Working environment

Slovenia has acceded to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol in 1992. UNHCR covers Slovenia out of its Regional Representation for Central Europe in Budapest.

According to the latest provisional figures, in 2010 some 246 people applied for asylum in Slovenia. Some 38 applications have been lodged by unaccompanied minors and separated children. In 2010, 21 asylum-seekers were granted refugee status and two people received a complementary form of protection. The three main countries of origin of asylum-seekers were: Turkey, Afghanistan and Bosnia-Herzegovina. 

Projects and activities

In order to ensure the access to the territory and asylum procedures, thus protecting asylum-seekers from refoulement (being returned to a place where their lives or freedom would be at risk), UNHCR in Slovenia has been carrying out border monitoring since the end of 2008, in cooperation with an NGO partner. It also works to ensure that effective legal counselling and protection information is provided to asylum-seekers in order to prevent their administrative detention. 

UNHCR in Slovenia took part in the Asylum Quality Assurance and Evaluation Mechanism project completed in February 2010, evaluating the first and second instance refugee status determination processes. The project played a vital role in supporting the development and enhancement of the national asylum system and decision procedure. 

Advocacy for and the facilitation of the establishment of quality control mechanisms in the asylum system remain a priority for the UN Refugee Agency. The agency also sponsors judges to participate in seminars and conferences and organizes trainings together with the Administrative court. 

UNHCR in Slovenia regularly shares comments on legislation with the government that have a direct impact on the livelihoods of refugees and asylum-seekers. 

Since 2005 participatory assessments are being carried out as part of UNHCR’s global Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming strategy. As a result of the monitoring of reception and accommodation facilities, the treatment of asylum-seekers and refugee opportunities for integration have slowly but drastically improved. Following an amendment to the asylum legislation in 2010, asylum-seekers now receive pocket money, and nine months after lodging their asylum application, they can take up employment. 

During the annual field visits and the continuous monitoring of the asylum system, UNHCR in Slovenia pays a special attention to the protection of women, children and other vulnerable groups as well as to issues related to the prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence. It participates in a working group dealing with cases of sexual and gender-based violence and organizes trainings. 

One of UNHCR’s main activities in Slovenia is promoting the active participation of the different stakeholders, particularly relevant government agencies and civil society in order to enhance the possibilities for the integration of refugees. UNHCR encourages the government to position refugee integration measures within the broader integration policies, programs and plans drawn up for migrants or EU nationals. 

UNHCR also advocates for the development of a resettlement programme. 

Slovenia has ratified the 1954 Convention on Statelessness, but is not a party to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. UNHCR, therefore, lobbies for the accession to the latter convention.

UNHCR also advocates for a durable solution to the problem of the so-called “erased cases”. In 1992, more than 25.000 people were removed from Slovenia's population register and many of the erased citizens had not yet acquired any legal status after Slovenia became independent. Those who have succeeded in obtaining citizenship still face the consequences of the erasure. They come mainly (but not only) from former Yugoslavia and had been living in Slovenia ever since or for a long time already.

All efforts of UNHCR in Slovenia are supported by various Public Information activities to create visibility related to refugee issues, including media relations, website and publications for specific target groups. UNHCR enjoys a steady partnership with key institutions in the government, judiciary as well as NGOs and the civil society.