Good evening. Here is the Wednesday, April 9 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Two similar letters from Human Rights Commissioner to Slovakia in a year
Illustrative image. (source: TASR)
Not even a year has passed since Michael O'Flaherty, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, expressed concern about the compatibility of two draft laws affecting civil society and the public service broadcaster with human rights standards.
In the May 2024 letter, he was concerned that the registration and labelling of 'organisations with foreign support' will have a chilling effect on civil society in Slovakia.
Last Friday, he addressed another letter to the Slovak MPs once again calling on them not to approve the bill by which the government coalition wants to introduce significant restrictions on civil society and label selected NGOs, civic associations and other third sector organisations as lobbyists, and that by doing so the government would unduly stigmatise them.
What O'Flaherty points out: For example, some of the terminology used, such as "directly or indirectly influencing" decision-making in the lobbying amendments, are of a very wide scope and give state authorities excessive discretion to determine what this means, raising issues about the foreseeability of the law. In addition, he notes that that some measures target only civil society organisations, and not others potentially carrying out similar activities, which may make them discriminatory; high fines may be disproportionate; and reference to Interior Ministry's ability to dissolve civic organisations.
"All the above raises questions about the proposals being able to meet the requirement of being necessary in a democratic society within the meaning of the ECHR," he opines.
Last Thursday, thousands of people took to the streets of Bratislava, chanting "Shame on this government!" as they marched to parliament in protest against a controversial bill targeting non-governmental organisations.
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SOON IN CINEMAS: An upcoming Hollywood action flick is being shot in northern Slovakia, bringing movie stars John Cena and Jessica Biel. The latter's visit also took a personal turn as her ancestors emigrated from Žilina Region.
SLOVAKIA: Police is looking into suspicions of a state coup being prepared. Meanwhile, most Slovaks see the claim as an attempt to hide problems of the country.
DISINFORMATION: Almost half of Slovaks believe Putin's genocide lie
BUSINESS: Slovakia is not prepared for the changes in the world, says former finance minister Ivan Mikloš, adding that US President Donald Trump's policies will lead to a crisis.
CULTURE: An unusual and independent cultural space in the form of a decommissioned tram car on an Bratislava embankment will end its operation soon. Until it happens, there are several events to look forward to.
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FEATURE STORY
Slovakia in Alzheimer's research premier league
Neuroimmunologist Norbert Žilka. (source: Linda Kisková Bohušová)
According to neuroimmunologist Norbert Žilka, Slovakia is among the leading countries in research into the degenerative condition. And there are three reasons for its success. Find out more about the current trends, how he got involved in the field in an interview with The Slovak Spectator.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Return of a phenomenon in Trnava
Wood will be an important part of the Pašiové Hry theatrical event. (source: Zaži v Trnave)
For more than 100 years, Trnava used to play host to Pašiové Hry, a theatrical and religious event that lured hundreds of visitors, both local and foreign, to the town. However, 2005 saw the last edition. Now, after 20 years, this weekend will see the return of the event to the Bernolákov Sad park in the form of an open-air theatrical performance.
The story is based on Bible and depicts a wanderer who does not believe anything. However, over the course of the play, he learns that there is still a seed of truth in the world. The production will feature professional actors, period costumes blended with modern technology. Admission is free, learn more here.
IN OTHER NEWS
Opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) tops the new NMS agency poll for April with 23.2 percent of the votes, followed by Smer with 19.9 percent. NMS analyst Mikuláš Hanes says that while the support for PS is stagnating, the support for Smer tends to ebb and flow depending on the current affairs. The poll was carried out in the first week of April when the controversial transaction tax proposed by Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický (Smer) came into effect. Extremist Republika ended up third with 9.2 percent, switching position with coalition Hlas with 8.5 percent. This is the first time the latter placed fourth since the 2023 election. Opposition parties KDH, Slovensko and SaS would also get into the parliament with 6.9, 6.8 and 6.5 percent, respectively. The Demokrati party came up 0.2 percent short of the 5 percent threshold. (SME)
The Slovak Antifascist Movement warned that due to the pressure of the extremist Republika party, several schools across Slovakia have cancelled events in recent months; these include commemoration of the victims of the Zámocká terrorist attack, a lecture on hoaxes, a charity event, as well as a call against hatred. "Giving in to neo-Nazi and neo-fascist movements strengthens their aggressiveness. When society does not resist discrimination and propaganda, extremist groups gain self-confidence. History shows us that fascist regimes were not defeated by retreat and indifference, but by active resistance of democratic forces," emphasized the movement, adding that people have to get out of their comfort zone. (SITA)
Following his meeting with Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini said Slovakia will support India in its bid to become a new permanent member of the UN Security Council. Both heads of state signed two memorandums of understanding, one concerning cooperation in training and the exchange of diplomats, and the other on cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises. On Thursday, April 10, they will visit the Jaguar Land Rover plant in Nitra, the biggest Indian investment in Slovakia. Later on the day, Murmu was received by Speaker Richard Raši (Hlas) and PM Robert Fico (Smer). (TASR)
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini (left) and Indian President Draupadi Murmu in Bratislava. (source: TASR)
On Wednesday, the main trial of former Supreme Court president Štefan Harabin for endorsing Russia's aggression in Ukraine was launched. He is facing charges of defaming a nation, race and beliefs and approving of a crime. At the beginning of the trial he said he is innocent, while his lawyer Ján Foltán claims the indictment is politically motivated. Harabin faces up to three years in prison. (TASR)
Due to the proposed culling of 350 bears in Slovakia, the Slovak and Polish branch of Greenpeace announced a joint collection of signatures under an open letter to Slovak PM Robert Fico and European Commissioner for Environment Jessika Roswall. The branches claim that the plan will have impact far outside the territory of Slovakia and directly threaten the bear populations in the neighbouring countries. Greenpeace also criticises the Slovak government for ignoring well-established measures to prevent incidents between humans and bears. (TASR)
State-owned aircraft repair company LOTN will repair F-16 aircraft. An agreement on setting up a joint organisation for repairing and maintaining the fighter jets was signed by LOTN director Juraj Laus and head of Norway's Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (KAMS) Andre Jaegtvik. Slovakia is amidst switching to F-16, it currently has five out of 14 aircraft ordered. (TASR)
The coalition SNS party will propose that the transaction tax should be scrapped for sole traders and companies with a turnover of up to €100,000 at the current or next parliamentary session. The party would like the measure to come into force as of mid-year. Party chair Andrej Danko added that complete abolition of the tax would be irresponsible for the time being. (TASR)
A subspecies of the spring snowflake (Leucojum vernum) called carpaticum in the Jovsianska Hrabina natural reserve in eastern Slovakia. The plant is protected by law in Slovakia. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR THURSDAY: Expect a windy and rainy day with changing cloud cover. Chance of snowing above middle latitudes in northern and north-eastern Slovakia as level 1 snow and snowdrift warning issued for these districts. Daily temperatures will rise to between 7 °C to 13 °C.
Several weather warnings were issued, including level 2 wind warnings for both the Low Tatras and High Tatras, level 1 wind warning for Malá Fatra and Veľká Fatra mountain ranges, level 1 ground frost warning across Slovakia - see the maps here. (SHMÚ)
APRIL 10 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Igor
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