VOLUNTARY UPR MID-TERM REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA ON THE
            IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS ACCEPTED DURING THE THIRD CYCLE OF THE
                                      UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW
       Ljubljana, January 2022
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      I. INTRODUCTION
      The human rights situation in the Republic of Slovenia was subject to the 3rd Universal Periodic Review on 12 November 2019 at the 34th session of the Human
      Rights Council’s UPR Working Group.
      The Government of the Republic of Slovenia examined all UPR Working Group’s recommendations; at its 59th regular session on 30 January 2020, it approved the
      Addendum to the Report of the UPR Working Group, expressing its position on the recommendations put forward to Slovenia by other states during the third UPR
      cycle. The Government accepted 182 out of the 215 recommendations and noted 33 recommendations. Slovenia’s report following the UPR and the Government’s
      response to recommendations were adopted at the 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council on 12 March 2020 (document no. A/HRC/43/15/Add.1.12). The
      Government of the Republic of Slovenia made the commitment to submit its voluntary mid-term report on the implementation of the accepted recommendations. The
      Mid-term Report contains information on Slovenia’s progress in implementing the recommendations that were accepted. 
      It is a result of cooperation between all Slovenia’s competent ministries and government offices; it was endorsed by the Interministerial Commission on Human
      Rights, Slovenia’s coordination body responsible for reporting under the ratified international human rights conventions. The Interministerial Commission also
      coordinates reporting under the ratified international instruments on human rights and fundamental freedoms and reporting under other instruments, and monitors
      the implementation of human rights commitments. This Mid-term Report was adopted by Decision No. (51104-8/2022/5) of the Government of the Republic of
      Slovenia at the Government session on 17 March 2022.
      The Government of the Republic of Slovenia remains a staunch advocate of the Universal Periodic Review as a unique mechanism of review by UN Member States,
      which was designed to improve the human rights situation at all levels.
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                    II. Implementation of the accepted recommendations
                        I.      This table includes the recommendations accepted by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, which are numbered as in paragraph 122 of the
                                Working Group Report on the Universal Periodic Review of Slovenia (document No. A/HRC/43/15). It provides the latest information on activities that
                                contribute to implementing the accepted recommendations.
                  Recommendation                       Explanations (the regulations, the situation and the existing action plans in the Republic of Slovenia)
                  1 Complete the                       An analysis of the contents of the Optional Protocol to ICESCR across different areas and an enquiry as to its implementation in
                  process of ratification              the states that have already ratified the Protocol are currently underway.
                  of the Optional 
                  Protocol to the 
                  International 
                  Covenant on 
                  Economic, Social and 
                  Cultural Rights 
                  (Senegal)
                  11 Recognize the                     The National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia ratified the Convention on 26 October 2021 (Official Gazette of the Republic 
                  competence of the                    of Slovenia No. 173/21, entry into force on 20 November 2021). The President of the Republic of Slovenia signed the instrument 
                  Committee on                         of ratification on 22 November 2021. In accordance with Article 3 of the Ratification Act, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided 
                  Enforced                             for a notification in accordance with Articles 31 and 32 of the Convention, which was, together with the instrument of ratification, 
                  Disappearances to                    deposited with the UN SG on 25 November 2021.
                  receive and consider 
                  communications from                  In accordance with Article 39 of the Convention, for Slovenia, the Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the 
                  or on behalf of                      date of deposit of the instrument of ratification.
                  individuals or other 
                  States parties 
                  (Lithuania);/Recognize
                  the competence of the
                  Committee on 
                  Enforced 
                  Disappearances to 
                  receive and consider 
                  communications from 
                  or on behalf of victims 
                  or other States parties
                  (Slovakia)
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              12 Adopt an open,           In accordance with the working processes of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the recommendation is being followed and 
              merit-based process         implemented. 
              when selecting 
              national candidates 
              for United Nations 
              treaty body elections 
              (United Kingdom of 
              Great Britain and 
              Northern Ireland)
              14 Ensure that the          Pursuant to Article 55 of the Human Rights Ombudsman Act (ZVarCP-UPB2), the funds for the work of the Ombudsman are
              Ombudsman and               provided from the budget of the Republic of Slovenia. 
              other national human 
              rights mechanisms           With regard to the recommendation on the funding of the Ombudsman, the Ministry of Finance explains that the amount to be
              are adequately funded       allocated from the national budget to non-governmental budget users is determined by the National Assembly of the Republic of
              and that financial          Slovenia on the Government’s proposal. The Ombudsman is a direct budget user and accordingly classified as public sector
              control is fully            (S.13), which means that it is subject to all public financial regulations. With regard to the recommendation on the funding of the
              independent of              Ombudsman, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia adopted a decision (Decision No. U-I-474/18) ordering the
              government (Ireland);       National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia to reach a legislative solution to ensure independence from the executive branch
                                          of government in relation to the funding of the Ombudsman, the Constitutional Court, the Court of Auditors and the National
                                          Council of the Republic of Slovenia. 
              15 Intensify efforts to     Slovenia already complies with the recommendation through the institution of Ombudsman. In protecting the right to non-
              establish a national        discrimination, a special role is also held by the Advocate of the Principle of Equality; within the judiciary, it is the Constitutional 
              human rights                Court of the Republic of Slovenia that decides, by individual acts, on constitutional complaints arising from violations of human 
              institution (Jordan)        rights and fundamental freedoms. In 2017, the Ministry of Justice drafted the Act Amending the Human Rights Ombudsman Act 
                                          (ZVarCP), which established the conditions so that on 26 January 2021, after years of efforts, the Ombudsman was for the first 
                                          time accredited with A-status under the UN Paris Principles relating to the status and functioning of national Institutions for the 
                                          protection and promotion of human rights.
              16 Consider                 The Republic of Slovenia is one of the countries with the highest level of protection of children’s rights. The Family Affairs
              establishing a national     Directorate at the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities is responsible for the implementation of the
              institution for the         Convention on the Rights of the Child, and thus for preparing regular programmes to enhance children's rights. 
              rights of the child         The 2017 Family Code established the Council for Children and Families headed by the Minister responsible for family affairs. 
              (Lebanon)                   The Council members are ministers from the ministries that are most relevant for the well-being of children, and representatives 
                                          of NGOs engaging in children’s rights in Slovenia. The competent ministry annually reports to the Council about all activities and 
                                          achievements in the field of children’s rights; and the most pressing issues are discussed.
                                          In November 2020, the new Programme for Children 2020–2025 (hereinafter: PO20–25) was adopted. The PO20–25 is an 
                                          independent strategic document aimed at setting out the fundamental goals and measures with regard to children’s rights and 
                                          the well-being and quality of life of children in the 2020–2025 period. The new Programme is based on the recommendations 
                                          contained in the Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child for the 2016–2021 period, and focuses on the needs that 
                                          are specific to Slovenia and concern children’s needs and the quality of their lives.
              17 Provide the              The Republic of Slovenia will continue striving to strengthen equality bodies.
              Advocate of the 
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