C. Principal matters of concern and recommendations

Discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons

14. While the Committee welcomes the amendment to the Criminal Code introducing sexual orientation among the aggravating grounds of a criminal offence, it notes that hate speech legislation does not cover sexual orientation and gender identity. It is concerned about the increasingly hostile environment against persons on the basis of their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, which is exacerbated by hostile discourse from political figures. It is concerned that sterilization for both transgender women and men is a requirement for legal gender recognition (arts. 2, 17 and 26).

15. The State party should: (a) adopt measures to tackle hate speech on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity; (b) take measures to eradicate all forms of social stigmatization of homosexuality, bisexuality or transsexuality and discrimination or violence against persons based on their sexual orientation or gender identity; and (c) develop and implement a procedure for legal gender recognition that is compatible with the provisions of the Covenant.

Link to full text of the report: Concluding Observations-CCPR-Slovakia-2016-eng