Category Archives: Slovenia

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Šutar Act

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Šutar Act

One year after Aleš Šutar’s death, mayors and social services report little improvement in safety and social conditions for the Roma community in southeastern Slovenia, despite the implementation of the ‘Šutar Act’.

The law, aimed at addressing social issues, has faced setbacks due to a constitutional court ruling that halted its enforcement, leading to a return to previous conditions.

While some Roma representatives claim safety has improved, they express concern over the negative impact of the law on the community’s welfare and emphasize that the actions of one individual should not reflect on the entire Roma population.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Roma Employment

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Roma Employment

Employment of Roma in regions like Dolenjska, Bela Krajina, and Kočevje in Slovenia remains a significant challenge, with discussions on barriers and potential solutions taking place at a recent mayoral school event in Novo Mesto.

Participants highlighted issues such as low education levels, lack of work experience, and community prejudices as major obstacles to Roma employment, emphasizing the need for better collaboration between organizations and local communities.

Despite efforts over the years, progress in integrating Roma into the workforce has been minimal, with calls for more effective long-term strategies and support from local governments.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Counting Roma …

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Counting Roma …

A project, proposed by the Office for Nationalities of Slovenia, aims to develop and test a methodology for a pilot census of the Roma population in Slovenia, focusing on detailed demographic data by age, gender, and settlement.

It will concentrate on 20 municipalities with Roma councilors and five additional municipalities with recorded Roma settlements, with an optional inclusion of Roma in Ljubljana and Maribor.

The project, costing up to 90,000 euros, seeks to establish a database for the selected calendar year and assess the gap between existing estimates and actual collected data, contributing to the implementation of European frameworks for Roma equality.

Well, how do they really count them, and a database of Roma, that we have already seen tooo many times …

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Work and Roma in Slovenia

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Work and Roma in Slovenia

Adis Hudorovac, a resident of a Roma settlement in Slovenia, struggles to find employment despite working public jobs and facing transportation challenges due to lack of a driver’s license.

The article discusses the impact of social welfare policies on Roma communities, highlighting the tension between social assistance and employment incentives, with some mayors expressing skepticism about Roma’s willingness to work.

Proposed solutions include job centers and training programs, but there are concerns about the effectiveness of current policies and the ongoing social issues within Roma communities.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Šutar Act

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Šutar Act

Nearly a year after the death of a pub owner, Aleš Šutar, and the subsequent implementation of the Šutar Act what is the situation like in Roma settlements in Slovenia? Some mayors believe that the most significant impact has been on social welfare payments, which are now cut for non respect of laws and regulations.

What is scary are the proposed solutions from the mayors. These include fencing settlements, special schools, and employment centers resembling prisons, as suggested by the mayor of Ribnica.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Integration Meeting

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Integration Meeting

A three-day meeting was held in Metlika to discuss coexistence between the majority and Roma communities in southeastern Slovenia, resulting in over 25 joint calls and 80 specific proposals for improvement, focusing on education, health, and living conditions.

Participants emphasized the need for inclusive collaboration among all stakeholders and highlighted the importance of Roma community involvement in planning and monitoring measures funded by state resources.

The meeting aimed to foster dialogue and identify common interests, with plans to present the proposals to municipalities and the state in the coming months.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and Roma

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Slovenia and Roma

A three-day meeting in Metlika, brought together citizens from both majority and Roma in southeastern Slovenia to discuss shared living conditions and potential solutions to local issues.

Participants identified over 25 joint calls and 80 specific proposals aimed at improving education, health, and living conditions, emphasizing the need for inclusive decision-making processes.

Key recommendations included enhancing Roma participation in local and national decision-making, better oversight of state funds for Roma improvement, and addressing issues like stray animals in Roma settlements.

Croatia News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and Croatia

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Slovenia and Croatia

Slovenia and Croatia are collaborating to improve the situation of the Roma community through joint initiatives and solutions in key areas affecting their lives.

Key focus areas include better living conditions, education and employment opportunities, combating anti-Roma discrimination, and strengthening political representation for Roma.

The meeting aimed to foster long-term partnerships and develop concrete project proposals based on the actual needs of the Roma community.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and Roma

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Slovenia and Roma

Mayors from Southeast Slovenia and Posavje met with government representatives to discuss long-term solutions for issues related to the Roma community, focusing on public safety, social policy, education, and employment. The mayors emphasized the need for collaboration between the state and local communities to address administrative barriers and implement effective measures.

They called for a comprehensive legislative framework that integrates public safety, social policy, and employment to achieve sustainable improvements in the community.

Well, again without Roma. This will not solve any problems …

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovene Local Elections

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Slovene Local Elections

There are challenges in ensuring candidates and voter participation among the Roma community in local elections, often leading to low turnout or no candidates at all.

