CET ON-LINE*4-APR-96

Tuesday, 4 April 1996 Volume 1, Issue 323

The European Union voiced its concern on Wednesday at new

anti-subversion legislation passed in Slovakia which opposition

and church leaders have compared with laws used to crush dissent

before the fall of communism. An EU statement said certain

provisions in the amendments to the penal code "appear to affect

the freedom of expression and other democratic rights". The

Union expected the changes to be "carefully considered with a

view to finding solutions in accordance with democratic

principles and in a way which is compatible...with the EU

membership for which Slovakia has applied".

Slovak Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar's three-party coalition

government rammed the law through parliament on March 26. It

allows imprisonment of people who are found to have organised

certain anti-government rallies and spread false information

abroad, or who are accused of subversion and the intention to

subvert. Slovakia's fractious opposition parties have announced

plans for a rare joint offensive to try to kill the legislation.

Critics of Meciar say the legal changes are the price he paid

to win over far-right supporters to a treaty of friendship and

cooperation with neighbouring Hungary.

The EU statement welcomed ratification of the treaty at the same

March 26 session of parliament, saying its enactment would help

strengthen stability and security in the region. The statement

was issued by Italy, which holds the EU presidency. The treaty,

signed in March 1995 in Paris, is a prerequisite for Slovak

ambitions to join the European Union and NATO. Its ratification

was postponed several times in Slovakia, which has a

500,000-strong Hungarian minority.

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