European Commission on Racism and Intolerance Reviews Slovenia

07 February 2004

On July 8, 2003, the Council of Europe's European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) made public its second report on Slovenia under its country-by-country analysis of racism and intolerance in each of the member states of the Council of Europe. ECRI noted in its second report that Roma in Slovenia may be particularly vulnerable to problems of racism, intolerance and discrimination. ECRI further noted:

"35. In some areas, the living conditions of Roma give rise to deep concern. Their settlements lack basic amenities such as running water, heating and sanitation. Unemployment is extremely widespread. This situation is due to several factors which include a general low level of education and a lack of awareness among Roma of their rights. Roma also suffer discrimination in many fields of life, such as housing, employment and health care. One reason for this is linked to the fact that many Roma come from other territories of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) and do not have Slovenian citizenship. They are therefore particularly affected by the problems faced by persons who did not manage to regularise their legal status in Slovenia. [...]

37. ECRI is concerned about stereotypes and prejudices towards Roma on the part of the general public, sometimes reflected in the media. It urges the Slovenian authorities to monitor the situation in this field and to encourage awareness-raising among the general public, so as to reduce prejudice against Roma."

The full text of the ECRI report is available on the Internet at: http://www.coe.int/. Further information on the situation of Roma in Slovenia can be found on the ERRC's Internet website at: www.errc.org. 

(ERRC)