Information about Slovenia

Slovenia is a relatively small European country (and part of EU), located in the heart of Europe, neighbouring Italy in the West, Austria in the North, Hungary in the Northeast and Croatia in the East and South-East. In the South, Slovenia has a little piece of sea.

The capital is Ljubljana, which is also an economic, cultural and political centre. The Slovenian territory covers 20,273 km². The state border is 1,382 km long, of which 921 km are on land, 413 km on rivers and 48 km on the sea border.

Geographically, Slovenia lies in Central and South-Eastern Europe, at the junction of the Alps, the Dinaric mountains, the Pannonian Plain and the Mediterranean.

It has a very diverse terrain with high mountains (in the north-western part of the country the Alps dominate with the highest peak Triglav (2864 m)), a distinctive flat landscape in Prekmurje in the North-East, valleys and basins in the central part, diverse Karst landscape in the South-East and a narrow strip of the sea.

Half of its surface is covered by forests. The region is intertwined with numerous rivers and karstic caves, among which there are beauties such as Postojna Cave and the Škocjan Caves, which are listed as Slovenian national heritage.

What is the climate like in Slovenia?

Slovenia is a continental country with four seasons: winter, spring, summer and autumn, which have their own characteristics. In winter, temperatures can drop to 20 degrees Celsius below zero, and in summer they can reach + 35 degrees or more. The autumn is the season with the most rain.

There are several climate zones in Slovenia: mountain, continental to the Mediterranean climate, which, due to the diversity of the landscape, are rather atypical.

In the northwest of the Alps, the mountain climate prevails, which means that it is relatively cold throughout the year; the larger part of precipitations fall in this part of the country, especially in the form of snow.

The mountain climate can be unpredictable, meaning that it can also snow in the summer, and that the temperatures can drop to around zero, while the rest of the country is pleasantly warm.

By the sea, the Mediterranean climate prevails with mild winters, when the temperatures rarely drop below zero and most days are warm and sunny.

In the rest of Slovenia, a moderate continental climate dominates, characterized by cold winters and hot summers, which may vary depending on the location.

Slovenia is also known for its diversity in plant and animal species, including the world-famous human fish.

Who lives in Slovenia?

Regarding its population, Slovenia is a homogeneous country. Of the 2,066,880 inhabitants (January 2018), the majority are Slovenes (94.10%). The number of foreign nationals has been increasing in recent years, but still remains quite low at 5.9% (January 2018).

Slovenia is home to two indigenous minorities – Italian (coastal towns and their hinterlands) and Hungarian (Prekmurje); there are also the Roma ethnic communities (Prekmurje, Dolenjska and Bela krajina).

The average population is 101.9 inhabitants per km². About half of the population lives in urban areas, while others live in rural areas. The average age is 43.1 years. Life expectancy is 78 years for men and 84 for women (2016).

The majority of foreigners are immigrants from the territory of the former Yugoslav republics – mainly Serbs and Croats (2%), followed by Bosnians and Albanians.

In last 3 years (2016—May 2018) 362 refugees were granted asylum in Slovenia (756 altogether). They came mainly from Syria, Iraq, Iran and Eritrea and they live in Ljubljana or Maribor (second biggest city in Slovenia).

Catholicism is the main religion in Slovenia as most (more than 50%) of the population declare themselves as Catholics. However, other religions are also present; Evangelism is more frequent in the South-East part of the country.

For more info about religion, see chapter Religion.

What is the language in Slovenia?

The official language in Slovenia is Slovene. In the areas of municipalities where Italian or Hungarian national communities live (along the border with Italy and Hungary), the official language is also Italian or Hungarian. Since 2004, Slovene is also one of the official languages ​​of the European Union. Slovene has almost 50 dialects, which can differ a lot; people who speak certain dialects can be difficult to understand evet to people who know the official Slovene language.

