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03 August 2000
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CERD
57th Session
3 August 2000
Morning
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination concluded this morning its consideration of a fourth periodic report submitted by Slovenia on its performance to implement the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
The Committee will issue its written conclusions and recommendations on the report of Slovenia towards the end of its current four-week session which will conclude on 25 August.
Over the course of the morning meeting, the Slovenian Government delegation provided responses to questions raised by Committee experts during the previous meeting. Among other things, the delegation told the Committee that all propaganda and all organizations based on racial superiority and hatred were condemned.
The report of Slovenia was introduced yesterday afternoon by a seven-member Government delegation; and the officials, led by Gregor Zore, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, were on hand for two days to discuss the document and to answer questions put by Committee members.
As one of the 156 States parties to the Convention, Slovenia must submit periodic summaries on its administrative and legislative measures which are taken with the view to implementing the provisions of the treaty.
Also this morning, the Committee briefly discussed the issue of " obsolete" general comments and the possibility of withdrawing them. It also agreed to take up, during its present session, current issues of racial discrimination occurring around the world, such as in Fiji, under its early warning and urgent matters procedure. The Committee also exchanged views on a draft press release to be issued concerning the thematic discussion on the issue of discrimination against the Roma.
When the Committee reconvenes at 3 p.m., it will take up the third periodic report of Slovakia (document CERD/C/328/Add.1).
Response of Slovenia
In response to questions raised by Committee experts during the previous meeting, the members of the Slovenian delegation spoke about the situation of the Roma people in the time of the Socialist Republic of Slovenia, which had been part of the Yugoslav Federation. Slovenia had assumed all the rights and obligations which had belonged to the federal authorities of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
At the time of the breakup of the Federation, there were about 240,000 Yugoslavians in Slovenia. The majority of those remained while the rest, mainly the military, left the new Republic, the delegation said. The process of naturalization was facilitated to integrate those who remained into the new Slovenian society. Minorities such as the Roma were given special status which strengthened their participation in the affairs of the country.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) had played an important role in the drafting of the report, with some of them taking part in reviewing the final version, the delegation said. In other areas, NGOs were active within the civil society and their cooperation was essential.
Asked about the status of the Convention within domestic legislation, the delegation said that all ratified international instruments constituted a part of domestic law.
The Ombudsman was elected by Parliament and it was an autonomous and independent body with an authority to investigate any complaints lodged by individuals, the delegation said. Article 159 of the Constitution and the Human Rights Act determined the role and competence of the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman's duty was to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms against the State's bodies.
Slovenia was asked if it intended to declare, under article 14 of the Convention, that it recognized the competence of the Committee to receive complaints from individuals claiming that their rights under the Convention had been violated by the State party, to which the delegation responded by saying that the issue was still under study.
With regard to article 4 of the Convention on the States parties' condemnation of all propaganda and all organizations which were based on ideas or superiority of one race or ethnic group, the delegation said that the provisions of the criminal law provided for severe punishment against such offenses. In addition, measures had been taken to protect citizens from any form of hatred and those who encouraged racial hatred were punished.
European Union citizens who had lived for three years in Slovenia could acquire real estate, the delegation said. The issue of land ownership had been debated by the country's parliament. So far, some amendments had been carried out. In some cases, the process of acquisition of land was also based on reciprocity among the countries of the European Union. Nevertheless, the Government was applying the principle of territorial integrity and land ownership by foreigners was restricted. If allowed and made free, there would be a risk that all the land could be bought by foreigners.
According to the Slovenian Constitution, the issue of Roma had to be dealt with by subsequent laws and rules, the delegation said. Special financial allocations had been made to develop the social integration and inclusion of the Roma people.
Only 13 per cent of the Roma people were regularly employed, and the Government was endeavouring to involve them more in the labour field, the delegation said. In matters of education, the Roma language was not recognized as an official language because of the different dialects spoken by various groups; and it lacked a regular form of script for teaching purposes.
With regard to the situation of temporary refugees, the delegation said that the large majority of this category of foreigners had arrived in Slovenia after 1991 following the armed conflict in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, particularly Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. Persons with temporary refugee status might apply to become residents in Slovenia, either for asylum or through a temporary residence permit. Around 4,150 refugees had obtained temporary or permanent residence permits and about 330 persons had acquired citizenship.
Police officers dealing with foreigners were given special training and lessons on how to deal with them, the delegation said. Those who dealt with asylum-seeking were also instructed on how to treat them on their arrival in the territory of the country.
YURI A. RECHETOV, the Committee expert who served as country rapporteur to the report of Slovenia, said that the Committee was now able to understand much about the situation in Slovenian. However, much remained to be done in the field of human rights. The discussion had enabled the Committee to embark on a constructive dialogue with the delegation and it should continue in that spirit.
Mr. Rechetov further said that humanitarian issues should be given priority. Concerning the sale of land, the delegation had said that it was related to the territorial integrity of the country, however, that issue should not violate the right to establish permanent residence in that country. Slovenia was a rich and democratic country and should continue in its efforts to construct a harmonious and egalitarian society.
