Slovakia is a landlocked country in Europe, bordering Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria, and Czech Republic. The population of this country is approx 54,19,000 with 49,035 square kilometers area. Ethnically 83% Slovak. Official language is Slovak. Religiously 68% Christian, almost all of them are Catholic. There are also 23% atheists. There are 18 state-registered religions in Slovakia, of which 16 are various branches of Christianity, 1 is Jewish, and 1 is Baha'i. A religion can be registered at the state office, if it has a minimum 50,000 followers.
There is no state protection for property acquired by illegal means. Of course, this is the rule in all states of the world, but the Slovak Constitution clearly mentions it, which is interesting. If restrictions on freedom of speech or freedom of religion are necessary in a democratic society to protect public order, health, or the rights and freedoms of others - then they are lawful. Agricultural and forestry land are inexhaustible natural resources, and shall enjoy special protection by the state and society.
These are positive aspects. Now let's discuss the negative aspects.
Freedom of the press is not regulated, but freedom of radio and television is. Why?
Admirable Articles of Slovakia's Constitution
Article 2
1. State power originates from citizens, who exercise it through their elected representatives, or directly.
2. State bodies may act only on the basis of the Constitution, within its limits, and to the extent and in a manner which shall be laid down by law.
3. Everyone may do what is not prohibited by law and no one may be forced to do anything that is not prescribed by law.
Article 4 (Part of it)
● Raw materials, caves, underground water, natural and thermal springs and streams are the property of the Slovak Republic. The Slovak Republic protects and develops these resources, and makes careful and effective use of mineral resources and natural heritage to the benefit of its citizens and subsequent generations.
Article 20 (Part of it)
● Everyone has the right to own property. The ownership right of all owners has the same legal content and protection. Property acquired in any way which is contrary to the legal order shall not enjoy such protection.
Article 24
1. The freedoms of thought, conscience, religious creed and faith are guaranteed. This right also encompasses the possibility to change one's religious creed, or faith. Everyone has the right to be without religious creed. Everyone has the right to publicly express his thoughts. religious creed. Everyone has the right to publicly express his thoughts.
2. Everyone has the right to freely express religion, or faith alone or together with others, privately or publicly, by means of religious services, religious acts, by observing religious rites, or to participate in the teachings thereof.
3. Churches and religious communities administer their own affairs, in particular, they constitute their own bodies, appoint their clergymen, organize the teaching of religion, and establish religious orders and other church institutions independently of state bodies.
4. Conditions for exercising of rights under paragraphs 1 to 3 may be limited only by law, if such a measure is necessary in a democratic society to protect public order, health, morals, or the rights and freedoms of others.
Article 26 (Part of it)
● The freedom of speech and the right to information are guaranteed.
● Censorship is banned.
● The freedom of speech and the right to seek out and disseminate information may be restricted by law, if such a measure is necessary in a democratic society to protect the rights and freedoms of others, state security, public order, or public health and morals.
● Public authority bodies are obliged to provide information on their activities in an appropriate manner and in the state language. The conditions and manner of execution shall be laid down by law.
Article 29
1. The right to freely associate is guaranteed. Everyone has the right to associate with others in clubs, societies, or other associations.
2. Citizens have the right to establish political parties and political movements and to associate in them.
3. The exercising of rights under paragraphs 1 and 2 may be restricted only in cases laid down by law, if it is necessary in a democratic society for reasons of state security, to protect public order, to prevent criminal acts, or to protect the rights and freedoms of others.
4. Political parties and political movements, as well as clubs, societies, or other associations are separated from the state.
Article 32
Citizens have the right to put up resistance against anyone who would eliminate the democratic order of basic human rights and freedoms listed in this Constitution, if the activity of constitutional bodies and the effective use of legal means are rendered impossible.
Article 40
Everyone has a right to the protection of health. Based on public insurance, citizens have the right to free health care and to medical supplies under conditions which shall be laid down by law.
Article 41
1. Marriage is a unique union between a man and a woman. The Slovak Republic comprehensively protects and cherishes marriage for its own good.
2. Special care, protection in labor relations, and adequate working conditions are guaranteed to a woman during the period of pregnancy.
3. Children born in and out of wedlock enjoy equal rights.
4. Child care and upbringing are the rights of parents; children have the right to parental care and upbringing. Parents' rights can be restricted and minors can be separated from their parents against their will only by a court ruling on the basis of law.
