The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is pointing to racist statements in the Slovak media – made by both politicians and journalists.
The Committee reported that it remains concerned by the increase in expressions of hatred directed mainly against Roma, the Hungarian minority and foreign nationals in media and on the Internet, including social networkind, as well as in sports. This stems from the report on negotiating the ninth and tenth non-periodical report of Slovakia on the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination before the UN Committee.
Although the Committee acknowledged all the legislative measures adopted to support languages of ethnic minorities in radio and television broadcasts, it considers further steps necessary. The SITA newswire quoted the Committee as recommending Slovakia identify individuals or groups inciting racial hatred against minorities and foreigners, and to investigate and sanction politicians, government representatives and media staffers for expressions of hatred.
The Interior Ministry reacted by pointing to the Concept for Fighting Against Extremism for 2011 and 2014 and by claiming that the tasks described in the Concept are effectively completed.
The Slovak reports were negotiated in Genoa back in February, with a Slovak delegation present. The Committee consisting of 18 experts is mainly tasked to monitor the practical implementation of the Convention by its signatories. The ninth and tenth reports deal with the years 2009 to 2012.
(Source: SITA)
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