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57th Session
3 August 2000
Morning
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination concluded this morning its consideration of a fourth periodic report submitted by Slovenia on its performance to implement the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
The Committee will issue its written conclusions and recommendations on the report of Slovenia towards the end of its current four-week session which will conclude on 25 August.
Over the course of the morning meeting, the Slovenian Government delegation provided responses to questions raised by Committee experts during the previous meeting. Among other things, the delegation told the Committee that all propaganda and all organizations based on racial superiority and hatred were condemned.
The report of Slovenia was introduced yesterday afternoon by a seven-member Government delegation; and the officials, led by Gregor Zore, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, were on hand for two days to discuss the document and to answer questions put by Committee members.
As one of the 156 States parties to the Convention, Slovenia must submit periodic summaries on its administrative and legislative measures which are taken with the view to implementing the provisions of the treaty.
Also this morning, the Committee briefly discussed the issue of " obsolete" general comments and the possibility of withdrawing them. It also agreed to take up, during its present session, current issues of racial discrimination occurring around the world, such as in Fiji, under its early warning and urgent matters procedure. The Committee also exchanged views on a draft press release to be issued concerning the thematic discussion on the issue of discrimination against the Roma.
When the Committee reconvenes at 3 p.m., it will take up the third periodic report of Slovakia (document CERD/C/328/Add.1).
Response of Slovenia
In response to questions raised by Committee experts during the previous meeting, the members of the Slovenian delegation spoke about the situation of the Roma people in the time of the Socialist Republic of Slovenia, which had been part of the Yugoslav Federation. Slovenia had assumed all the rights and obligations which had belonged to the federal authorities of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
At the time of the breakup of the Federation, there were about 240,000 Yugoslavians in Slovenia. The majority of those remained while the rest, mainly the military, left the new Republic, the delegation said. The process of naturalization was facilitated to integrate those who remained into the new Slovenian society. Minorities such as the Roma were given special status which strengthened their participation in the affairs of the country.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) had played an important role in the drafting of the report, with some of them taking part in reviewing the final version, the delegation said. In other areas, NGOs were active within the civil society and their cooperation was essential.
Asked about the status of the Convention within domestic legislation, the delegation said that all ratified international instruments constituted a part of domestic law.
The Ombudsman was elected by Parliament and it was an autonomous and independent body with an authority to investigate any complaints lodged by individuals, the delegation said. Article 159 of the Constitution and the Human Rights Act determined the role and competence of the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman's duty was to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms against the State's bodies.
Slovenia was asked if it intended to declare, under article 14 of the Convention, that it recognized the competence of the Committee to receive complaints from individuals claiming that their rights under the Convention had been violated by the State party, to which the delegation responded by saying that the issue was still under study.
With regard to article 4 of the Convention on the States parties' condemnation of all propaganda and all organizations which were based on ideas or superiority of one race or ethnic group, the delegation said that the provisions of the criminal law provided for severe punishment against such offenses. In addition, measures had been taken to protect citizens from any form of hatred and those who encouraged racial hatred were punished.
European Union citizens who had lived for three years in Slovenia could acquire real estate, the delegation said. The issue of land ownership had been debated by the country's parliament. So far, some amendments had been carried out. In some cases, the process of acquisition of land was also based on reciprocity among the countries of the European Union. Nevertheless, the Government was applying the principle of territorial integrity and land ownership by foreigners was restricted. If allowed and made free, there would be a risk that all the land could be bought by foreigners.
According to the Slovenian Constitution, the issue of Roma had to be dealt with by subsequent laws and rules, the delegation said. Special financial allocations had been made to develop the social integration and inclusion of the Roma people.
Only 13 per cent of the Roma people were regularly employed, and the Government was endeavouring to involve them more in the labour field, the delegation said. In matters of education, the Roma language was not recognized as an official language because of the different dialects spoken by various groups; and it lacked a regular form of script for teaching purposes.
With regard to the situation of temporary refugees, the delegation said that the large majority of this category of foreigners had arrived in Slovenia after 1991 following the armed conflict in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, particularly Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. Persons with temporary refugee status might apply to become residents in Slovenia, either for asylum or through a temporary residence permit. Around 4,150 refugees had obtained temporary or permanent residence permits and about 330 persons had acquired citizenship.
Police officers dealing with foreigners were given special training and lessons on how to deal with them, the delegation said. Those who dealt with asylum-seeking were also instructed on how to treat them on their arrival in the territory of the country.
YURI A. RECHETOV, the Committee expert who served as country rapporteur to the report of Slovenia, said that the Committee was now able to understand much about the situation in Slovenian. However, much remained to be done in the field of human rights. The discussion had enabled the Committee to embark on a constructive dialogue with the delegation and it should continue in that spirit.
Mr. Rechetov further said that humanitarian issues should be given priority. Concerning the sale of land, the delegation had said that it was related to the territorial integrity of the country, however, that issue should not violate the right to establish permanent residence in that country. Slovenia was a rich and democratic country and should continue in its efforts to construct a harmonious and egalitarian society.
* *** *