Slovene Authorities Threaten Mentally Disabled Romani Man with Eviction

07 February 2004

On September 24, 2003, the Ljubljana-based non-governmental organisation Slovene Helsinki Monitor (Helsinški Monitor Slovenije - HMS) informed the ERRC that Mr Veselj Abazi, a 45-year-old mentally disabled Romani man, was to be forcibly evicted from his flat on September 16, 2003. Mr Abazi was to be evicted due to reported rental debts to the Real Estate Fund of the Republic of Slovenia's Pension Institute. According to the HMS, Slovene authorities had made no offer of alternative accommodation to Mr Abazi, who faced homelessness as a result of the eviction. The HMS reported that the threatened eviction was the second attempt this summer to evict Mr Abazi, but following an intervention of the HMS in July 2003, his eviction had been stayed. Since the first threat of eviction, Mr Abazi has reportedly paid his rental fees regularly in an attempt to settle his debt. For additional information on the situation of Roma in Slovenia, visit the ERRC website at: www.errc.org. 

(HMS)