The Protection of Human Rights under the European Convention on Human Rights in Slovenia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46941/2025.2.3Keywords:
Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, European system for protection of human rights, Council of Europe, constitutional protection of human rights obligations, Slovenia.Abstract
This article explores the protection of human rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in the Republic of Slovenia. Beginning with a brief introduction to the Council of Europe (CoE) and its key legal instrument, the ECHR, the author examines the structure of the ECHR, the rights it guarantees, the mechanisms for enforcing those rights, and its influence on both domestic legal systems and international human rights norms. The author then outlines the historical development of human rights in Slovenia, describes Slovenia's relationship with the CoE from a human rights perspective, and reviews Slovenia's ratification of the Convention and other CoE treaties. In the core sections, the author discusses how the ECHR's human rights protection obligations are reflected in the Slovenian Constitution and provides an overview of the significant legislative processes that have occurred in Slovenia as a result of the implementation of the ECHR and ECtHR’s judgments. Finally, the article analyses 15 landmark cases involving Slovenia before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
References
Avbelj, M. (ed.) (2019) Komentar Ustave Republike Slovenije. Del 2: Državna ureditev [Commentary on the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia. Part 2: State Organization]. Nova Gorica: Nova univerza, Evropska pravna fakuteta.
Avbelj, M. (2010) ’Report on the Role and Status of the ECHR and EU Law in Slovenia’, in Martinico, J., Pollicino, O. (eds.) The National Judicial Treatment of the EU and ECHR Laws, Europa Law Publishing [Online]. Available at: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1645822 (Accessed: 27 June 2025).
Avbelj, M. (2013) The Inherent Limits of Law - the Case of Slovenia', Verafassungsblog [Online]. Available at: https://verfassungsblog.de/the-inherent-limits-of-law-the-case-of-slovenia-2/?utm_source=chatgpt.com (Accessed: 21 May 2025).
Avbelj, M. (2018) Slovenia's Supreme Court rejects the European Court of Human Rights, Verafassungsblog [Online]. Available at: https://verfassungsblog.de/slovenias-supreme-court-rejects-the-european-court-of-human-rights/?utm_source=chatgpt.com (Accessed: 23 May 2025).
Avbelj, M., Letnar Černič, J. (2020) The Impact of European Institutions on the Rule of Law and Democracy: Slovenia and Beyond. Oxford: Hart Publishing; https://doi.org/10.5040/9781509915071.
Bardutzky, S. (2020) ’Limits in times of crisis: On limitations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Slovenian constitutional order’, Central European Journal of Comparative Law, 1(2), pp. 9-31; https://doi.org/10.47078/2020.2.9-31.
Fikfak, V., Kos, U. A. (2021) ’Slovenia - An Exemplary Complier With Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights?’ Pravna Praksa, Special Edition, 40(8), pp II-XI; https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3801105.
Flander, B. (2024) ’The International and Supranational Rule of Law in the Slovenian Legal System: 'Lessons' From European Courts’, Law, Identity and Values, 4(1), pp. 53-80; https://doi.org/10.55073/2024.1.53-80.
Flander, B., Meško, G., Hacin, R. (2023) ’Punishment in Slovenia: Seventy Years of Penal Policy Development’, European Journal for Criminal Policy and Research, 29 (2023), pp. 625-645; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10610-022-09524-8.
Flander, B., Modic, M., Lobnikar, B., Tičar, B. (2021) Učinkovitost sistemskega nadzora nad policijo na področju spoštovanja človekovih pravic ter zakonskih in strokovnih standardov policijskega dela, Zaključno poročilo ciljnega raziskovanega projekta (CRP V5-1942). Univerza v Mariboru, Fakulteta za varnostne vede. [Online]. Available at: https://www.fvv.um.si/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/CRP-1942_Zakljuc%CC%8Cno-poroc%CC%8Cilo.pdf (Accessed: 30 March 2025).
Grad F., Kaučič, I., Zagorc, S. (2018) Ustavno pravo [Constitutional Law], Ljubjana: Pravna fakulteta.
