U.S. Mission to International
Organizations in Geneva

U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of Slovakia

32nd Session
Geneva, January 28, 2018

as delivered by Anna Palladino

The United States welcomes the Slovakian delegation to the UPR Working Group.

1. We recommend that Slovakia:Reform the police and prosecution services by improving transparency and oversight to combat corruption, increase accountability, and improve public trust in the judicial system.
2. Implement and rigorously enforce ethical standards and reforms to the judicial selection and appointment process in order to safeguard the justice system and judicial accountability.
3. Increase funding for equal access to education by Roma children in inclusive, mainstream education, per commitments in the National Roma Integration Strategy.

The United States welcomes Slovakia’s reforms to the process for selecting judges for general courts and the adoption of a judicial code of conduct.  These improvements are positive steps towards restoring the public faith in equal justice and the rule of law.

However, we note with concern the recurring violence targeting members of minority groups, most frequently members of the Roma community.  We also note with concern the significant shortfalls in integrating Roma and in combatting widespread discrimination in employment, education, health care, housing, criminal justice, and other public services.