Slovak lawmakers recently passed legislation requiring NGOs to reveal their funding sources and major contributors, which has been criticized for potentially stifling civil society. Despite government assertions of enhancing transparency, sentiments against the law have led to significant protests, particularly in the capital. The law has drawn comparisons to similar restrictive measures in Russia, prompting fears over censorship and the silencing of dissent. Some controversial aspects of the law were amended due to backlash, indicating a contentious political atmosphere in Slovakia regarding civil rights.
"We call it a Russian law not because it is a copy of the Russian one but it was inspired by Russia and in variety with the constitution and EU law," said Katarina Batkova.
Before the final vote, the government removed some of the more controversial proposals included in the bill, including a provision to label NGOs as "lobbyist groups" and "foreign agents" following criticism from the European Commission.
Populist Prime Minister Robert Fico presented the legislation as a move toward greater transparency, while critics accused the law of restricting civil society institutions.
"This law is neither Russian nor American, but clearly European," Fico said during a parliamentary debate.
Collection
[
|
...
]