SLOVAKIA and Angola have ranked among the most criticised countries at the inter-parliamentary conference on population and development held in Portugal, according to MP Eva Černá of the ruling New Citizen's Alliance (ANO) party.

Angola was criticised for having the highest mortality rate of children up to four years of age, while concerns about Slovakia were raised with regard to a proposed treaty with the Holy See that would allow citizens to refuse to do work that was against their beliefs.

Under the treaty, judges would be able to refuse to take on divorce cases, and religious people could refuse to work on Sunday or during religious holidays.

Černá, who was representing Slovakia at the conference, said a British MP warned that Slovaks might be guilty of serious breaches of human rights if the treaty was signed.

"She specifically noted that no country has signed such a document with the Vatican," the liberal lawmaker noted, adding that she agrees with the British MP.

The wording of the treaty was prepared by the Justice Ministry, led by Christian Democrat (KDH) Justice Minister Daniel Lipšic, in cooperation with the Conference of Slovak Bishops.