Children's Ombudsman Jozef Miklosko was concerned about the events at the Centre for Children and Family Trnava regarding religious education practices, TASR was told by Maria Gregusova from the office of the Children's Ombudsman.
The ombudsman appeals to all the statutory bodies of facilities where children are placed to fully respect the freedoms and rights of children and not to force any position on religious freedom issues from children.
"The ombudsman draws attention to the fact that freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief is a fundamental human right of every person, including a child. This right also includes the expression of faith freely alone or with others, as well as participation in religious acts and religious education. The concept of freedom of thought also includes the right not to have a belief," pointed out the office.
The Prosecutor-General's Office reported on Thursday that it had taken action against the enforcement of religious practices and faith upon children at the Trnava-based centre, with a prosecutor instantly shutting down its 'Spiritual Programme'. It justified its decision by saying that the programme had no support in law and interfered in an inadmissible way with the freedom of religion and belief.
Source: TASR
