Ahead of the September 25 vote in the Slovak parliament, Amnesty International Slovakia has called on lawmakers to reject proposed constitutional amendments that would recognize only two genders, restrict comprehensive sexuality education, and limit adoption to married heterosexual couples. Rado Sloboda, Director of Amnesty International Slovakia, warned that if passed, the changes would “deal a devastating blow to gender equality, human rights, and the rule of law in Slovakia.”
“These amendments, cloaked in the language of ‘national identity,’ would strip away rights to private and family life, education, and healthcare from children, women, and LGBTI people,” Sloboda said. He added that the measures breach EU law and international human rights treaties, undermining both national and international legal standards.
Currently, Slovak legislation recognizes only two sexes. The proposed amendments would further entrench this binary understanding, making future recognition of gender-diverse, intersex, and non-binary people more difficult, while restricting legal gender recognition for transgender individuals.
Another provision would require parental approval for comprehensive sexuality education in schools, potentially limiting children’s access to vital information on sexual violence prevention, consent, and sexual and reproductive health.
Amnesty International has highlighted that these amendments form part of a broader attempt to roll back rights in Slovakia. The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, multiple UN Special Rapporteurs, and EU institutions have expressed concern, recommending withdrawal or rejection of the proposed changes. On September 1, UN Special Procedures mandate holders published a legal review confirming the amendments’ incompatibility with international human rights standards.
Sloboda concluded: “Parliamentarians must take a stand for fairness, equality, and dignity for everyone—reject these draconian amendments and protect human rights in Slovakia.”
