Scandal of illegal sterilizations in Slovakia

WRITTEN QUESTION

Submission: To the Commission

3 June 2003

Subject: Scandal of illegal sterilizations in Slovakia

According to reports from two non-governmental organizations, over the past 14 years, at least 110 women from the Roma community in eastern Slovakia were sterilized against their will. Additionally, there was misinformation provided to the women regarding reproductive health issues and discrimination regarding their access to relevant healthcare centers and their personal medical records.

The Commission is asked whether it intends to exert pressure on the Slovak government to thoroughly investigate the above allegations and punish those responsible for this inhumane crime, while protecting both the health and reproductive rights of women in the country and the human rights of its minorities, in line with its commitments as a new member of the EU.