The Constitutional Court of Slovakia ruled on Wednesday (17 December) that the amendment to the law on nonprofit organizations is incompatible with the Slovak Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. The decision was made at a closed plenary session.
The amendment was challenged by a group of opposition MPs and by Public Ombudsman Róbert Dobrovodský. According to the court, the law violates constitutional provisions on fundamental human rights and freedoms, as well as political rights. The court also found that provisions concerning the disclosure of information by organizations were unconstitutional. The Ombudsman argued that parts of the law violated the principle of freedom, restricted civil society participation in public life, and allowed excessive state intervention that enabled “spying” on NGOs.
Róbert Dobrovodský called the decision crucial for protecting fundamental rights and freedoms. He said it confirms that Slovakia remains a country where citizens have clear guarantees against state power. According to him, institutions safeguarding constitutionality function properly, and the principle of minimizing interference in citizens’ rights remains a cornerstone of democracy.
“Free civil society and a safe environment for whistleblowers are pillars that the Constitutional Court has strengthened today,” Dobrovodský stated.
The amendment, effective since June, had required organizations to submit transparency reports and disclose information on the use of public funds. The court had previously accepted the MPs’ challenge for further proceedings in May, though their request to suspend the law’s effect was initially denied. Progressive Slovakia (PS) criticized the amendment as threatening basic democratic principles and human rights.
Source: STVR