5. Parents caring for children are entitled to assistance from the state.
6. Details concerning rights under paragraphs 1 to 5 shall be laid down by law.
Article 42
1. Everyone has the right to education. School attendance is compulsory. Its period and age limit shall be laid down by law.
2. Citizens have the right to free education at primary and secondary schools and, depending on their abilities and society's resources, also at higher educational establishments.
3. Schools other than state schools may be established, and teaching in them provided, only under conditions laid down by law; education in such schools may be provided for a payment.
4. A law shall lay down conditions under which citizens are entitled to assistance from the state in their studies.
Article 44
1. Everyone has the right to a favorable environment.
2. Everyone is obliged to protect and enhance the environment and the cultural heritage.
3. No one may endanger, or damage the environment, natural resources, and the cultural heritage beyond the extent laid down by law.
4. The state looks after a cautious use of natural resources, protection of agricultural and forest land, ecological balance, and effective environmental care, and provides for the protection of specified species of wild plants and animals.
5. Agricultural and forest land are non-renewable natural resources and enjoy special protection by the state and society.
6. The details of the rights and obligations according to paragraphs 1 to 5 shall be laid down by law.
Article 46
● Everyone may claim his right in a manner laid down by law in an independent and impartial court and, in cases laid down by law, at another body of the Slovak Republic.
● Anyone who claims to have been deprived of his rights by a decision of a public administration body may turn to the court to have the lawfulness of such decision reexamined, unless laid down otherwise by law. The reexamination of decisions concerning basic rights and freedoms may not, however, be excluded from the court's authority.
● Everyone is entitled to compensation for damage incurred as a result of an unlawful decision by a court, or another state or public administration body, or as a result of an incorrect official procedure.
● Conditions and details concerning judicial and other legal protection shall be laid down by law.
Article 50
● Only the court decides on guilt and punishment for criminal acts.
● Everyone against whom a criminal proceeding is conducted is considered innocent until the court establishes his guilt by a legally valid verdict.
● The accused has the right to be granted the time and opportunity to prepare his defense, and to defend himself either alone or through a defense counsel.
● The accused has the right to refuse to testify; this right may not be denied in any way.
● No one may be criminally prosecuted for an act for which he has already been sentenced, or of which he has already been acquitted. This principle does not rule out the application of extraordinary remedies in compliance with the law.
● Whether any act is criminal is assessed, and punishment is determined, in accordance with the law valid at the time when the act was committed. A more recent law is applied, if it is more favorable for the perpetrator.
Facts of Slovakia's Constitution
Article 26 (Part of it)
● The freedom of speech and the right to information are guaranteed.
● Everyone has the right to express his views in
word, writing, print, picture, or other means as well as the right to
freely seek out, receive, and spread ideas and information without
regard for state borders.
The issuing of press is not
subject to approval procedures. Enterprise in the fields of radio and
television may be subject to the awarding of an approval from the state. The conditions shall be laid down by law.
Article 82
● The National Council of the Slovak Republic holds permanent sessions.
● The constituent meeting of the National Council of the Slovak Republic is called by the President of the Slovak Republic within 30 days after the announcement of election results. If he fails to do so, the National Council of the Slovak Republic convenes on the 30th day after the announcement of the election results.
● The National Council of the Slovak Republic may interrupt its session by means of a resolution. The length of interruption must not exceed four months in a year. During interruption, the Speaker, deputy speakers, and bodies of the National Council of the Slovak Republic execute their powers.
● While the session is interrupted, the Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic may convene a meeting of the National Council of the Slovak Republic even prior to the set date. He will do so whenever requested by the Government of the Slovak Republic or at least one-fifth of the Members of Parliament.
● The session of the National Council of the Slovak Republic ends with the expiration of the electoral term or with its dissolution.
Article 114
● The Government is accountable for the execution of its duties to the National Council of the Slovak Republic, which can pass a vote of no-confidence in it at any time.
● The Government can at any time request the National Council of the Slovak Republic to pass a vote of confidence in it.
● The Government can link the vote on the adoption of a law or on another issue with a vote of confidence in the Government.
Article 120
● The Government may issue ordinances in order to execute a law within its limits.
● If so laid down by law, the government is authorized to issue ordinances in order to execute the Europe Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Slovak Republic, of the other part, and to execute international treaties stipulated in Article 7, paragraph 2.
● Government ordinances are signed by the prime minister.
● A Government ordinance must be promulgated in a manner which shall be laid down by law.
