Human rights groups warn against child discrimination in Slovak welfare initiative

A human rights coalition in Slovakia has criticized a new government initiative that would link welfare benefits to school attendance, warning it represents a setback in child protection. The coalition argues the "No School, No Benefits" proposal does not address truancy but instead penalizes poverty. The initiative would tie social assistance payments to children's school attendance, raising concerns about discrimination against vulnerable families who may face barriers to regular school attendance beyond their control.