News

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has nominated Prof. Dr Verica Trstenjak as a candidate for the office of European Union Special Representative for Human Rights, for the period from 1 September 2026 to 29 February 2028, and has instructed the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs to announce the nomination and take all necessary steps to secure support for it.

The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) has concluded its 62nd regular session, during which it adopted the resolution “Twentieth anniversary of the Human Rights Council”, which was proposed by Slovenia.

Today marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), held this year under the theme At the heart of democracy.

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.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the largest and deadliest Nazi concentration camp, on 27 January 1945. With its 1.5 million Jewish victims, Auschwitz stands as a haunting testament to the horrors of the Holocaust. This day not only preserves the memory of the mass atrocities, but also raises awareness to ensure that genocide is never repeated.

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".

In 2015, the UN General Assembly, on the initiative of Armenia, passed a resolution establishing 9 December as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was one of the first treaties addressing respect for human rights and was adopted one day before the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on 10 December 1948. Commemoration and memorialisation efforts not only honour the victims and survivors of genocide, but also serve as effective mechanisms for the prevention of future genocides.

"We must always stand up for the rights of women and girls. This is a priority of Slovenia’s foreign policy, both in the context of its non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council and its upcoming UN Human Rights Council membership. I would like us to build a world in which all women and girls are safe and do not experience violence."

After several weeks of meetings in New York, the work of the UN General Assembly Committee on Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Issues, known as the Third Committee, which focuses largely on human rights issues, has concluded.

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, signed on 4 November 1950 in Rome.

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.”