Hacin, R., Meško, G., Aebi, M., Flander, B. (2022) ’From apparent unity to diversity: Penal policies of (former) Yugoslav republics’, European Journal of Crime, Criminal Law and Criminal Justice, 30(3-4), pp. 329-354; https://doi.org/10.1163/15718174-bja10038
Ivanc, B. (2019) ’Človekove pravice in temeljne svoboščine, 17. člen (nedotakljivost življenja)’ in Avbelj, M. (ed.) Komentar Ustave Republike Slovenije [Commentary on the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia] [Online]. Available at: https://e-kurs.si/cleni/17-clen/ (Accessed: June 28, 2025).
Juhart, M., Sancin, V. (2022) ’Slovenia: An Example of a Constitution Guaranteeing High-Level Protection of Natural Resources and Sui Generis Right to Drinking Water’ in Szilágyi, E. J. (ed.) Constitutional Protection of the Environment and Future Generations,Studies of the Central European Professors' Network, Miskolc – Budapest: Central European Academic Publishing, pp. 439-478; https://doi.org/10.54237/profnet.2022.jeszcpefg_11.
Kečanović, B, (2006) ’Še o prezrtem sporočilu iz Strasbourga, Pravna Praksa’, no. 46, 2006, pp. 20-22 [Online]. Available at: https://www.pravnapraksa.si/literatura/PP101D20061130V46PS20PE20N1/ (Accessed: January 15, 2025).
Klemenčič G. (2006) ’Matko proti Sloveniji - prezrto sporočilo iz Strasbourga’, Pravna Praksa, no. 45, 2006, pp. 3-4 [Online]. Available at: https://www.pravnapraksa.si/literatura/PP101D20061123V45PS3PE4N1/ (Accessed: May 18, 2025).
Korff, D. (2006) ’The right to life: A guide to the implementation of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights’, Council of Europe, Human rights handbooks, No. 8 [Online]. Available at: https://www.refworld.org/reference/research/coe/2006/en/92032 (Accessed: February 15, 2025).
Krkljuš, L. (2009) Pravna istorija srpskog naroda [Legal history of Serbian Nation]. Univerzitet v Beogradu: Pravni fakultet.
Kukavica, J. (2022) ’Matej Avbelj and Jernej Letnar Černič: The Impact of European Institutions on the Rule of Law and Democracy: Slovenia and Beyond (Book Review)’, European Journal of Legal Studies, 14(1), pp 267-278; http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4123129.
Režek, M. (2002) ’Neodvisnost sodstva na preizkušnji: pravosodje in sistem politične kazenske represije v Jugoslaviji (1948-1959)’, Zgodovina za vse, Vol. 9, 2002: 81-92.
Ribičič, C. (1978) ’Izvršilna oblast v stari Jugoslaviji’, Zbornik znanstvenih razprav, 38, pp. 241-268.
Skočir, M. (2023) ’Legislative Framework of the Crime of Torture in the Regulation and Jurisdiction of Slovenia’, Central European Academy Law Review, 1(2), pp. 221-239; https://doi.org/10.62733/2023.1.221-238.
Skubic, Z. (2011) ’Evolving Justice: The Constitutional Relationship Between the Ministry Of Justice and the Judiciary and a Short Overview of Recent Developments in the Area Of Court Management in the Republic of Slovenia’, International Journal for Court Administration, December 2011, pp. 1-19 [Online]. Available at: https://iacajournal.org/articles/67/files/submission/proof/67-1-150-1-10 (Accessed: 27 February 2025).
Šepec, M. (2019) ’Človekove pravice in temeljne svoboščine, 18. člen (prepoved mučenja)’ in Avbelj, M. (ed.) Komentar Ustave Republike Slovenije. [Online]. Available at: https://e-kurs.si/cleni/18-clen/ (Accessed: 29 January 2025).
