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Summary: The government of Slovenia recently submitted a mid-term UPR report, which documented their implementation progress on recommendations they accepted during their review. CRIN has highlighted the government's response to children's rights recommendations accepted. What is a mid-term report? States are encouraged to voluntarily submit update reports on the steps they are taking to implement the recommendations made to them during their reviews.
In addition to posting the full mid-term report (see above), CRIN has extracted the children's rights recommendations accepted by Slovenia, together with the government's response on how they are implementing the recommendations.
Implementation progress on accepted recommendations
Recommendation 4: To adjust its legal framework to international human rights standards, in particular with regard to persons with disabilities, migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, women and children (Nicaragua).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and will continue to implement international human rights standards, in particular with regard to persons with disabilities, migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, women and children, within its legal framework.
Competence- Implementation: The Police has already envisaged it in its regulations and there will be no change in this area. Legislation on migration and international protection is in compliance with international standards on human rights, although Slovenia has not yet acceded to the UN convention regulating this area.
Notes- Implementation Plan: Slovenia will continue to implement international standards on human rights, particularly in respect of the disabled and children. Slovenia ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia No. 37/2008).
Recommendation 8: To adopt the latest draft amendments to the Marriage and Family Relations Act that equalize same-sex unions and other family unions and ban the corporal punishment of children (Norway).
Notes- Implementation Plan: On 16 June 2011, the National Assembly adopted the Family Code. According to the Family Code, a union of two women or two men (long-term partnership, registered partnership) are equal to the union between a man and a woman (marriage, extramarital union). The Family Code also prohibits corporal punishment and other forms of degrading treatment of children.
Recommendation 9: To add a provision to the Marriage and Family Relations Act prohibiting other forms of the demeaning treatment of children, such as psychological violence (Norway).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: The Slovenian Government accepts these recommendations. The draft Family Code adopted by the Government in December 2009 and submitted to the National Assembly for adoption equates, in all elements, same-sex civil partnership with other family unions. Marriage is in the draft Family Code defined as a partnership between two persons of the same or opposite sex. The draft Family Code prohibits corporal punishment of children and other forms of degrading treatment, and is binding on parents and other persons, state bodies, and public officials. The 2008 Domestic Violence Prevention Act classifies different forms of violence.
Notes- Implementation Plan: On 16 June 2011, the National Assembly adopted the Family Code. The Family Code also prohibits corporal punishment and other forms of degrading treatment of children.
Recommendation 12: To move further ahead in drafting and implementing a national action plan to address the issue of the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (Qatar).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and notes that it has already acted accordingly. The Slovenian Government has adopted a number of programmes and action plans, as well as legislative provisions in the field of children’s rights. A call centre has also been set up for the anonymous reporting of illegal internet content.
Notes- Implementation Plan: So far, this field is integrated in the joint action plan for the fight against trafficking in human beings, which is being drafted for a two-year period.
Recommendation 13: To share the experiences regarding the first Programme for Children and Youth, in particular the approach of including the recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (Moldova).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and has already implemented it. The first Programme for Children and Youth 2006–2016 was adopted in 2006 and the implementation of the Programme has been set out in the Action Plan for 2009–2010.
Notes- Implementation Plan: This includes technical assistance and consulting for Moldova, a priority country within the international development cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia. The recommendation may be implemented in 2012 in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Recommendation 16: To provide adequate human and financial resources for the full implementation of the Action Plan Against Human Trafficking for 2008-2009, to establish specialized services to assist the victims of trafficking, and to decrease the vulnerability of women and girls to trafficking (Czech Republic).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and notes that the new Action Plan for 2010–2011 has retained all activities in this area.
Notes- Implementation Plan: Action plans are approved by the Slovenian Government. The projects of victims assistance are financially defined in the action plans. To date, the Action Plan for 2004/06, 2007, 2008/09, and 2010/11 have been implemented.
Recommendation 17: To develop a national plan of action aimed at addressing the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and to provide adequate human and financial resources for its implementation (Islamic Republic of Iran).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation in the sense that it has already been implemented in general action plans for the prevention of trafficking in human beings and for the protection of children. It also notes that, according to statistical data contributed by NGOs, in 2008, 3 persons out of 68 victims of offences related to trafficking in human beings were minors.
