AIS: Right to Peaceful Assembly and Civil Society Freedoms under Threat

Bratislava, January 22 (TASR) - Amnesty International Slovakia (AIS) expressed deep concern over media reports regarding the parliamentary session on Tuesday (January 21) held behind closed doors and the possible misuse of the Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS) for monitoring and subsequently discrediting civil society organisations and initiatives, warning that such practices contribute to the stigmatisation of civil society and its legitimate activities and may seriously undermine the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, TASR has learnt from AIS communication coordinator Daniela Muzikova. "The mere suspicion of surveillance of activists and civil society organisations is serious. Surveillance is an effective tool of intimidation that paralyses legitimate criticism and undermines the activities of those demanding change. People must have the ability to organise, express their opinions, and advocate for change without fear of being monitored and stigmatised," said AIS head Rado Sloboda. Amnesty International warns that political rhetoric that equates peaceful protest activities with 'maidanisation' or 'destabilising the state' not only falsely portrays legitimate civic activities but may also discourage people from participating in protests. AIS called on Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and the government to publicly clarify the scope and reasons for the alleged surveillance of civil society and to refute any suspicions of using intelligence services to stigmatise people and suppress human rights. Additionally, they demand that the right to peaceful assembly must be protected. Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) will convene a Security Council meeting to deal with the Slovak Intelligence Service's (SIS) information that were read in Parliament on Tuesday (January 21) for 9 a.m. on Thursday. The intelligence service claims to have obtained serious information on "long-term organised activities aimed at destabilising Slovakia". The premier expressed concerns about mass protests and a potential power takeover in the country, announcing that preventive measures would be adopted during the Security Council meeting to prevent escalation. lin/mcs