News

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.

State Secretary and National Anti-Trafficking Coordinator Helga Dobrin hosted a meeting of the Network of Anti-Trafficking Coordinators of South-East Europe (NATC SEE) at Brdo pri Kranju.

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.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, a concentration camp that remains one of the most harrowing reminders of Nazi atrocities. Slovenia, an active member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which is marking its 25th anniversary, recently submitted its second periodic report.

On the occasion of world Human Rights Day, Slovenia's foreign policy message – Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now – reaffirms its commitment to promoting the respect for and protection of human rights, particularly within the framework of international organisations.

The first United Nations human rights treaty – the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide – was adopted on 9 December 1948, one day before the adoption of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948.

The Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee, the so-called Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, which deals mainly with human rights issues, has concluded its session in New York. During its session, which began on 3 October, the Committee again addressed a wide range of thematic issues and human rights situations around the world.

State Secretary Dr Melita Gabrič participated in the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security in New York, where she advocated for the greater inclusion of women in peace processes, enhanced funding for women's organisations at the local level and reinforced accountability for severe violations of the rights of women and girls in conflict zones.

The UN General Assembly Third Committee on Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs, which deals with human rights issues, is meeting in New York from 3 October 2024. Slovenia has traditionally focused its work on its priorities, such as the rights of women, the elderly and children, human rights and the environment, and the situation of human rights worldwide.

The 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which began on 9 September 2024, concluded today in Geneva. The UNHRC unanimously adopted a resolution on human rights education proposed by Slovenia in cooperation with a group of countries from different world regions.

Today marks the International Day of Older Persons, celebrated annually. This year’s theme is ''Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide.”

On 18 July 2024, Slovenia became a member of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC), marking an important milestone in its commitment to upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms, including those online, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. By joining the Coalition, Slovenia affirms its commitment to promoting and protecting digital rights and freedoms.

Today, the world observes the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict to honour the victims and stand in solidarity with the survivors of this horrific human rights violation and abuse. The United Nations General Assembly chose this day to commemorate the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1820 (2008), which condemns the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war and an impediment to peacebuilding.

This year, the theme of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is “No one left behind: Equality, freedom and justice for all”, which highlights the need for equality and respect for all people, regardless of their circumstances. As stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights".