JUSTICE Minister Daniel Lipšic claims that freedom of expression was violated during President George W Bush’s address on Hviezdoslavovo square on February 24, the daily SME reported.
That security personnel took away placards from people who were not preventing anyone from following the speech was a violation of the right to express oneself freely.
Lipšic added that even burning a flag could be a legitimate expression of an opinion, even if a very stupid one.
However, commenting on the case of two Czechs who burned a US flag during Bush's speech, Lipšic said that considering the proximity of the crowd it could be characterized as a disturbance. However, banning the burning of flags is at odds with freedom of expression, SME reported.
The Interior Ministry told journalists to contact the US Embassy in Bratislava to find out why people were stopped from burning the American flag.
Compiled by Beata Balogová from press reports
The
Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information
presented in its Flash News postings.
2. Mar 2005 at 10:46