Slovene language is part of the Slavic group of languages such as Czech, Slovak, Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Bulgarian, Macedonian, etc. It is most similar to Croatian, Serbian and Bosnian. It contains 25 letters (a b c č d e f g h i j k l m n o p r s š t u v z ž) and 29 sounds. Letters č, š, ž are the writing sign for the sounds tʃ, ʃ and ʒ.

Most Slovenes speak at least one foreigner language, mainly English and German. Often they also speak Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian due to common past and large ex-Yugoslavian community. Italian and Hungarian are also spoken in the areas near the border. In communities with a large percentage of Albanian migrants, Albanian is also frequently spoken.

Approximately 2,500,000 people speak Slovene; most of them live in Slovenia, but Slovene is also spoken in Austria, Italy, Hungary and Croatia. There are also large ethnic minorities of Slovenian descent in Argentina, USA and Australia.

What political system does Slovenia have?

Slovenia is a parliamentary democracy. For information about political system, see: ‘Political system and society’ chapter.

Learning opportunities:

• More information about Slovenia:
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovenia
  • https://www.slovenia.info/en
  • https://www.britannica.com/place/Slovenia
  • https://wikitravel.org/en/Slovenia
  • https://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/climate/Slovenia.htm
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Slovenia

• For information about language courses, see chapter ‘Language courses‘

What political system does Slovenia have?

Slovenia is a parliamentary democracy. It has been a part of EU (European Union) since 2004. For more information about EU, see: (https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/eu-in-brief_en).

The head of the state is the President of the Republic, who has a representative role and is elected every five years. The holder of the executive power in Slovenia is the Government, which is led by the Prime Minister.

The Government is composed of Prime Minister and ministers. The Prime Minister is nominated by the President of the Republic of Slovenia and confirmed by the National Assembly, which is chaired by the President of the National Assembly.

The parliament of Slovenia consists of the National Assembly and the National Council of the Republic of Slovenia. The National Assembly (»decision maker«) has 90 seats, occupied by 88 directly elected representatives and two proportionally elected representatives (one from the Italian and Hungarian minorities).

Members of National Assembly are usually members of political parties, so voters vote for the party, not for individuals. There are many political parties in Slovenia, generally divided in the Left (more liberal) and Right (more conservative) Wing.

The National Council has 40 seats, represented by social, economic, professional and locally important groups. The National Council does not function as the second (upper) Chamber of the House, since the Constitution does not provide any jurisdiction to the National Council.

The President of the Republic and Members of the Parliament are elected in the elections, where every adult citizen (over 18 years of age) has the right to vote and to be elected. Note that only citizens can vote and be elected. On information how to get Slovenian citizenship, see chapter International protection.

Slovenia is governed by the rule of law, which means that the laws are the means for regulating social relations and for preventing and resolving legal disputes. The Constitution is the highest general act by which the state defines the general principles and forms of its political and social order.

The constitution also provides the fundamental human rights and freedoms for every citizen. Thus, everyone living in Slovenia is guaranteed the same human rights and fundamental freedoms, regardless of their nationality, race, sex, language, religion, political or other belief, material status, birth, education, social status, disability or any other personal circumstance.

There are 212 municipalities in Slovenia, 11 of them have urban municipality status: Celje, Koper, Kranj, Ljubljana, Maribor, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje.

Municipalities must provide pre-school and school education and primary health care, key public services (including public transport and library services) and are in charge of spatial planning.

Slovenia is divided into 12 statistical regions: Podravska region, Carinthian region, Savinjska region, Zasavska region, Posavje region, South-East Slovenia, Central Slovenia, Gorenjska region, Primorsko-notranjska region, Goriška region, Obalno-kraška region, which do not have any authority regarding management.

Links:

More information about political system in Slovenia:

• http://www.vlada.si/en/about_slovenia/political_system/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Slovenia
• https://www.investslovenia.org/business-environment/country-profile/state-political-system/
• http://www.sloveniainside.com/en/info/politicheskoe-ustroystvo.html

Which are the religions in Slovenia?

In Slovenia, state and religion are separate. That means the law is superior to any religious regulations. Slovenes have a right to their own religious beliefs. Religion is private, so you are not obliged to state your religious or other beliefs publicly.

