Bratislava, Slovakia – A recent constitutional amendment in slovakia is drawing criticism from the country’s Ombudsman and the slovak Chamber of Teachers, raising concerns about the protection of human rights and the future of sex education in schools. The amendment, driven by fundamentalist viewpoints, alters provisions related to family, children, and cultural-ethical issues.
The changes require parental consent for education on sexual issues and prioritize spouses in matters concerning the acquisition of children. Critics argue the amendment introduces vaguely defined terms like “national identity” and “basic cultural-ethic questions” into the constitution without legislative definition, potentially impacting rights related to same-sex relationships, adoption, and abortion.
Slovak Ombudsman Robert Dobrovodský warned the amendment risks undermining protections afforded by European legislation, stating, “This is a whole new legal term. These words have often been inflected in political debate in recent years in connection with issues of parenting and family, adoption of children, coexistence of persons of the same sex or abortion.” He also cited a potential violation of Article 27 of the Viennese Convention on Contracting Law.
The Slovak Chamber of Teachers expressed fears of “anarchy” and a significant limitation of sex education, arguing schools will be forced to tailor teaching to individual parental preferences rather than scientific knowledge or the state educational program.The Chamber stated, “It is the beginning of the anarchy, resignation of schools and advisory facilities to support children – especially at a time when the topic of sexuality is sensitive and threatening in digital space.”
The amendment also comes amidst claims by some MEPs who view the changes as a sign from God.
The text defines “intersex” as an umbrella term for individuals whose sex cannot be clearly determined by external genitalia, chromosomes, or hormones, clarifying it is distinct from sexual orientation or identity.