Notes- Implementation Plan: So far, this field is included in the joint action plan for the fight against trafficking in human beings, which is being drafted for a two-year period.
Recommendation 18: To accept the recommendation of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to develop a comprehensive strategy or action plan to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, and to develop an effective institutional mechanism for coordinating, monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of the measures taken (Malaysia).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and has already implemented it to a great extent.
Notes- Implementation Plan: As regards the aspect of family violence, the recommendation was implemented. In 2009, the National Assembly adopted the Resolution on the National Programme of Family Violence Prevention for the Period 2009–2014. It is a strategic document defining the objectives, measures and key players with regard to reduction and prevention of family violence in Slovenia for a five-year period. With a two-year Action Plan that followed the adoption of the Resoluton in 2010, the Government ensures a more transparent use of public funds to reduce violence and targeted activities of relevant authorities for individual target groups. A government campaign against family violence has also been planned.
The Office for Equal Opportunities, the Slovenian Research Agency and the Ministry of the Interior – Police co-financed the target research project Incidents of violence and response to it in the private sphere and partnership. At the end of 2010, the results of the first empirical national research on violence in the private sphere and partnership were published, to be followed, at the end of 2011, by analyses on the work of the Police, courts and social work centres covering violence against women and family violence. Activities on violence against women were also focused on various forms of violence against women or violence against special groups of women. In 2010, the Office for Equal Opportunities devoted particular attention to dating violence. Research results and analyses provide the basis for further strengthening the effectiveness of different institutions (the Police, courts, social work centres, education institutions) and for overcoming difficulties facing the institutions when addressing violence.
Recommendation 23: To establish Government plans as a follow-up to the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to promote greater representation by women in all areas, particularly at work, without discrimination of any kind, as well as to prevent and eradicate domestic violence and all forms of violence against women and girls. Such plans should contemplate establishing institutional mechanisms for monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of all measures (Mexico).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and has already taken steps to ensure monitoring and assessment of the effectiveness of the adopted measures.
Notes- Implementation Plan: The recommendation has been implemented in part from the aspect of the drafting of the Resolution on Family Violence Prevention and the Action Plan. The Resolution on Family Violence Prevention for the Period 2009–2014 was adopted in 2009. It is a strategic document defining the objectives, measures and key factors of the policy aimed at preventing and reducing family violence in Slovenia in the five-year period. With a two-year 2010 Action Plan, the Government ensured a more transparent use of public funds to reduce violence and targeted activities of relevant authorities for individual target groups. A government campaign against family violence has also been planned.
The Republic of Slovenia withdrew from the Night Work (Women) Convention (ILO Convention 89), as the conditions are too limiting and imply discrimination. Despite the withdrawal from of the Convention, women workers will not be without any protection. The current legislation on night work guarantees special protection of night workers, however, regardless of gender and the tasks they perform. This year's Programme of Work of the Government envisages the ratification of the Convention concerning Night Work of Women (ILO Convention 171), since it regulates special protection of night workers, regardless of gender.
See also answers under Nos. 14, 18 and 22.
Recommendation 24: To adopt effective measures to strengthen the system for the protection and promotion of the rights of women and children (Uzbekistan).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and notes that it has already designed and implemented various measures for the protection and promotion of the rights of women and children.
Notes- Implementation Plan: As regards general executive measures, the Government adopted, in 2006, on the basis of the recommendation of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Programme for Children and Youth 2006–2016. The Child Observatory within the Social Protection Institute organised a single database on children and youth. In recent years, Slovenia devoted particular attention to vulnerable groups of children. An important novelty in the prevention of child abuse is the adoption of the Family Violence Prevention Act and the Resolution on the National Programme of Family Violence Prevention for the Period 2009–2014, which sets out the objectives, measures and key policy makers for the prevention and reduction of family violence until 2014. The new Family Code adopted by the National Assembly on 16 June 2011 strengthens the system of protecting and promoting children's rights and imposes the prohibition of corporal punishment of children or any other form of degrading treatment, which is binding not only on parents but also on other persons, state bodies and public services. In 2008, a new Criminal Code took effect, which has also improved the protection of children's rights. As regards the protection and promotion of women’s rights, see answers under Nos. 14, 18 and 22.
