Slovak National Centre for Human Rights

Date established:

1993

Mode of establishment:

Primary legislation, Act 308/1993

Status:

According to Act 308/1993, the Centre is an independent legal person. Following enactment of the Slovak Antidiscrimination Act (365/2004), the competencies of the Centre have been extended with regard to antidiscrimination issues. The Centre plays the role of a national specialised body combating all forms of discrimination (Article 13 of the Council Directive 2000/43/EC).

Mandate/objectives:

The statute is available in Slovak at www.snslp.sk/index.html

Grounds of Discrimination covered:

All grounds covered by the race and employment directives.

Competences and responsibilities:

The Centre:

·          has the authority to represent parties in proceedings concerning violations of the principle of equal treatment.

·          must provide information on compliance with human rights to state and public authorities.

·          may also ask non-governmental human rights organisations to provide information and may make agreements with them on the manner in which such information will be provided and used.

·          will submit a report on the state of human rights compliance in the Slovak Republic to the Slovak National Council, the Slovak Government, public authorities, private enterprises, and non-governmental organisations. This report is also accessible to the public on our internet website.

Main activities:

a)       Monitor and review compliance with human rights and compliance with the principle of equal treatment under the Anti-discrimination Act 365/2004 which amended provisions of other legal acts relating to Anti-discrimination (employment relations, social affairs, education, etc.). 

b)       Collect and provide, at the request of natural or legal persons or at its own initiative information on racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in the Slovak Republic,

c)       Conduct research and surveys necessary for the provision of data concerning human rights; collect and disseminate information in this field,

d)       Develop educational activities, take part in information campaigns with a view to increasing tolerance in Slovak society,

e)       Arrange for legal aid for victims of discrimination and manifestations of intolerance,

f)         Prepare expert opinions on compliance with the principle of equal treatment upon request from natural persons or legal entities or of its own initiative under separate provisions,

g)       Provide library services, 

h)       Provide services in the area of human rights - (organising conferences, seminars, running public campaigns, public statements in press and TV, etc.).

The Centre has the authority to represent parties in proceedings concerning violations of the principle of equal treatment.

Publications:

Regular and ad hoc publications will be available on the new version of our web site (forthcoming).

Management:  

Executive Director (operations) and Administrative Board (oversight).

Nomination of senior staff and board:

The Executive Director is elected by the Administrative Board for a period of three years (re-appointment possible). The Administrative Board is nominated for a period of three years with one nomination each from the following: the President of the Slovak Republic, the chairperson of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, the Public Defender of Rights, the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic on the basis of a proposal from NGOs and the Minister of labour, social affairs and family, as well as four law faculty deans.

Number of Staff:

17

Budget:

Approved by the Slovak Parliament

EU and national grants

The approved state budget allocation for the SNCHR for 2005 is 13.5 million Sk

Accountability:

Annual Report approved by the Administrative Board