Darko Rudaš, president of the Forum of Roma Councilors in Slovenia, notes a gradual increase in candidates, indicating growing recognition of the importance of participation in local governance.

Concerns about elected representatives forgetting community issues or serving personal interests contribute to low trust and participation, suggesting a need for mechanisms like recall options for councilors.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Southern Slovenia and Roma

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Southern Slovenia and Roma

Three government ministers met with mayors from southeastern Slovenia and Posavje to discuss security and social issues in areas with Roma populations, as well as potential solutions.

The mayors expressed concerns that security has worsened despite police presence, reiterating similar sentiments from three months ago.

Interior Minister Franci Matoz acknowledged that while police are fulfilling their duties, the security situation remains unsatisfactory, emphasizing the need for improvements in the judicial system.

Mayor Gregor Macedoni highlighted the importance of addressing social policy and employment for Roma communities, focusing on the root causes of public order violations.

Economic Minister Anže Logar stressed that social benefits should come with responsibilities, urging Roma to engage in community work and improve their employment rates.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenian Mayoral Elections

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Slovenian Mayoral Elections

A pre-election discussion on improving employment for the Roma community will take place in Novo mesto, involving mayoral candidates and Roma representatives.

The event is organized by the Regional NGO Center and aims to find practical solutions for better integration of Roma into the labor market.

The discussion is part of a broader initiative involving 12 regional NGO networks across Slovenia, with local elections scheduled for November 15.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Illegal Building

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Illegal Building

Authorities demolished an illegally constructed building in the Roma settlement of Brezje–Žabjak, following a legal order from the construction inspectorate.

The police provided protection during the demolition, as the building was erected without proper permits on municipal land.

The municipality of Novo mesto has been actively working towards the legal regulation and gradual legalization of Roma settlements for several years.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and Roma

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Slovenia and Roma

The Roma Community Council of Slovenia has opened its first office in southeastern Slovenia, located in Kočevje, to improve connections with the Roma community, municipalities, and organizations in the region.

A full-time coordinator will manage the office, facilitating initiatives, sharing information, and enhancing communication between local Roma and the council.

Local and state representatives expect the office to foster better dialogue on issues related to education, employment, and the integration of Roma individuals.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Roma “Problematic”

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Roma “Problematic”

The Dolenjska People’s Initiative held its fourth consultation in Novo mesto regarding issues related to the Roma community and conditions in southeastern Slovenia, highlighting the absence of many invited participants.

Key attendees included local and state representatives, but many Roma councilors and organizations like Amnesty International were notably absent, raising concerns about engagement.

Not surprising when you consider what policies the inititative is proposing…

France News Eastern Europe News Western Europe Slovenia

Hamidović Family

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Hamidović Family

Roberto Hamidović and six family members were sentenced for forcing children into mass pickpocketing in Paris, with Hamidović receiving eight years in prison and a €500,000 fine.

The family, Roma from Bosnia, was involved in various crimes including human trafficking and organized theft, with children used to evade prosecution.

The fact thagt this appears in Slovenia, with strong views about Roma “criminality” highlights how one family can severely damage the image of an entire population.

Bad.

News Eastern Europe Serbia Slovenia

So Vakeres?

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So Vakeres?

The Romani show “So vakeres – Kaj govoriš?” airs twice a month and is produced by Romani journalists in Serbia.

Approximately 500,000 Roma live unofficially in Serbia, striving for greater equality through various organizations and media.

The international project “Roma Soul Food” preserves Romani memories and stories through culinary traditions, including a cooking competition for traditional Romani dishes, which symbolizes the activation and integration of Roma into society.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Concert

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Concert

A concert celebrating World Romani Language Day on November 5, will feature the band Amala, led by composer Imer Traja Brizani, showcasing their new album ‘Amala 30’.

The performance will include original compositions and timeless Romani classics, divided into acoustic and electric segments, featuring various instruments and a vocal section.

Special guest Oto Pestner will join the concert alongside international soloists, aiming to create a transcultural bridge and promote coexistence among nations.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenian Project

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Slovenian Project

The project has involved over 200 Roma individuals from three municipalities, focusing on individual and family counseling, educational support for children and youth, and workshops to promote education and social inclusion.

Concrete activities have been implemented to improve living conditions, including the installation of raised garden beds to encourage gardening and healthy eating, along with community engagement.

The project emphasizes understanding Roma culture, history, and language, and aims to strengthen trust and social inclusion between the Roma community and the local environment.

News Eastern Europe Slovenia

Slovenia and Integration

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Slovenia and Integration

A delegation from the Office for Nationalities visited Kočevje to discuss the integration of the Roma community, highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges in education and employment.

The mayor emphasized the need for reform in social welfare to encourage employment among the Roma, as current benefits can disincentivize work.

Concerns were raised about the financial burden on the municipality due to damages caused by individuals in the Roma community, with a call for accountability and support for those willing to integrate and work.

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