Recommendation 25: To intensify its efforts to change stereotypical images and discriminatory attitudes and perceptions regarding the roles and responsibilities of women and girls and men and boys in the family and in society (Portugal).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and will continue initiatives for the elimination of gender stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes.
Notes- Implementation Plan: The Government pursues the implementation of different approaches for the identification and elimination of stereotypes, particularly by organising consultations, trainings and seminars, by analysing and studying the division of power between women and men in different areas, through the project titled Active Fatherhood to encourage fathers to spend quality time with their children and by raising awareness of the rights of fathers and positive aspects of active fatherhood for children and parents, etc.
Recommendation 27: To strengthen measures, including at the local level, to combat cultural stereotypes and discrimination against minorities and migrants (Philippines).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation; it has already been implemented to a large extent.
Notes- Implementation Plan: The Ministry of Culture has developed a dynamic model of the protection of cultural rights of minorities and, on this basis, also develops different measures against discrimination that are not only of financial nature. The UN implements the recommendation within the scope of its responsibility for the Italian and Hungarian national communities and for the Roma community.
The Ministry of Education and Sport, in addition to strategies and guidelines that are being renewed in this field (e.g. the Guidelines for the Education of Children of Foreign Nationals in Kindergartens and Schools; amended Strategy for Education of Roma), is financing an increasing number of projects in this field with a view to establishing links between various local players such as the project titled Expert bases, strategies and theoretic topics for the education in intercultural relations and active citizenship. See also answers under Nos. 29 and 89.
Recommendation 28: To step up efforts and adopt appropriate measures to combat any form of discrimination against minorities as a whole (Uzbekistan).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and has always acted accordingly.
Notes- Implementation Plan: The recommendation is being implemented. The Ministry of Culture has developed a dynamic model of protection of cultural rights of minorities and, on this basis, also develops different measures against discrimination that are not only of financial nature. The Government Office for National Minorities implements the recommendation within the scope of its responsibility for the Italian and Hungarian national communities and for the Roma community.
The Office for Equal Opportunities elaborated two projects on equality in diversity, which were carried out in 2010 and 2011. The main objectives of the projects included improved implementation of national legislation on non- discrimination, the development of national policy of the fight against discrimination and the dissemination of relevant information, including awareness-raising of the general public and target groups. As part of the project, the Office for Equal Opportunities also organised a workshop on non-discrimination for NGOs, a seminar on non- discrimination for decision-makers in public administration at both national and local levels, a media campaign aimed at raising awareness of the existence, prohibition and harmful effects of discrimination, promotion of diversity and multiculturalism as well as general promotion of tolerance towards all, regardless of gender, nationality, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, an analysis on the inclusion of the aspect of different personal circumstances in the shaping and implementation of policies, a study on the education of children and youth with special needs and children and youth from vulnerable social groups and a study on the diversity on the labour market, a workshop for judges for raising the awareness of discrimination, a conference on non-discrimination on the labour market (intended particularly for employers – leading and senior staff members and human resources departments – and trade unions) and set up a web site (www.enakost.si), which presents, in addition to information on the project, the basic facts on discrimination, including advice and recommendations for activities in the cases of discrimination and the possibility of submitting an initiative to address a case of alleged discrimination with the Advocate of the Equality Principle. Information was also provided in a leaflet translated into 11 languages (Slovenian, Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian, Albanian, French, German, English, Roma, Italian, and Hungarian). In 2011, the Office for Equal Opportunities drew up the guidelines for the promotion of equality and protection against discrimination.
Recommendation 29: To take measures to address stereotypical attitudes towards the Roma community and to promote access to education, health and employment for the Roma community (Bhutan).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and acts accordingly. When adopting measures in various fields of social life, special attention is devoted to elimination of discrimination against Roma, including in the National Programme of Measures for the Roma for the Period 2010–2015.
