34th Universal Periodic Review: UK statement on Slovenia

The United Kingdom commends Slovenia’s commitment to human rights, We welcome Slovenia’s engagement with the UPR process and recognise Slovenia’s progress since its last review in 2014. We welcome Slovenia’s 2016 adoption of the Protection against Discrimination Act, as well as the 2018 amendment of the 2013 Act Regulating the Compensation for Damage Sustained as a Result of Erasure from the Register of Permanent Residents.

The UK commends Slovenia for signing the Global Pledge on Media Freedom in September 2019, and for committing to the Global Media Defence Fund. We note the recent tabling of legislation to introduce government-appointed media inspectors to prevent the publication of hate speech, and encourage Slovenia to ensure that this legislation is in line with commitments under the Global Pledge on Media Freedom. We also call on the government to promote and protect freedom of expression and decriminalise defamation.

We recommend that Slovenia:

1) Amend defamation legislation so that it is considered a civil, not criminal, offence.

2) Ratify and implement the International Labour Organization’s 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (P029).

3) Adopt an open, merit-based process when selecting national candidates for UN Treaty Body elections