Slovenia - Universal Periodic Review

UPR 34, November 12, 2019
Recommendations by Canada

Background

According to UPR Info, a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) that tracks the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, in the first two cycles of the UPR, Slovenia received 286 recommendations, of which 250 were accepted (an acceptance rate of 87%). Canada’s previous recommendations to Slovenia were related to gender equality, statelessness and the right to nationality.

Slovenia is a vibrant democracy where political rights and civil liberties are respected and guaranteed in law. It scored among the highest in Freedom House’s 2018 Freedom in the World index, with a score of 93 out of 100.

Since its last review, Slovenia has taken numerous measures to improve its human rights institutions: It adopted the Protection from Discrimination Act in 2016, which introduced the independent office of the Advocate of the Principle of Equality with a mandate to prevent and eliminate discrimination.

While these are notable improvements, in 2017, the National Assembly in Slovenia passed amendments to the Aliens Act that strips refugees and asylum seekers of protections to which they are entitled under international and EU laws. These laws prohibit EU Member States from sending individuals back to countries where they are at risk, and force Member States to offer international protections to those who are granted refugee status. These new amendments allow Slovenia to effectively close its borders to mass arrivals of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and return them to their country of origin without hearing their protection needs.

Furthermore, despite existing laws and policies, Slovenia’s minority Roma population continues to face discrimination with respect to access to education, employment, housing and healthcare. In 2017, the Slovenian government has adopted a National program setting out the legal framework for integrating the Roma. However, NGOs criticize the lack of clear strategic priorities, concrete legislation and timeframes. These policy gaps constitute an impediment to the access to services of Roma population living in south-eastern Slovenia.   

Recommendations

Thank you, Mr. President.

Canada welcomes the positive steps taken by Slovenia to improve its human rights institutions, notably by adopting the Protection from Discrimination Act in 2016.

Canada recommends that Slovenia:

1. Reform its domestic law to implement Slovenia’s international obligations related to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
2. Offer training for law enforcement authorities to increase awareness and knowledge, and ensure their actions in dealing with asylum seekers are in compliance with European and international human rights obligations and standards.
3. Review its National Program of Measures for Roma to set out clear priorities and timelines for the implementation of measures, including progress on providing access to basic amenities, to ensure the full and comprehensive integration of Roma communities living in Slovenia.

Canada continues to be concerned about the challenges experienced by the “erased” and the difficulties surrounding their legal recognition. Canada recommends that Slovenia adopt further measures to facilitate the restitution of the legal status to the remaining “erased” population.