Slovakia’s lawmakers have put forward constitutional amendments that could impose stringent restrictions on the rights of LGBTQ+ people and access to reproductive healthcare. The proposals, which were supported by 81 members of parliament, aim to embed socially conservative values into the country’s constitution, a move that has raised alarms among human rights advocates.
These proposed changes stipulate that adoption rights would be limited exclusively to heterosexual married couples, effectively prohibiting same-sex couples from adopting children. Currently, while same-sex relationships are not legally recognised in Slovakia, existing legislation permits individual adoptions regardless of sexual orientation. The new amendments, however, would not merely reinforce existing inequalities but could also eliminate recognition of nonbinary individuals, further constraining the rights of LGBTQ+ people in the country.
Rado Sloboda, Director of Amnesty International Slovakia, expressed grave concerns over these developments, stating, “This swathe of amendments is an attempt to buttress an increasingly hostile environment for LGBTIQ+ people, undermine gender equality, rule of law, and broader human rights protections in Slovakia.” He pointed out that the constitutional changes aimed at allowing healthcare workers to refuse abortion services based on personal conscience could significantly threaten public health, remarking, “If passed, these draconian measures would further undermine gender equality and deepen the crackdown on LGBTIQ+ people’s rights, mirroring the dangerous practices of other countries in the region, such as Hungary and Poland.”
Additional components of the amendments include proposals for mandatory parental consent for sex education in schools, reduced gestational limits for legal abortions, and potential bans on in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and surrogacy.
Slovakia’s National Council, consisting of 150 members, requires at least 90 votes in the subsequent reading for the amendments to progress. The current situation is particularly critical given that Slovakia, as a member of the European Union, may face heightened scrutiny or legal challenges from the EU if these amendments violate the bloc’s human rights standards.
Prime Minister Robert Fico, who resumed office in 2023 representing the left-nationalist Direction – Social Democracy party, has actively championed a socially conservative agenda since his return to power. The outcome of this legislative process is poised to be pivotal not only for Slovak society but also in the context of broader European discussions surrounding human rights and equality.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2025/04/slovakia-proposed-constitutional-amendments-would-crush-the-rights-of-lgbtiq-people-and-be-a-backward-step-for-gender-equality/ – This Amnesty International press release discusses how the proposed constitutional amendments in Slovakia aim to limit adoption rights to heterosexual couples, thereby directly validating claims about restricting LGBTQ+ rights.
- https://www.eunews.it/en/2024/09/06/after-hungary-and-bulgaria-anti-lgbtq-law-proposed-in-slovakia/ – The article outlines the social conservative agenda in Slovakia, highlighting proposed laws that could limit LGBTQ+ rights and education, which supports claims regarding tightening restrictions on LGBTQ+ individuals.
- https://www.amnesty.org/ar/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/eur720012014en.pdf – This document provides a historical context regarding Slovakia’s legal stance on marriage and LGBTQ+ rights, confirming the ongoing discrimination against non-heterosexual relationships.
- https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/04/slovakia-political-parties-must-reject-grave-threats-to-lgbti-rights-and-gender-equality/ – This article reinforces concerns expressed by human rights advocates regarding the proposed amendments, reflecting similar sentiments on the potential impact on gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights in Slovakia.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The content includes recent developments in Slovakia, involving Prime Minister Robert Fico’s current role and legislative changes. However, without additional context or a broader online search, it’s hard to confirm if the specific details are entirely new or updated.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Rado Sloboda’s quote is provided but without specific online verification as the earliest source. It is plausible this is a recent statement, but its origin cannot be confirmed without further research.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from Gay Express, which may not be as widely recognized as major news outlets. While it appears to provide detailed information, sourcing from more prominent publications could enhance credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about Slovakia’s legislative changes and their implications are plausible, especially given recent trends in certain European countries like Hungary and Poland. However, specific legislative details may require verification.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to address recent events in Slovakia with plausible claims regarding legislative changes affecting LGBTQ+ rights. However, verification of specific quotes and legislative details is necessary for higher confidence. While the source is less prominent, the content seems timely and relevant to ongoing discussions in Europe.
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