ALVARO Gil-Robles, Commissioner for Human Rights for the Council of Europe, recommended the Slovak government strengthen its laws and practices relating to the sterilization of Slovak women.
Gil-Robles said that sterilizations without women's informed consent took place in Slovakia. Although the commissioner did not conclude that in Slovakia there was an active policy of illegal sterilizations, Gil-Robles expected the cabinet to make sure that Slovak sterilization legislation is improved.
The comments came in response to alleged coerced sterilizations of Roma women in eastern Slovakia published in a report entitled Body and Soul by a group of NGOs in January this year.
Police investigation failed to confirm the allegations, however.
Compiled by Martina Pisárová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
