Slovak NGOs Self-Censoring Over Fear of Government Pressure, Amnesty International Warns

Some non-governmental organizations in Slovakia have stopped applying for public funding out of fear, according to a new Amnesty International report that documents growing pressure and intimidation against civil society groups in the country. The report describes an increasingly hostile environment for NGOs, with organizations choosing to forgo state financing rather than risk scrutiny or retaliation from authorities. The trend points to a chilling effect on civil society, where the mere threat of government pressure is enough to alter the behavior of independent organizations without any direct action being taken against them. The findings come amid broader concerns about the state of democratic institutions in Slovakia under the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico, whose Smer-SD party — a left-nationalist grouping that returned to power in 2023 — has repeatedly clashed with NGOs and independent media. Fico's government has rhetorically targeted civil society organizations, particularly those receiving foreign funding, framing them as foreign agents or political opponents. Amnesty International's assessment adds international weight to warnings from domestic critics who argue that the space for independent civic activity in Slovakia is shrinking significantly.