Slovakia: Proposed constitutional amendments would crush the rights of LGBTIQ+ people and be a backward step for gender equality

8 April 2025
Amnesty International

Amendments to the Constitution of Slovakia to recognize only two sexes (male and female) and limit adoption to only married heterosexual couples, would have a devastating impact on the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, said Amnesty International ahead of an expected debate and vote in the Slovak parliament.

The battery of proposed amendments would also restrict access to reproductive health by allowing refusal of abortion care by health professionals on the grounds of “conscience”, denying pregnant people safe and timely abortions and mandate parental approval on comprehensive sexuality education in schools. This would restrict children’s access to information necessary for sexual violence prevention, education about consent, and sexual and reproductive health, for example.

Continued: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2025/04/slovakia-proposed-constitutional-amendments-would-crush-the-rights-of-lgbtiq-people-and-be-a-backward-step-for-gender-equality/

Slovakia’s caretaker government opens abortion pill debate

By Barbara Zmušková | EURACTIV.sk
Jun 13, 2023

After years of attempts to restrict reproductive rights in Slovakia – where the only legal way of accessing abortion is surgery under anaesthesia – the caretaker government is now considering abortion pills.

The government is considering medical abortions, a safe and non-invasive alternative to surgical abortions, particularly in the early stages of pregnancy.

Continued: https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/slovakias-caretaker-government-opens-abortion-pill-debate/

13.06.2023

Refugees return to Ukraine due to reproductive, sexual challenges

By Aleksandra Krzysztoszek | EURACTIV.pl
May 16, 2023

Ukrainian refugees are temporarily returning home to receive sexual and reproductive healthcare after finding their options limited in Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, while others seek illegal solutions, according to a study published by the Centre for Reproductive Rights.

A study published on Tuesday, the work of nine international human rights organisations documents the alarming impact that restrictive national laws have on refugees seeking essential care and support.

Continued: https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/refugees-return-to-ukraine-due-to-reproductive-sexual-challenges/

Four disturbing aspects to Slovakia limiting abortion access for Ukrainian women

More reports about rapes by the Russian army against the Ukrainian girls and women who are arriving in Slovakia have been exposed. In the meantime, the Slovak parliament is discussing proposals on banning abortion for women without permanent residency. This cynical targeting of Ukrainian girls and women is disturbing, says Denisa Nešťáková.

22 April 2022
by Dr. Denisa Nešťáková

As more information on crimes perpetrated by the Russian army in Ukraine has been exposed, and more reports and testimonies on sexualised violence have been uncovered, the Slovak public has responded with horror. At first, society has been paralysed, but soon after, various NGOs started campaigns to collect and donate the so-called "morning-after" pills and abortion pills for Ukrainian girls and women raped and impregnated by Russian soldiers. Information on the availability of abortions in Slovakia was provided for them.

Continued: https://www.gwi-boell.de/en/2022/04/22/four-disturbing-aspects-slovakia-limiting-abortion-access-ukrainian-women

22.04.2022

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conscientious objection

Slovakia rejects proposed law restricting access to abortion

By The Associated Press
Thu., Nov. 11, 2021

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia’s parliament on Thursday narrowly rejected proposed legislation that would have tightened access to abortion in the European Union country.

The bill was rejected by one vote, as 67 of the 134 lawmakers present in
the 150-seat house voted in favor of it. A similar proposal to restrict
abortion was rejected a year ago, also by one vote.

Continued: https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ts/news/world/europe/2021/11/11/slovakia-rejects-proposed-law-restricting-access-to-abortion.html

11.11.2021

Slovakia: Attempt to rollback access to abortion must be rejected

November 10, 2021
Amnesty International

Ahead of tomorrow’s expected parliamentary vote on a bill that would severely restrict access to abortion in Slovakia, Rado Sloboda, Director of Amnesty Slovakia said:

“Imposing unjustified and harmful hurdles to getting an abortion would endanger the health and even the lives of women and girls and pregnant people and violates their human rights.

Continued: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/11/slovakia-attempt-to-rollback-access-to-abortion-must-be-rejected/

10.11.2021

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Amnesty International

Amnesty Slovakia

anti-choice restrictions

mandatory waiting period

Difficulties linger in accessing legal abortion in Slovakia

By Lucia Yar | EURACTIV.sk
Oct 10, 2021

As many as a third of all hospitals and
medical facilities surveyed refuse to provide legal abortions on the grounds of
conscientious objection, according to a study by the feminist organisation
Possibility of Choice.

Due to conscientious objection, individuals can refuse to perform certain
medical procedures based on their religious or personal beliefs. However, no
legal norm states that entire medical facilities can exercise conscientious
objection. In addition to hospitals, pharmacies often refer to it when refusing
to sell hormonal contraception to women.

Continued: https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/difficulties-linger-in-accessing-legal-abortion-in-slovakia/

10.10.2021

conscientious objection

harms of abortion refusal

Possibility of Choice

treatment refusals

UN Committee on the Rights of the Child

Europe Update: Abortion Rights at Risk in Poland and Slovakia

Center for Reproductive Rights
11.06.2020

Recent developments in Poland and Slovakia demonstrate the ongoing struggle to defend abortion rights against coordinated and systemic attacks on sexual and reproductive rights across the world.

Poland 
Poland has one of the most restrictive abortion laws in Europe and access to abortion in the country is extremely limited—and often practically impossible. Poland is one of only two countries in the European Union that does not allow abortion on request or on broad social grounds. A recent ruling by the country’s Constitutional Tribunal will make abortion care even more difficult to access.

Continued: https://reproductiverights.org/story/europe-update-abortion-rights-risk-poland-and-slovakia

In Europe and the US, abortion rights are under renewed threat

by Emma Reynolds, CNN
Sun November 1, 2020

(CNN)The Abortion Dream Team usually receives about 400 calls a month, from women seeking advice and information. Last week, the Polish advocacy group had 700 in the space of three days, according to team member Justyna Wydrzynska.

Some came from women who had just arrived at hospital to have abortions because of fetal defects -- only to be told to go home after Poland's highest court on October 22 imposed a near-total ban on abortion.

Continued: https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/01/europe/abortion-rights-poland-us-slovakia-intl/index.html

01.11.2020

anti-choice restrictions

Center for Reproductive Rights

Center of International Law

fetal defects

Geneva Consensus Declaration

Marie Stopes International

Poland Constitutional Tribunal

Poland Federation for Women and Family Planning

Roe v. Wade

Sarah Shaw

severe fetal abnormalities

Slovakian woman breaks silence on abortion as key vote nears

By Sophie Davies
OCTOBER 19, 2020

(Thomson Reuters Foundation) - When Ivana Gaziova had an abortion as a teenager, she didn’t want to talk about it to anyone apart from her closest cousin. Six years on, a push to tighten Slovakia’s abortion law impelled her to speak out.

Gaziova, a waitress from Bratislava, has gone public with her own story to campaign against the government-led proposal, which critics see as part of a trend towards more socially conservative policies in central Europe.

Continued: https://www.reuters.com/article/slovakia-women-abortion/feature-slovakian-woman-breaks-silence-on-abortion-as-key-vote-nears-idUSL8N2H65AV