Teršek, A. (2009) ’Defending Social Rights in Economic Crises: More Active Constitutional Policy and Greater Positive Obligations of the State’, in Dávid R., Neckář J., Sehnálek D. (eds.) COFOLA 2009: the Conference Proceedings.[Online]. Available at:https://www.law.muni.cz/sborniky/cofola2009/files/contributions/Andraz%20Tersek.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com (Accessed: 13 April 2025).
Teršek, A. (2020a) 'Legal and Political Priorities Regarding the Problem of Mental Health and Suicide After the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic', Javno zdravje, 6/2020, pp. 1-4 [Online]. Available at: https://nijz.si/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/tersek_a_jz_2020_06.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com (Accessed: 11 April 2025).
Teršek, A. (2020b) ’Compulsory Vaccination Controversy, ECtHR and Fundamental Human Rights’, ECHR Caselaw.com [Online]. Available at: https://www.echrcaselaw.com/en/echr-decisions/compulsory-vaccination-controversy-ecthr-and-fundamental-human-rights/ (Accessed: 17 April 2025).
Teršek, A. (2020c) ’Constitutional Remarks on Understanding Freedom of Expression and the Concept of "Hate Speech" in Slovenia - and in Europe’. ECHR Caselaw.com [Online]. Available at: https://www.echrcaselaw.com/en/echr-decisions/by-article/article-10/constitutional-remarks-on-understanding-freedom-of-expression-and-the-concept-of-hate-speech-in-slovenia-and-in-europe/?utm_source=chatgpt.com (Accessed: 21 April 2025).
Teršek, A., Dragan, J., Pavlin, D., Nastran. B., Vražič, N. (2021) ’On the Legality and Constitutionality of the Measures by which the Slovenian Government Restricted Constitutional Rights and Freedoms Before and After the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic: Part 1’, Open Political Science, 202; https://doi.org/10.1515/openps-2021-0015.
Vilfan, S. (1996) Pravna zgodovina slovencev [Legal history of Slovenians], Slovenska matica.
Zagorc, S. (2005) ’Dvojna predramitev za slovensko oblast: Odprava kršitev pravice do sojenja v razumnem roku - kako naprej?’, Revus - Journal for constitutional theory and philosophy of law, 2005(5), pp. 45-53; https://doi.org/10.4000/revus.1768.
Zobec, J. (2012) Pilotne sodbe - konstitucionalizacija Evropskega sodišča za človekove pravice?, Dignitas, št. 55/56, pp. 12-33; https://doi: 10.31601/DGNT/55/56-2.
Zobec, J. (2016) 'Just a Glass Bead Game?' in Motoc, I., Ziemele, I. (eds.) The Impact of the ECHR on Democratic Change in Central and Eastern Europe Judicial Perspectives, Cambridge University Press, pp. 425 – 456; https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781316471340.021.
Žontar, J. (2009) ’Od neoabsolutizma do razpada monarhije’, Kronika: časopis za slovensko krajevno zgodovino, Vol. 57, Izredna številka, pp. 483-506.
Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (2023) 'Sixth Report submitted by Slovenia', received on 25 July 2023 [Online]. Available at: https://rm.coe.int/6th-sr-slovenia-en/1680ac0ef3 (Accessed: 13 June 2025).
Committee Against Torture (1999) ’Consideration of reports submitted by states parties under Article 19 of the Convention’, Initial reports of States parties due in 1994, Addendum, Slovenia, 10 August 1999 [Online]. Available at: https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/g00/406/51/pdf/g0040651.pdf (Accessed: 7 April 2025).
Committee of Ministers (2025a) Execution of the European Court of Human Rights' Judgements: Main Achievements in Member States - Slovenia, Department for the Execution of Judgements of the European Court of Human Rights [Online]. Available at: https://rm.coe.int/ma-slovenia-eng/1680a186c4 (Accessed: 9 April 2025).
Committee of Ministers (2025b) Main issues before the Committee of Ministers - Ongoing supervision: Slovenia, Department for the Execution of Judgements of the European Court of Human Rights [Online]. Available at: https://rm.coe.int/mi-slovenia-eng/1680a23ca9 (Accessed: 12 April 2025).