Questions about religious, sexual or political beliefs are considered inappropriate. It is also permitted not to be a member of any religious group. People are treated equally, irrespective of their religious belief. Religious communities enjoy equal rights, and they pursue their activities freely.

Majority of Slovenes are Christian. They make up approximately 60% of the population. There are different sub-groups of Christians: Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants. A big part of the population (around 10%) does not belong to any religion – either they were never religious or they have resigned from a religion.

A small part of people belong to other religious groups – the most, approximately 2.4%, are Muslim. Many people do not state their religion. Most of the people belonging to religions other than Christianity live in bigger cities.

(2002 – http://www.hervardi.com/statisticni_podatki_slovenije.php)

There is just one mosque in Slovenia, located in Jesenice, but in Ljubljana, an Islamic centre is being built. However, there are two communities, which are dedicated to the preservation of Islamic values among Muslims of Slovenia and organize various events: Muslim Community of Slovenia (http://www.smskupnost.si/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=68&Itemid=43) and Islamic community (http://www.islamska-skupnost.si/).

Public holidays are accordant with the Christian religion and historic events, so there are no Muslim holidays. Wearing headscarf for religious reasons is allowed, but for the law it is important that women wear it voluntarily. Unfortunately, practices of discrimination are still present.

Hate speech and verbal assaults are the main forms of racism. For more information, see chapter Protection against discrimination. However, there are people and associations fighting against discrimination and encouraging diversity and multiculturalism.

What rights do residents have?

As resident of the Slovene territory, you are guaranteed fundamental rights (UN Declaration of Human rights http://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/), which cannot be violated:

• Right to self-determination
• Right to liberty
• Right to due process of law
• Right to freedom of movement
• Right to freedom of thought
• Right to freedom of religion
• Right to freedom of expression
• Right to peaceful assembly
• Right to freedom of association

Human rights and fundamental freedoms in Slovenia are also defined by the Constitution (http://www.us-rs.si/en/about-the-court/legal-basis/constitution/), which states equality before the Law. In Slovenia, everyone shall be guaranteed equal human rights and fundamental freedoms irrespective of their national origin, race, sex, language, religion, political or other conviction, material standing, birth, education, social status, disability, or any other personal circumstance.

Human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Constitution can be divided into 4 groups:

1. Personal

• Inviolability of human life
• Protection of human personality and dignity
• Freedom of conscience
• Freedom of movement
• Right to judicial protection
• Right to marriage and having family, freedom of choice in childbearing, rights of children – for more information, see chapter Family & children
• Education and schooling – for more information, see chapter Education
• Expression of national affiliation, the right to use one’s own language and script

There is no death penalty in Slovenia and torture is prohibited.

2. Political

• Right to vote (only for citizens above the age of 18) – for more information, see chapter Political system
• Right of assembly and association
• Asylum (within the limits of the law, the right of asylum shall be recognised to foreign nationals and stateless persons who are subject to persecution because of their commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms) – for more information, see chapter International protection

3. Social and economic

• Freedom of work – for more information, see chapter Employment
• Right to social security – for more information, see chapter Welfare benefits and social security
• Right to health care – for more information, see chapter Health
• Rights of disabled persons – for more information, see chapter Information for different groups

4. Rights of national communities – the autochthonous Italian and Hungarian national communities in Slovenia have special rights.

If you think your human rights and fundamental freedoms have been violated, you can contact the Ombudsperson. For more information, see chapter Protection against discrimination.

Which are the rights and duties of Asylum seekers?

Rights and duties of asylum seekers are defined in International protection act (http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/47f1fdfc2.pdf).

