US EditionEU urged to confront Slovenia over new security law threatening Roma
The new law allows warrantless raids and increased surveillance, raising constitutional and EU concerns about privacy and discrimination against several thousand Roma in Slovenia.
- Parliamentarians in Ljubljana passed the so-called `utar law late on Monday, with all voting in favor less than two weeks after the legislation's initial proposal.
- A fatal stabbing in Novo Mesto last month prompted the law named after 48-year-old Alea `utar, and a 21-year-old Romani man’s detention sparked protests.
- Advocates warn the law treats an entire minority as a security threat and could designate whole neighbourhoods as security zones, while critics say it punishes all Roma with warrantless raids and surveillance.
- A leading Roma advocate called on the European Commission to act firmly against Slovenia, while on Tuesday spokesperson Eva Hrncirova urged Slovenia to avoid disproportionate enforcement and noted the law needs Slovenia's president's signature.
- Several thousand Roma in Slovenia face risks from increased surveillance and raids, while civil society groups say Slovenia's EU action plan for Roma integration lacks funding and credible goals.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Slovenia passes security bill criticized for targeting Roma citizens
The Slovenian parliament on Monday passed a security law that expands police powers and restricts welfare rights amid criticism that the law targets the Roma community. Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said the bill “is not designed to punish, its principal aim is prevention. We want to give police concrete powers to confiscate weapons quickly.” The legislation grants the police powers to enter homes without a warrant and video surveillance…
The law, which was passed after a murder committed by a young Roma man, gives the police free rein to conduct raids and monitor areas deemed to pose a security risk.
EU urged to confront Slovenia over new security law threatening Roma
A leading Roma rights advocate has called on the European Commission to take a firm stance against Slovenia — after the government in Ljubljana adopted a new security law that he says threatens the country’s Roma population.
Faced with criticism, the center-left prime minister has assured that the new measures are not directed “against a particular ethnic group, but against crime itself”
The adoption of a controversial law has sparked harsh criticism from human rights organizations after authorities in Slovenia decided to declare several neighborhoods inhabited by Roma as "risk zones." The new legislation allows police to...
The European Commission has called on Slovenia to ensure that the implementation of the bill on urgent measures to ensure public safety, or the so-called Šutar Act, adopted overnight, will not disproportionately affect any of the communities in the country.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 63% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
