UPR of Slovakia
18th Session of the Universal Periodic Review
Delivered by Tabitha Snowbarger
February 3, 2014
Thank you.
The United States warmly welcomes the Slovak delegation to the UPR Working Group and congratulates Slovakia on the completion of its national report and presentation today.
We welcome increased attention by the Slovak government to the need for Roma integration, including the passage in January 2012 of the National Roma Integration Strategy of the Slovak Republic up to 2020.
However, we note with concern recent extremist activities targeting Roma with violence and threats of violence as well as ongoing societal discrimination against Roma persons, including with respect to employment and occupation.
We also note with concern a continued lack of accountability in the judicial system, reports of abuse of power by judges, and low public trust in the fairness and integrity of the judiciary.
Bearing in mind these concerns, we recommend that Slovakia:
- Fully implement its National Roma Integration Strategy to combat socio-economic marginalization and discrimination and continue to condemn all acts of violence against Roma persons;
- Continue to strengthen efforts to eliminate discrimination in employment and occupation faced particularly by women and Roma persons, pursuant to recommendations of ILO supervisory bodies;
- Fully implement the European Commission’s 2013 recommendations related to the reform of public administration and the efficiency of the judicial system.
Thank you Madame Vice President