If you are an asylum seeker in Slovenia, you have the right to:

• live (reside) in Slovenia;
• follow the procedure in a language you understand;
• obtain information;
• free legal aid in procedures before the Administrative and the Supreme Court before the decision becomes final;
• basic care in case of accommodation in the asylum centre (accommodation, food, clothing and footwear, hygienic accessories – for more information, see chapter Housing;
• financial assistance in case of private accommodation – for more information, see chapter Housing;
• emergency medical treatment – for more information, see chapter Health;
• education – for more information, see chapter Education;
• access to the labour market: as an asylum seeker, you are allowed to work if 9 months have passed since submitting the application, if you have not yet received any decision. For more information, see chapter Work;
• Humanitarian aid;
• pocket money (18 Euros/month).

Vulnerable persons with special needs have the right to special treatment – for more information, see chapter Information for different groups.

Asylum seekers have the duty to obey the Slovene law and house rules in the asylum centre and to cooperate in the asylum procedure. However, you do not have the right to family reunification before you get a reply concerning your application.

What are the rights and duties of persons granted international protection?

Rights and duties of persons granted international protection are defined in the International protection act (http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/47f1fdfc2.pdf).

If you have been granted international protection in Slovenia, you have the right to:

• information on the status, rights and obligations of persons with international protection,
• permanent residence in the Republic of Slovenia – for more information, see chapter International protection,
• accommodation in the accommodation capacities of the Ministry (integration house) – for more information, see chapter Housing,
• financial assistance for private accommodation – for more information, see chapter Housing,
• health care – same as Slovene citizens (for more information, see chapter Health),
• social care – same as Slovene citizens (for more information, see chapter Health),
• schooling and education – for more information, see chapter Education,
• employment and work – for more information, see chapter Work,
• assistance during the integration process.

Vulnerable persons with special needs have the right to special treatment – for more information, see chapter Information for different groups.

Persons under international protection have the duty to obey the Slovene law. They also have the right to family reunification under certain conditions (for more information, see chapter Information for different groups).

How to get Slovene citizenship?

If you are a person that has been granted international protection, you have the right to acquire Slovene citizenship under certain conditions:

• you have been living in Slovenia for 5 successive years (that means actually living in the country – not leaving it for longer periods of time)
• you are at least 18 years of age;
• you have a guaranteed permanent source of income at least equal to the amount that ensures material and social security (in practice, you have to be employed or have regular income for 2 years continuously (if you have a permanent job) or 6 months (if you have a temporary contract));
• you passed a basic level exam in Slovene language;
• you were not sentenced to an unconditional prison sentence longer than three months, nor conditionally sentenced to prison sentence with probation longer than one year;
• your residence permit in the Republic of Slovenia has not been annulled;
• you do not represent a threat to the public order, security or defence of the State;
• you settled all your tax obligations;
• you submit a declaration that, by obtaining the citizenship of the Republic of Slovenia, you agree to respect the legal system of the Republic of Slovenia.

The application for citizenship is submitted at the administrative unit. There is a lot of paperwork to fill out and the procedure can last a long time.

What are my duties if I live in Slovenia?

As an equal member of the Slovene society, you have to respect the law. If you want to be a part of community, you should also actively participate and work together with the local population. This can be done through socially useful work such as volunteering (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volunteering) or community activities. This is a way to show your willingness to integrate in the new society and to contribute to its development and at the same time a precious opportunity for cultural and social exchange and personal growth of both you and the locals.

What are the duties of the Slovene state?

The state has the corresponding duties to provide you with the equality and all the rights stated in the Constitution (more info at the top of the page).

Slovenia commits to supporting the process of integration of foreign citizens. This can be realized through the collaboration with different organizations and institutions, depending on your status. For more information, see chapter International protection.

Further information & links

– Information for foreigners: http://www.mnz.gov.si/fileadmin/mnz.gov.si/pageuploads/DUNZMN_2013/DUNZMN_2014/Informacije_za_tujce_-_ANGLESKA.pdf

– How to get Slovene citizenship: http://www.mnz.gov.si/en/services/slovenia_your_new_country/citizenship/

What is discrimination?

Discrimination refers to unfair or unequal treatment of an individual (or group) based on certain characteristics. Everyone has the right to be treated fairly and respectfully. When someone is discriminated against, it means they are being treated badly or unfairly based on their personal characteristics.

