“Although Slovakia has taken important measures to advance its human rights agenda, much more ambitious targets need to be set for eradicating the social exclusion and marginalisation of Roma and persons with disabilities. Also much more should be done to reinforce the effectiveness of the existing national human rights institutions,” said today Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the end of his five-day visit to the country.
The chronic, pervasive segregation of Roma children in the education system and high rates of school drop-out are matters of serious concern. The Commissioner welcomes the pilot projects and recent legislative proposals aimed at preventing the placement of Roma children in special schools. However, Slovakia must also take resolute steps to reduce the isolation of Roma children in mono-ethnic schools, often located near Roma settlements. “Segregated environments deprive Roma and non-Roma children of the opportunity to interact with each other and they also reinforce deeply ingrained anti-Gypsyism. I was particularly saddened to see the seriously sub-standard living conditions of Roma in the settlements of Moldava nad Bodvou and Velká Ida.”
The Commissioner is alarmed at the numerous reports concerning excessive use of force by police officers during raids carried out in Roma settlements, and notes with concern the delays and slow pace of investigation into these incidents. “The authorities should ensure the thorough and prompt investigation of all instances of ill-treatment by law enforcement officials and impose dissuasive penalties on those responsible. The establishment of an independent complaints mechanism covering the action of law enforcement authorities, in accordance with Council of Europe standards, would be a useful step in this direction.” (more...)
See also:
Slovakia and the Council of Europe