News

Slovenia firmly opposes the death penalty at all times and in all circumstances. It is committed to its abolition globally. The approval by the Israeli Parliament of a bill enabling capital punishment represents a step back from Israel’s long-standing de facto moratorium.

The 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) has ended. This was Slovenia's first session as a member of the HRC since rejoining. Despite the current global tensions, the session yielded significant results, including discussions on the implementation of human rights in individual countries and the protection of children in armed conflict.

Addressing the session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Minister Tanja Fajon drew attention to the serious threats confronting human rights in the 21st century. “We must stand up for human rights every day, especially in the world we live in today. They will only survive if we defend them and defending them today takes courage.”

The 61st regular session of the UN Human Rights Council opens today in Geneva. This is the first session in which Slovenia is participating as a member during its 2026–2028 term. It will be represented at the high-level segment by Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon.

On 1 January 2026, Slovenia begins its three-year term as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, based in Geneva. This marks Slovenia’s third term on this key UN body, whose mandate is to promote, strengthen and protect human rights worldwide.

To mark Human Rights Day, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, in her capacity as President of the Security Council, chaired a discussion on the situation in Afghanistan. "Although human rights are universal, inalienable and indivisible, the situation on the ground is a stark reminder that their realisation remains a distant prospect, particularly for women and girls," the Minister underlined.

On the 75th anniversary of the proclamation of 10 December as International Human Rights Day, with this year’s slogan being Human Rights, Our Daily Essence, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon emphasised: "Slovenia strives to contribute to a world in which everyone can live with dignity and enjoy equal opportunities. In the international community, we systematically support human rights as a universal value".

Slovenia is actively contributing to the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security. This week, the Government adopted a new action plan for this area. Women, peace and security are one of the priority areas of Slovenia's membership in the UN Security Council. Slovenia systematically and comprehensively includes women and gender perspectives in the work of relevant international forums.

Slovenia was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2026–2028 term, securing 176 votes in the UN General Assembly in New York. Angola, Chile, Egypt, Ecuador, Estonia, India, Iraq, Italy, Mauritius, Pakistan, South Africa, Vietnam and the United Kingdom were elected alongside Slovenia for this term.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, is paying a visit to Slovenia today and tomorrow at the invitation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon. In addition to meetings with senior state representatives, High Commissioner Türk and Minister Fajon participated in a discussion entitled Building Our Common Future, held to mark the 80th anniversary of the UN.

UN Human Rights Council concluded its 60th session. At Slovenia's initiative, the mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons was extended, and at the EU's initiative, a mechanism was established to ensure accountability for human rights violations in Afghanistan. Professor Veronika Fikfak, a Slovenian expert, was elected as member of the Council's Advisory Board.

Today, on 1 October, we mark the International Day of Older Persons. This year’s theme is “Older persons driving local and global action: Our aspirations, our well-being and our rights.”

Today marks the start of the 60th regular session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Together with several other countries, Slovenia will propose a resolution on the human rights of older persons, aimed at extending the mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.

The 59th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council opened today in Geneva and will run until 9 July 2025. Slovenia will pay particular attention to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, while also responding to human rights situations around the world where the state of affairs is particularly worrying.

On this World Health Day conducted under the title ‘Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures’, the international community is urged to reflect on ways to ramp up efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, and to prioritize women’s longer-term health and well-being. The health of women and mothers and the well-being of children have always been at the forefront of Slovenia's international efforts.

The 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council concluded in Geneva, with Slovenia as one of the key co-creators of initiatives that contribute significantly to the strengthening of international human rights standards.

On the second day of the high-level segment of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC 58), the Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the United Nations in Geneva hosted a high-level side event titled: “Implementing Foreign Policy Goals with A Human Rights Lens: Advancing Equality through Multilateralism”.

On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Tanja Fajon, emphasised that women are agents of change and progress. Their leadership, expertise, and innovation are shaping the scientific landscape and driving solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

This year, for the third time in its history, Slovenia serves as a member of the UNICEF Executive Board for the 2025–2027 term and participates in today’s first regular session of the UNICEF Executive Board in 2025 at the UN headquarters in New York.

Today, at the 48th session of the Working Group of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, Slovenia presented the state of human rights in Slovenia within the framework of the 4th round of the Universal Periodic Review. The Slovenian delegation, which included representatives of several ministries and government offices, was led by Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Tanja Fajon.