Protection Against Discrimination Act is the most important law in this domain in Slovenia. It is prohibited to discriminate a person because of his/hers race, ethnicity, skin colour, gender, language, religion, political or other beliefs, national or social origin, property, trade union membership, education, social status, marital or family status, age, health condition, disability, genetic heritage, gender identity and expression and sexual orientation.

Discrimination is not limited to persons with some of the above-mentioned characteristics or belonging to a certain group. The discrimination can also occur if you are perceived as a person or as someone connected to a person or group of persons with certain characteristic.

When individuals or organisations treat you differently from everyone else because of your age, nationality, disability etc. they are discriminating you. Discrimination can be a horrible and hurtful experience and, in many instances, it is against the law and regarded as a form of violence. Nevertheless, you should be aware that not every difference in treatment is a form of discrimination.

Some examples of discrimination:

• someone saying hurtful, offensive things or attacking you or making fun of you (making jokes about you)
• being excluded or left out
• having a group of people gang up on you
• being made to do hurtful or inappropriate things
• being threatened
• finding yourself having to defend who you are and what you believe against stereotypes and untrue claims.

It is against the law to be discriminated in these areas of public life:

• workplace, labour market, employment
• education, science and sports
• accommodation
• social welfare, pension system, social and health insurance
• health
• government services – access to justice and administration
• accessing goods, services and facilities
• public information and media
• membership in trade unions, NGOs, political parties and other organizations
• participation in culture and arts.

How can I be protected against discrimination and where can I seek help?

If you think you have been discriminated, you can contact Ombudsperson’s Office, which is the central body for human rights. They can give advice to victims, investigate the facts of a case, and investigate proceedings. They can also refer you to other institutions that can help you and protect you.

In addition, Ombudsperson can:

–  provide necessary information to natural and legal persons with regard to their rights and obligations and to the possibilities of court and other protection,

– warn the public about the occurrence of discrimination,

– conduct surveys concerning discrimination, giving opinions and recommendations, and suggesting appropriate legal and strategic solutions.

If you want to file a complaint to the Ombudsperson, you can do that in writing (mail, fax or e-mail), by phone or in person. Ombudsperson should give you an answer to your complaint.

If you think your child has been discriminated, you can turn to the specialized Ombudsperson – the Ombudsperson for children.

You can also contact civil society organisations that work with victims of discrimination and/or provide legal aid.

How is the community organized in Slovenia?

In Slovenia, living in the city is much different from living in rural areas. In cities, the atmosphere is more private, neighbours barely know each other, while in the countryside, people are much more connected. It is quite common that a neighbour has the keys of other neighbours` houses to water their flowers while they are away.

In rural areas, communities are strongly connected. It is common that people get together and help each other. On one hand, that is very nice and convenient, but on the other, you may miss the privacy – your neighbour always knows where you are.

In Slovene society, it is expected to respect others, their rights and their privacy. You will also need to respect some societal rules such as not to disturb the public order.

It is not permitted to smoke in restaurants and public places. In Slovene society, contact that is more “energetic” can be quickly regarded as aggressive and violent and people can feel offended. You should pay attention to your voice (intonation, height) as the screaming and yelling (even if not in anger) are not tolerated.

Communities in Slovenia are officially divided into city quarters or local/village communities, which carry out administrative matters at the lowest level. They are engaged in meeting public needs of the community. Through local communities, the inhabitants of a certain area can influence the events in their community.

Communities are arranged in such a way that each community provides main public services like kindergarten, school, health centre or doctor, grocery store, ATM, public transport and cultural and leisure activities. Community is also connected through different associations, NGOs and interest groups, which organize different events on the local level.

What are the societal norms of living in the neighbourhood?

Slovenes are a very hospitable but rather closed nation, so the norms in the society are quite strict. If living in a multi-flat building, you should obey the house rules strictly. You should take care of common goods, as they are your own.

There should be no loud noises between 10pm and 6am (time to sleep/rest) and if somebody disobeys the rules, people may call the police. In addition, people expect you to respect their privacy. You should announce your visit before ringing the door. However, Slovenes will probably be more welcoming if you invite them to a cup of coffee.

