❓WHAT HAPPENED: Slovakia’s parliament passed a constitutional amendment recognizing only two sexes and limiting adoption rights to married couples.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government, conservative lawmakers, and international organizations such as Amnesty International.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The amendment was passed on Friday in Slovakia’s National Council.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Today, the Slovak government chose to follow the lead of countries, such as Hungary, whose policies have led to an erosion of human rights,” complained Amnesty International.
🎯IMPACT: The amendment strengthens traditional values, but is drawing backlash from the global “human rights” lobby.
Slovakia’s parliament passed a constitutional amendment on Friday that recognizes only two sexes, male and female, and restricts adoption rights to married couples. The amendment also guarantees equal pay for men and women and requires parental consent for sexual education.
The amendment, introduced by Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government, passed with 90 votes in the 150-seat National Council. Twelve opposition lawmakers from right-leaning parties supported the measure, which required a three-fifths majority to succeed.
Justice Minister Boris Susko stated that the amendment aims to strengthen traditional values. However, leftist human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the move. “Today, the Slovak government chose to follow the lead of countries, such as Hungary, whose policies have led to an erosion of human rights,” Amnesty International said in a statement.
The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, also criticized the amendment, arguing that it denies “the realities of trans and intersex people” and could violate Slovakia’s international obligations. He expressed concern over the potential impact on human rights guarantees, such as access to legal gender recognition.
In May 2024, Fico—a staunch nationalist and populist leader—was the target of an assassination attempt. Fico, who survived being shot, criticized Slovak media outlets, referring to them as “adversary media,” “anti-Slovak press,” and “[George] Soros’s herd of pigs,” for inspiring his shooting.
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