Council of Europe (2012) Report by the Secretary General on the Review of Council of Europe Conventions [Online]. Available at: https://search.coe.int/cm#{%22CoEIdentifier%22:[%2209000016805ca7b0%22],%22sort%22:[%22CoEValidationDate%20Descending%22]} (Accessed: 16 September 2024).
Council of Europe (2025) The Council of Europe: key facts [Online]. Available at: https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/the-council-of-europe-key-facts (Accessed: 12 March 2025).
Council of Europe (2025a) Committee of Ministers [Online]. Available at: https://www.coe.int/en/web/cm (Accessed: 14 March 2025).
Council of Europe (2025b) Parliamentary Assembly [Online]. Available at: https://pace.coe.int/en/ (Accessed: 13 March 2025).
CPT (2025) Report to the Slovenian Government on the visit to Slovenia carried out by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) from 8 to 17 October 2024, Strasbourg, 6 May 2025 [Online]. Available at: https://rm.coe.int/1680b59e7b (Accessed: 21 April 2025).
ECRI (2022) ECRI Conclusions on the Implementation of the Recommendations in Respect of Slovenia Subject to Interim Follow-Up, European Committee Against Racism and Intolerance, adopted on 7 December 2021 and published on 3 March 2022 [Online]. Available at: https://rm.coe.int/ecri-conclusions-on-the-implementation-of-the-recommendations-in-respe/1680a59af2 (Accessed: 21 April 2025).
ECtHR (2022a) European Court of Human Rights Overview 1959-2021. [Online]. Available at: https://www.echr.coe.int/documents/d/echr/Overview_19592021_ENG (Accessed: 7 December 2024).
ECtHR (2022c) 'First Section, Application no. 15118/22, Zoran Jankovič against Slovenia, lodged on 21 March 2022, communicated on 4 October 2022' [Online]. Available at: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/#{%22itemid%22[%22001-220477%22]} (Accessed: 14 February 2025).
ECtHR (2025a) Press country profile - Slovenia, July 2024 [Online]. Available at: https://www.echr.coe.int/documents/d/echr/cp_slovenia_eng (Accessed: 11 April 2025)
ECtHR (2025b) Department for the Execution of Judgements, of the European Court of Human Rights, Slovenia, Execution of the European Court of Human Rights, Judgements, Main Achievements in Member States' [Online]. Available at: https://rm.coe.int/ma-slovenia-eng/1680a186c4 (Accessed: 3 May 2025).
ESCR (2024) European Social Charter (Revised): European Committee of Social Rights Conclusions 2023 - Slovenia', March 2024 [Online]. Available at: https://rm.coe.int/conclusions-2023-slovenia-en-2768-8360-0649-1/1680aedd1c (Accessed: 16 May 2025).
Government of the Republic of Slovenia (2025) ’Obveznost izvrševanja sodb Evropskega sodišča za človekove pravice’. [Online]. Available at: https://www.gov.si/teme/obveznost-izvrsevanja-sodb-evropskega-sodisca-za-clovekove-pravice/ (Accessed: June 3, 2025).
Grevio (2021) ’Evaluation Report on legislative and other measures giving effect to the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) – Slovenia’, Adopted on 21 June 2021 and published on 12 October 2021 [Online]. Available at: https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2063607/First+baseline+report+on+Slovenia.pdf (Accessed: 30 June 2025).
Supreme Court of the Republic of Slovenia (2010) ’Conference ACA-Europe: Preventing backlog in administrative justice, Luxembourg - June 2010, Questionnaire – Slovenia’ [Online]. Available at: https://www.aca-europe.eu/colloquia/2010/Slov%C3%A9nie_EN_conference_june_2010.pdf (Accessed: 12 May 2025).
Venice Commission of the Council of Europe (2000) Opinion on the constitutional amendments concerning legislative elections in the Republic of Slovenia, Adopted at 44th Plenary Meeting (13-14 October 2000) [Online]. Available at: https://www.coe.int/en/web/venice-commission/-/opinion-135 (Accessed: 1 April 2025).