Usually, multi-flat buildings have a building manager who is responsible for taking care of common areas and goods. In addition, inhabitants pay extra for maintenance and costs of common areas (cleaning, electricity in the hallways etc.). Most big buildings have a council of tenants, which meets regularly and adjudicates on common matters (renovations, adaptations etc.). For more information, see the chapter on Housing.

Garbage and recycling

Recycling is mandatory in Slovenia. We divide trash into 5 categories and we have separate bins for each of them: paper and card, recyclable plastic and metal, glass, biological waste and mixed waste. In addition, you must use a recyclable or paper bag for biological waste (or no bag, but then your bin is dirty and smelly all the time). Usually every house or block of apartments has their own bins, with appropriate containers to put your waste in. The waste disposal service comes to pick up the trash according to their timetable (they pick up one category of trash each day of the week). In some cases, you have to put your bin on the street so they pick it up easily. You can be fined if you do not recycle or if you throw your garbage in the street.

Garden and courtyards

If you live in a house and have a garden, make sure you cut your grass regularly (if you will not use if for planting). If you live in a building, often there are common courtyards. Courtyard is a meeting point for everyone in the area and often a play area for children. Everyone has to be careful about plants, shrubs, and other common facilities and use the garbage bins provided in the courtyard.

Pets

Pets are very common in Slovenia. They are treated as part of the family and there are regulation for protection and safety of animals, meaning that no animal should be maltreated, beaten or stoned. If you have a pet, you have to take care of it.

Dogs have to be kept on a leash at all times while outside your apartment. If you use public transport, dogs also have to wear a muzzle. It is also your responsibility to clean after your pets (to pick up dog poop etc.).

If you have a pet, it can be more difficult to find apartment as not every landlord allows pets. For more information about pets and the accommodation, see chapter Housing.

Further information and links

• How to handle waste: http://www.snaga.si/en/separating-and-collecting-waste

How to be a parent in a new country?

Coming to a new country, especially for those who are forced to move, can be difficult for both parents and children. As a parent, you might be faced with cultural norms, customs and legal obligations regarding parenting that are different from what you are used to and the ways you were brought up as children.

Sometimes, children find it easier to integrate into the new community than their parents do. Children naturally learn the language quicker, especially if they go to school and spend time with their peers.

This can lead to changing roles in the family and putting too many responsibilities on the child. It is important for parents to stay supportive to the development of the child and realization of their potentials. This includes allowing the child to pursue his/her own interests.

What should I know about family, marriage & partnerships?

Traditionally, family in Slovenia constitutes of man, woman and their children.  Many couples live together and have children before they get married, some also choose not to marry at all. If they live together as a couple for a long time, they have the same rights as married couples.

It is also very common that a man and a woman are in a relationship for a while, even years, before they decide to marry. Moreover, it is not very common that a man ask a woman to marry him right away.

Two women or two men can get married or form a partnership, which means their relationship is legally recognized and in rights equals to marriage between men and women. However, same sex couples in Slovenia cannot adopt children.

The wedding ceremony can be civil and religious. For a wedding to be valid, it must be performed by a registered and approved officiant. A civil marriage is a ceremony unconnected to any religion.

If the wedding is a religious ceremony performed by a celebrant who does not have the right to solemnise marriages, the marriage is not official in the eyes of the law. For it to become official, a civil marriage is also required.

In Slovenia, you can only be married to one person at a time. To marry, both woman and man have to be over 18 years of age. Marriage between blood relatives (e.g. parents, siblings, cousins etc.) is not possible.

Slovenian law also forbids forced marriage. This means that no one can force anyone else to marry. Everyone has the right to decide whom he or she wants to marry. You always have the right to say no to getting married.

Both man and woman have equal rights and responsibilities. They are both allowed to work if they want to and choose what kind of work they do. They decide where they want to live together, if they want to have children or not and how many children they would like to have.

