Ombudsman Requested Police Protection Due to Threats Received by His Office

Ombudsman Robert Dobrovodský has requested police protection for his colleagues' workplace in response to hateful threats his office has been receiving. The threats began after he recently challenged the conditions for the registration of churches and religious societies before the Constitutional Court. On social media, Dobrovodský stated that he considers such attacks to be extremely serious and unacceptable.

Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer-SD) said earlier that he does not understand the move and considers it to be dangerous. Also, Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok (Hlas-SD) stated on social media that he does not understand why the Ombudsman needs to come up with the issue of registering new churches. He considers the 50,000-member requirement to be a reasonable and necessary minimum.

Although Dobrovodský responded to a request from the Old Catholics in Slovakia, Šutaj Eštok told him: “We want to continue building churches for our children in Slovakia, not mosques.” The Public Defender of Rights emphasized that, in his view, all residents of Slovakia are equal.

Following the public statements saying that he wants to "Islamise Slovakia", a wave of hateful reactions, insults and threats from specific individuals has been unleashed against him and the Office of the Public Defender of Rights.

"The false rhetoric of public officials can directly contribute to the escalation of aggression towards independent institutions and their staff. That's why I have asked the Police Corps to protect the workplace of my colleagues," said Dobrovodský, adding that he plans to remain in contact with the police.

A submission to the Constitutional Court is a legitimate and lawful instrument for protecting fundamental rights and freedoms, he said.

Source: TASR