The Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has today published an ad hoc report on recent changes to criminal law and institutional reforms in the Slovak Republic, assessing the extent to which they comply with European standards.
The report focuses on legislative amendments introduced by Law no. 40/2024 - which was passed through a fast-track procedure and signed into law in February 2024 - as well as institutional changes including the dissolution of the Special Prosecutor's Office and the reorganisation of the National Crime Agency.
GRECO's assessment covers a number of topics including the use of the fast-track procedure, the shortening of limitation periods, reduced criminal penalties for corruption offences and other important issues concerning prosecutorial and police specialisation in corruption offences and judicial independence.
In conclusion, GRECO fully acknowledges that Council of Europe member states should take necessary measures to reform their legislative and institutional frameworks to address evolving needs. Nevertheless, GRECO underlines that such reforms must be undertaken in full and strict conformity with the international obligations to which member states have freely committed themselves.
The report addresses six recommendations to the Slovak Republic, including limiting the use of the fast-track legislative procedure and increasing participation in that process, setting adequate limitation periods and sentencing frameworks for all corruption offences, promoting proportional and effective sanctions, reinforcing specialisation in corruption cases and safeguarding judicial independence.
GRECO has invited the authorities to report back on measures taken to implement those recommendations by 31 December 2026.
Today's report has been produced under GRECO's Rule 34 procedure, which can be triggered when GRECO receives reliable information concerning institutional reforms, legislative initiatives or procedural changes that may result in serious violations of the Council of Europe's anti-corruption standards.
