CCPR/C/79/Add.79
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11.
The Committee notes that various measures and steps are envisaged by the
Slovak authorities to further promote and protect human rights, including the
setting up of an Office of Ombudsman for Human Rights, and urges their rapid
implementation. It notes Slovakia's readiness to develop international
cooperation to secure either Czech or Slovak citizenship for all Roma children
already born and the intention expressed by the delegation to publish and
disseminate the full text of the Committee's concluding observations.
D.
Subjects of concern and the Committee's recommendations
12.
The Committee notes with concern that insufficient steps have been taken
to date to implement various provisions of the Constitution dealing with
fundamental rights and of the Covenant. In particular, the Committee regrets
the absence or inadequacy of laws regulating matters relating to article 14 of
the Covenant, with respect to the appointment of members of the judiciary;
article 4 of the Covenant; article 18, with respect to the right to
conscientious objection to military service without a punitive extension of
the period of service; and article 25 of the Covenant.
13.
The Committee regrets the lack of clarity regarding the
interrelationship of articles 11, 125 and 132 of the Constitution, especially
as to the Constitutional Court's competence conclusively to ensure that acts
and regulations of central or local governments comply with the Constitution
and international treaties, including the Covenant.
14.
The Committee expresses its concern over substantiated reports of
discrimination, particularly against women, and notes that independent
complaint mechanisms for victims of all forms of discrimination do not exist.
Therefore:
the Committee recommends that: (a) priority be given to addressing
discrimination, in particular through training and education campaigns;
and (b) mechanisms to monitor non-discrimination laws and to receive and
investigate complaints from victims urgently be established.
15.
The Committee is concerned about reports that Roma people are often
victims of racist attacks, without receiving adequate protection from law
enforcement officers. Therefore:
the Committee reiterates its recommendations made under (a) and (b) of
paragraph 14 above.
16.
The Committee is concerned about cases of excessive use of force by law
enforcement officials as well as maltreatment of detainees during police
custody. The Committee notes that the law enforcement system will only be
able to function properly when sufficient attention is given to the training
of law enforcement officials. Therefore:
the Committee recommends the setting up of appropriate training
programmes for law enforcement and custodial personnel in the field of
human rights, especially on articles 7, 9 and 10 of the Covenant. More
generally, the Committee recommends that training programmes be set up
for professional groups such as judges, lawyers and public servants, and