Notes- Implementation Plan: The recommendation is being implemented. The Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs implements the recommendation in compliance with the National Programme of Measures for Roma for the period 2010– 2015 and the programme of detailed measures of the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs for the implementation of the Programme. The Ministry of Education and Sport finances better access to education for Roma: Guarantees funds for Roma assistants; more favourable standards and norms have been introduced for classes with Roma pupils; teaching aids are being financed; works on Roma history and literature are printed, including manuals for the work with Roma pupils, etc. The Ministry of Health implements measures to improve health care of Roma. The Institute of Public Health cooperates with health care institutes in areas populated by Roma. Measures are being implemented on a regular basis and assessed every year, as follows: Organisation of national annual conferences on the reduction of inequality in the health of Roma population, health of Roma women and children; programmes for the promotion of health among Roma; activities aimed at improving the rate of immunisation and faster seeking of assistance in health care and respecting the instructions of health care workers; organising workshops focusing on health in Roma settlements. As regards the implementation of the recommendation by the Office for Equal Opportunities, see answer under No. 28.
Recommendation 31: To provide mandatory human rights education and training to police, prison and detention staff and members of the judiciary, including awareness-raising regarding the protection of the rights of minorities, women and children, and to ensure their accountability for any violation of human rights (Czech Republic).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts this recommendation. It is already being implemented through systematic education and training of police and training of members of the judiciary. Efforts to achieve these objectives will continue.
Notes- Implementation Plan: The recommendation is being implemnted. The Office for Equal Opportunities implemented trainings, provided information and raised awareness of the general public and target groups within the scope of activities listed in answers to recommendations 22 and 28.
Recommendation 32: To promulgate a law on domestic violence that includes penalties and options for the treatment of those responsible for such crimes, and to undertake an awareness-raising campaign regarding domestic violence (Spain).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation regarding the treatment of those responsible for domestic violence. Options for treatment are provided in partnership with NGOs. Slovenia also accepts recommendation awareness-raising campaigns on Slovenia cannot accept the recommendation to promulgate a law on domestic violence due to the national system of criminal legislation. In Slovenia, criminal offences and sanctions are defined in the Criminal Code and in the Minor Offences Act.
Notes- Implementation Plan: In Slovenia, criminal offences and criminal sanctions are defined in the Criminal Code and the Minor Offences Act. With the adoption of the new Criminal Code in 2008 (KZ- 1), the criminal offence of family violence was extracted and reclassified from the criminal offence of violent behaviour (chapter on criminal offences against public order and peace) and newly defined in the chapter on criminal offences against marriage, family and children. In Slovenia, family violence is classified as criminal offence. The Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs implemented the recommendation by adopting the Family Violence Prevention Act, the Resolution on the 2009–2014 National Programme on Prevention of Family Violence and the Action Plan. The campaigns on family violence are being implemented in cooperation with NGOs.
Recommendation 33: To address the issue of gender-based violence, and to develop a comprehensive strategy or action plan for the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls (Norway).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and has already implemented it to a great extent.
Notes- Implementation Plan: The recommendation is being implemented. The Resolution on Family Violence Prevention for the Period 2009–2014 was adopted by Slovenia in 2009. The Resolution is a strategic document defining the objectives, measures and key policy makers, which is aimed at preventing and reducing family violence in Slovenia in the five-year period. With a two-year Action Plan (adopted in 2010), the Government ensured a more transparent use of public funds to reduce violence and targeted activities of relevant authorities for individual target groups. A government campaign against family violence has also been planned. See also answer to recommendation No. 18.
Recommendation 35: To strengthen measures to combat violence against women and girls (Azerbaijan); to continue to promote the comprehensive strategy to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls (Italy); to continue to make progress in implementing measures and programmes aimed at preventing and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls (Colombia).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and has already implemented it to a great extent.
Notes- Implementation Plan: See answer under No. 33.
Recommendation 38: To adopt effective and comprehensive measures to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, and to intensify campaigns to raise awareness about the criminal nature of domestic violence (Ghana).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and will continue to place special emphasis to awareness- raising campaigns concerning violence against women and domestic violence.
Notes- Implementation Plan: See answer under No. 33.
Recommendation 41: To combat all forms of the trafficking in women and girls (Islamic Republic of Iran).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and already acts accordingly.
