Slovenia’s efforts to promote the rights of older persons at UNHRC 63rd regular session

Of particular significance for Slovenia at the session were the first appearance of Prof. Zvezdan Pirtošek in his capacity as Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, the increased focus on the rights of older persons, and the commemoration of two important anniversaries: the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training and the 5th anniversary of the recognition of the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

At the EU's initiative, resolutions on the human rights situations in the Russian Federation, Afghanistan and Burundi were successfully adopted, extending the mandates of the respective UN Special Rapporteurs. The HRC also adopted resolutions addressing the human rights situations in Sudan, Venezuela, Georgia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic and Yemen.

Thematic resolutions covered a wide range of issues, including the right to safe drinking water and sanitation; the enjoyment of human rights by young people; the impact of anti-personnel mines on human rights; enforced or involuntary disappearances; transitional justice; good governance; national human rights institutions; online harassment; the human rights of migrants; the rights of Indigenous Peoples; and the fight against racism and racial discrimination.

The HRC addressed several issues through resolutions for the first time, including children’s equal access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food; the impact of artificial intelligence on the promotion and protection of human rights; and the rights of women and girls in the context of digital technologies.

The HRC’s autumn sessions traditionally focus on racism and racial discrimination, the right to development, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples. This session also featured numerous discussions on pressing crises and human rights situations in individual countries. Slovenia actively participated in dialogues concerning Ukraine, Belarus, the Russian Federation, Sudan, Afghanistan and Iran, drawing attention to the ongoing human rights deterioration, particularly with regard to political prisoners and members of minority groups. Slovenia highlighted the importance of cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms and called for accountability for violations.

A key highlight of the session was the first appearance of Prof. Pirtošek in his capacity as Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons. As the first Slovenian to hold a special procedure mandate of the HRC, he presented a report on cognitive impairment and the continued exercise of human rights by older persons. During the interactive dialogue with Zvezdan Pirtošek, Slovenia took the floor both in its national capacity and on behalf of the Group of Friends of Human Rights of Older Persons, which Slovenia co-chairs with Argentina. The Group’s 10th anniversary was marked in the presence of Zvezdan Pirtošek and the permanent representatives of its member states. The report of the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Human Rights of Older Persons was also presented on the sidelines of the session. The Working Group was established at Slovenia’s initiative to draw up an international legally binding instrument. To mark the International Day of Older Persons on 1 October and support the ongoing work towards this instrument, Slovenia with its partners organised four side events addressing the challenges faced by older persons, facilitating the exchange of best practices and encouraging discussion on the next steps towards a convention.

The HRC held a high-level panel discussion to mark the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training. The discussion provided an opportunity to review progress, share best practices and consider challenges and next steps in the Declaration’s implementation.

Slovenia participated in the discussion on behalf of the Human Rights Education and Training Platform, which also comprises Brazil, the Philippines, Italy, Costa Rica, Morocco, Senegal and Thailand. At an event organised by a network of NGOs, Ambassador Božena Forštnarič Boroje, Slovenia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, presented national experiences and achievements in implementing both the Declaration and the World Programme for Human Rights Education.

Slovenia sponsored a cultural event featuring the Raízes Teatro theatre group, which demonstrated the effectiveness of the arts, most notably theatre, in raising awareness of human rights and promoting human rights education, especially among children and young people. Slovenia also co-organised and participated in numerous other side events.

With the fifth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) approaching, Slovenia, representing the Quadrilateral Group (Slovenia, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland), highlighted the importance of effectively implementing recommendations from previous cycles. As part of the Trilateral Group (Slovenia, Austria and Liechtenstein), Slovenia also participated in a high-level panel discussion marking the 60th anniversary of the International Covenants on Human Rights.

Together with Estonia and Uruguay, Slovenia issued a joint statement on ensuring the meaningful participation of children in decisions affecting their rights and lives in accordance with Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. To date, 35 countries have expressed their support for the initiative.

Slovenia also marked the 5th anniversary of the HRC’s recognition of the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, together with UN Special Rapporteur Astrid Puentes Riaño and members of the resolution’s core group. The well-attended event provided an opportunity to review progress and discuss further steps towards more effective implementation of this right.

The UN HRC is the United Nations’ principal intergovernmental body responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide. On 1 January 2026, Slovenia began its third term as its member for the 2026–2028 period.