Rule of Law and Media Freedom

© Peter de Jong

For democracies to thrive and societies to be stable, tolerance and respect for human rights are required. The Netherlands and Slovakia both attach great importance to having open and inclusive societies, for which the rule of law, anti-corruption mechanisms, freedom of the press and the protection of journalists are important preconditions.

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There is a great deal we can learn from each other about how to safeguard these values. Both countries recognise the danger of disinformation and the resounding need to combat it. The Netherlands and Slovakia are working on protecting and promoting equal rights within our respective societies. We ask attention for minorities and vulnerable groups and seek out areas in which we can build on each other’s strengths, such as women’s rights, gender equality and the position of the LGBTIQ+ community.

The Netherlands has been working together with Slovak authorities and NGOs to strengthen these democratic values and improve checks-and-balances.

Freedom of media and protection of journalists

ⒸMatúš Lago | Visit of Kuciak memorial during State visit in March 2023.

The murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová in Slovakia in 2018 and the murder of Peter R. de Vries in Amsterdam three years later have connected our countries even more in the fight against violence towards journalists and ensuring their protection.

In the Netherlands a special hotline mechanism, PersVeilig, has been created in 2017 in which journalists, police officers, prosecution, editors in chiefs together and publishers work together to improve the security of journalists in the Netherlands.

In October 2022, two members of PersVeilig, came to Bratislava to share their expertise with Slovak authorities.

The fruitful cooperation between the Dutch and the Slovak stakeholders in the area of safety and protection of journalists has resulted in the creation of a new tool through which journalists in danger or under threat can seek help and support.

Judicial strengthening

Our embassy supports NGOs that fight for a strong and independent judiciary, promote transparency and advocate against corruption. To support future judges, prosecutors and judicial clerks, we connect Dutch and Slovak judiciary as well as the respective judicial academies to share experiences and exchange best practices.

Disinformation

The impact of disinformation and false narratives affect our societies to a great extent. The Netherlands therefore supports initiatives that promote critical thinking, debunking disinformation and a better understanding of information spread online. One of the examples is the project “Schools Changing the World” which provides innovative citizenship education teaching to build active and democratic citizenship skills in pupils and students. Only informed, openminded but at the same time critically thinking citizens are equipped to face challenges of today and help building more democratic, inclusive and modern societies.