Notes- Implementation Plan: As to trafficking in women, measures defined in the Action Plan of the Inter-ministerial Working Group on Trafficking in Human Beings were introduced. The implementation of measures is evident from annual reports. All information is available at the portal of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia. The Office for Equal Opportunities strengthened the capabilities to improve the fight against sexual harassment and its prevention as part of trainings, consultations and seminars, on which it reports in answers to recommendations Nos. 21, 22, 25, and 28.
Recommendation 43: To effectively apply the biennial action plans to prevent the trafficking in human beings, whose victims are often women and children forced into prostitution against their will, and to establish mechanisms for border and airport control to prevent such crimes, as well as conduct information campaigns and provide adequate assistance to victims (Mexico).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and already acts accordingly.
Notes- Implementation Plan: The effectiveness of the implementation of measures is also evident from the annual reports of the Inter- ministerial Working Group for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.
Recommendation 50: To continue to step up efforts to combat the trafficking in human beings, and in particular to establish criminal liability for the production and dissemination of materials advocating the trafficking in children, child prostitution and child pornography (Belarus).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and notes that it has already been implemented to a great extent by the new Criminal Code adopted in 2008. The Criminal Code may be additionally amended by legislative action in this area at the end of 2010.
Notes- Implementation Plan: The recommendation has been implemnted. The Criminal Code already covers such incriminations. The relevant measures have also been defined in the Action Plan of the Inter-ministerial Working Group.
Recommendation 51: To continue its efforts to effectively protect children’s rights and to combat child trafficking, child prostitution and pornography (Ukraine).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and notes that it has already been implemented to a great extent by the new Criminal Code adopted in 2008. The Criminal Code may be additionally amended by legislative action in this area at the end of 2010.
Notes- Implementation Plan: Slovenia implements measures for the protection of children’s rights against trafficking in children, child prostitution and pornography within the scope of the two- year action plans of the Government.
Recommendation 52: To criminalize the production and dissemination of materials advertising the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and to bring its Penal Code into conformity with the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (Ghana).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and notes that it has already been implemented to a great extent by the new Criminal Code adopted in 2008. The Criminal Code may be additionally amended by legislative action in this area at the end of 2010.
Notes- Implementation Plan: The Criminal Code was amended (Act amending the Criminal Code (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia No. 91/11; published on 14 November 2011, entry into force on 15 May 2012). The amended Article 176 of the Criminal Code (criminal offence: Presentation, Manufacture, Possession and Distribution of Pornographic Material) and a new Article 173a of the Criminal Code (criminal offence: Sexual Assault on a Person Below Fifteen Years of Age).
Recommendation 53: To continue its efforts, in cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, to prevent the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (Kyrgyzstan).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and has already implemented it in action plans against trafficking in human beings, as well as through other projects.
Notes- Implementation Plan: The recommendation is being implemnted.
Recommendation 58: To establish specialized tribunals with a view to accelerating trials related to family cases, in which the best interests of children should prevail, and to implement measures enabling socio-economically disadvantaged persons to receive free legal aid (Chile).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation regarding free legal aid and notes that it already acts accordingly. Slovenia cannot accept the recommendation on specialised family courts. Slovenia aims to gradually and systematically strengthen the existing family departments at district courts and facilitate the creation of new ones, if the need for such departments is independently established by the judiciary. The introduction of new courts with sole jurisdiction over family relations/children could cause new court backlogs or lengthy trials.
Notes- Implementation Plan: The recommendation has been implemnted.
Recommendation 76: To strengthen appropriate measures aimed at promoting and protecting the cultural rights of certain ethnic groups, in particular the rights of children belonging to those groups (Albania).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and has always acted accordingly.
Notes- Implementation Plan: The recommendation is being implemented. Since 1992, the Ministry of Culture has implemented a special programme, which is a combination of various measures, including the public tender for the financing of different other minority ethnic groups and immigrants in the Republic of Slovenia, whereby the projects intended for children or in which children are involved are regarded as a priority. Since 2010, the Public Fund for Cultural Activities has been engaged in the project, with a view to upgrading the purpose of the Ministry of Culture with both regional and field integration. The Government Office for National Minorities implements the recommendation within the scope of its responsibility for the Italian and Hungarian national communities and for the Roma community.
