Slovene Government Fails to Fulfil Obligations Under International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

19 July 2005

On July 8, 2005 the ERRC submitted a letter to the United Nations Human Rights Committee concerning the human rights status of Roma in Slovenia beneath the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. ERRC monitoring determined that the Slovene government's distinction between autochthonous (apparently those whose families have lived continuously in Slovenia for generations) and non-autochthonous (apparently those who are perceived to have primary links to other former Yugoslav republics, or are otherwise viewed as not having a full claim on belonging in Slovenia) Roma, both in practice and in law, breaches Slovene obligations under Article 27 of the Covenant, which prevents distinction between citizens and non- citizens in the fulfilment of rights obligations. Furthermore, the ERRC found that Roma without documentation of their citizenship often faced harassment by the police, inability to secure employment, and serious obstacles in the areas of health care, education, and housing. Thus, the letter also raised concerns regarding the state's compliance with Articles 2, 24, and 26 of the Covenant, as well as other aspects of international law. The ERRC submission coincides with the UNHRC's review of Slovenia's compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights at its 84th session, July 11-29, 2005.