Slovak Government Office Flags Forced Relocation of Roma Settlement Residents as Irregular

Slovakia's Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for Roma Communities has declared the eviction of residents from the Lubina Roma settlement irregular and has launched a review of the circumstances surrounding their relocation. The office, which is a government body responsible for coordinating state policy toward Roma communities — one of Slovakia's largest and most marginalized minority groups — raised concerns about how the removal of residents from the settlement was carried out. Officials said the process was non-standard and warranted further investigation. Forced or unplanned relocations of Roma communities have long been a sensitive issue in Slovakia, often drawing criticism from human rights organizations and European Union institutions. The EU has repeatedly called on Slovak authorities to ensure that any displacement of Roma residents complies with legal standards and respects the fundamental rights of those affected. The outcome of the review could have implications for local authorities responsible for managing the relocation.