Recommendation 79: To grant, upon request, permanent residency to any person who was a citizen of another republic of the former Yugoslavia and who was a permanent resident of Slovenia immediately prior to its independence, as well as to his or her descendants; to provide appropriate compensation to those who were disadvantaged as a result of their “erasure”; and to conduct an outreach campaign concerning those measures to inform those now living abroad (Canada).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: Slovenia accepts the recommendation and refers, in the light of the decision by the Slovenian Constitutional Court in 2003, to the Act Amending the Act regulating the Legal Status of Citizens of Former Yugoslavia living in the Republic of Slovenia, which was developed by the Slovenian Government and presented to the National Assembly for adoption under a simplified procedure. The Act was dealt with by the National Assembly and adopted on 8 March 2010. The Act provides for a restoration of the residency status and registration of permanent residence with retroactive effect, under certain conditions, for all citizens of the former Yugoslavia, whose names were removed from the population register in 1992, allowing them to submit an application within three years of the date of adoption of the Act. Under the amended Act, permanent residence permits will also be made available to "erased persons" who do not live in Slovenia, if it is established during the procedure that they have been absent for well- founded reasons that do not terminate the actual residence requirement as defined by the Act. Compensation claims by persons whose permanent residence has been terminated ("erased persons") are dealt with by relevant Slovenian courts under the general principles of compensation legislation. Therefore the Government is not drafting any special measures regarding the matter.
Notes- Implementation Plan: The amended Act Regulating the Legal Status of Citizens of Former Yugoslavia Living in the Republic of Slovenia regulates the issue of permanent residence permits and special decisions such as that of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia, decision No. U-I-246/02-28 of 3 April 2003. The amended Act also regulates the issue of a permanent residence permit and the issue of a special decision to a child or a person born in Slovenia after 25 June 1991, of whom at least one of the parents had been removed from the register of permanent residence. With a view to informing the erased of the adoption of the amended Act and the conditions for the issue of a permanent residence permit and a special decision, the Ministry of the Interior drafted a special brochure containing information on the regulation of the status of persons removed from the register of permanent residents of the Republic of Slovenia, which is available from all administrative units, and was also received by NGOs, and a free phone service has been set up. With a view to informing the erased living abroad, the brochure was also sent to Slovenian diplomatic missions and consular posts in the successor states to the former SFRY. All important pieces of information regarding the resolving of the issue of the erased are also available on the web sites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, and at a special web site for foreign nationals www.infotujci.si, including the brochure and application forms for the issue of a permanent residence permit and of a special decision. At the end of 2011, the Ministry of the Interior published the brochure in four additional languages of successor states to the former SFRY. In January 2012, the brochures were distributed to all administrative units in Slovenia and to Slovenian diplomatic missions and consular posts in the successor states to the former SFRY, where they will be available to all those interested. The eligibility of the erased for damages is not regulated by the amended Act. The latter provides for the right of such persons to damages due to the removal from the register and the amount of damages is laid down by courts after the examination of individual actions for damages in compliance with the general rules of the law of damages.
Recommendation 89: To adopt measures to protect minorities not explicitly defined in the Constitution, and to adopt additional measures to promote, develop and preserve their ethnic and national identities (Czech Republic).
Position of the Republic of Slovenia: SSlovenia accepts the recommendation, as it has always acted accordingly. Articles 14, 61, and 62 of the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia guarantee to members of all national minorities full exercise of their individual rights to maintain their national, linguistic and cultural characteristics. The Government will continue with the implementation of adopted measures to promote, develop and preserve the ethnic and national identities of minorities.
Notes- Implementation Plan: The recommendation is being implemented. Since 1990, the Ministry of Culture has systematically implemented measures for minorities, also for those who are not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. In compliance with Articles 14, 61 and 62 of the Constitution, members of all minority and ethnic communities are guaranteed individual rights to preserve their own national, language and cultural features. The Ministry of Culture pursues the policy of protecting cultural rights of all special social groups, including ethnic minorities, and national communities recognised under the Constitution, Roma community, immigrants, various other minorities that are not recognised by the Constitution, with particular focus on the people of Gottschee, the disabled and other vulnerable groups. The Ministry of Culture supplements its policy with measures against multiple discrimination, with particular focus placed on children – members of minorities, children with special needs, older members of minorities, women members of minorities, etc.