A/HRC/43/15
included awareness-raising and research activities in that area. The Advocate was
authorized to request a review of the constitutionality of legal acts.
9.
The delegation reiterated the commitment of Slovenia to the empowerment of
women and gender equality at the national and international levels. Slovenia had taken
several measures to prevent and combat domestic violence. The Government had submitted
its first national report on the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on
Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul
Convention), which had been ratified in 2014. The Government had carried out a number of
awareness-raising campaigns on domestic violence and cyberviolence and had expanded
the network of crisis centres and safe houses throughout the country. The Government had
implemented several programmes to prevent violence against older women. It had provided
funding for several projects relating to gender equality that were being implemented by
representatives of civil society.
10.
In 2016, Slovenia had adopted the Civil Union Act, granting heterosexual couples
and same-sex couples living in civil union the same rights as married couples, except in
relation to medically assisted procreation and joint adoption of children.
11.
The Government had taken additional measures to resolve the status of persons
erased from the register of permanent residents of Slovenia after the dissolution of
Yugoslavia. Slovenia had adopted a law to enable every “erased” person to claim just
compensation. In 2016, the Council of Europe had deemed the implementation of the
related judgment of the European Court of Human Rights satisfactory, and had concluded
its supervision over the matter.
12.
Slovenia had made considerable progress in reducing a backlog of court cases and
shortening the length of trials to ensure the right to fair trial without undue delays.
13.
The Government had adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards hate speech. Public
incitement to hatred, violence or intolerance was a criminal offence under certain
circumstances, punishable by imprisonment. The promotion of tolerance and of respect for
diversity were among the goals of the public education system. A special website allowed
anonymous reporting of hate speech and other illegal web content. The Ministry of Culture
had concluded public consultations on a new Media Act aimed at adapting legislation to the
new digital media reality by including provisions to counter hate speech in the media,
including online and through new digital media.
14.
In 2018, Slovenia had adopted its first National Action Plan on Business and Human
Rights.
15.
In 2016, Slovenia had incorporated the right to drinking water in the Constitution, in
order to guarantee access to drinking water to all on a non-profit basis.
16.
The Constitution guaranteed freedom of expression, and the Constitution and the
Media Act adequately protected the right to public information. In 2019, Slovenia had
started to amend the relevant legislation to ensure, inter alia, financial support for the
development of independent media operating in the public interest.
17.
The Government had established the Expert Group for Solving Spatial Issues in
Roma Settlements, with a view to resolving issues concerning access to water, sanitation
and electricity for Roma, as a guideline for the future work of the State authorities,
municipalities and other institutions. Local communities provided the basic communal
infrastructure to about 75 per cent of the Roma settlements, with funding from the State
budget and from European Union funds. The National Programme of Measures for Roma
for the period 2017–2021 included measures to prevent discrimination against Roma and to
ensure social inclusion of Roma. Members of the Roma minority could access legal aid in
line with criteria established by the Legal Aid Act.
18.
The Domestic Violence Prevention Act included provisions prohibiting corporal
punishment. The amendments of 2017 to the Organization and Financing of Education Act
prohibited corporal punishment of children in kindergartens, schools, and educational
institutions for children and young people with special needs.
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