and equal duties and responsibilities. A multicultural society is a challenge for everyone - it means exchange, taking and giving and all that is enriching for everyone.


Mr. Chairman,

In a few weeks’ time, the Slovak Republic will join both the EU and NATO.

This fact will even further stress the human right dimension of our foreign policy. We realise that in evaluating the situation of human rights in other countries, one must take account of the distinctive features and different traditions, formed as a result of special cultural development of these countries, but always stressing the fact that human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated.

The Slovak Republic is seriously committed to the strengthening of democratic process in the east of our border, in the area of the Balkans and in the Middle East. We are very much aware of our situation in the centre of Europe and, at the same time, at the border of the enlarged EU. We will feel the most immediate impact of the problems brought about by the growing numbers of asylum seekers and migrants, and the related human rights issues. Consequently, the strengthening of the democratic processes and respect for human rights in the regions that are adjacent on the EU represent our priority concern and objective.

Mr. Chairman,

The Human Rights Commission is the forum for co-operation in the attainment of UN objectives in the field of human rights and, at the same time, for dealing with human rights situation in individual countries of the world. Both of these functions are irreplaceable.

I would like to conclude by wishing you every success in your deliberations and in the fulfilment of your mandate.

Thank you for your attention.