They have to participate in taking care of their children and household equally. All family members have to respect one another, should help each other and support each other.

Every person above the age of 18 has to financially support their parents if they are unable to work and do not have enough money to sustain themselves.

What are my duties as a parent?

In Slovenia, children have special rights and as parents we all need to respect them. The main document pertaining to the children’s rights is the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Every person under 18 years of age is considered a child. Every child is equal and has equal rights. Children you adopt are equal to your biological children. Male children and female children are equal and should be treated equally.

You should never leave your child under the age of seven without supervision of a person that is at least 16 years old. This includes leaving your child alone at home.

Children also have other rights:

• to go to school; parents’ duty is to take them to school and pick them up;
• to relax and play and to join cultural, artistic and other recreational activities;
• to think and believe what they want and to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights;
• a right to privacy;
• to meet and to join groups and organisations according to their interests and appropriately for their age.

Children have the right to quality healthcare; if they are poor or do not have anybody to take care of them, they are entitled to get help from the state. Children who have any kind of disability have the right to special care and support.

Children have the right to be protected from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse. They have the right to live with their parent(s), unless living with the parents is dangerous for the child. Children whose parents do not live together have the right to stay in contact with both parents, unless this might hurt the child.

If you are a person with international protection and you are separated from your family (from your parents and brothers/sisters (child) or your children (adult)), you have the right to family reunification – your family members have the right to come and live with you.

Children have the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated, physically or mentally. It is forbidden for parents to hurt or mistreat the child in any way. The law forbids any form of discipline involving violence. Beating, hurting or mistreating child in other way can be punished by financial fine or with imprisonment.

If parents do not meet the children’s existential, emotional and social needs, the Centre for Social Work will warn them about their parental mistakes. If they decide that parents need help with the upbringing of their child, they will provide professional assistance. In that case, a professional might come to your house according to the agreement and give you advice and support.

If the child’s life or health are seriously in danger, the social services might temporarily place him/her outside the family. The child will then be provided with care in special and safe accommodation or a foster family until the risk or problem is resolved.

If children are severely or continuously mistreated and/or neglected, the court can decide to restrict parental rights or take away parental rights completely.

The Office of the Ombudsperson for Children and Centre for Social Work are in charge of protecting the rights of the child.

What if I get divorced?

A man or a woman can ask for a divorce if they do not want, for whatever reason, to stay married any longer. Divorce can happen if one or both partners want to end the marriage.

For spouses who want to get divorced and have underage children together, counselling in Centre for Social Work is obligatory. One of the purposes of the counselling is for spouses to agree on where children will live after the divorce, the time they will spend with each parent, how important decision in the interest of the child will be made etc.

Usually, after the divorce man and woman do not live together anymore. However, even if they do not live together, both parents have to continue taking care of the children they have together. Each parent has the right and obligation to spend time and create emotional relationships with their children.

Child custody means that the legal guardians, usually the parents, have legal responsibility for the child.

If a child does not have parents or parents lose their parental rights, the state appoints another adult person as legal guardian. Parents or other persons who are legal guardians have the right and obligation to care for the child, make decisions and act in the best interest of the child.

The law states that children must have legal guardians until they are 18 years old. If your child continues studying after the age of 18, you have to support him until he or she finishes school (but until the age of 26 maximum). If parents are divorced, this is usually the obligation of both parents.

The best option is that parents that divorce agree on custody of the children. If they cannot agree, the court will decide on the custody and which parent the child will live with. A parent, who does not live with the child any longer, will have to provide financially for the child. If parents cannot agree about financing the livelihood of the child, on where the child will live, it will be determined by the court during divorce proceedings.

Where to get help and support regarding family and parenting issues?

It is good to seek professional help if you have doubts and difficulties regarding family and parenting. Social workers, psychologists, school counsellors and other professions provide help and support.

If your child attends kindergarten or school, the easiest way is to talk privately with counsellors or teachers there. They will connect you to other services if needed.

You can also contact the social worker in the Centre for Social Work who will give you the information and connect you to the appropriate service.

There are many other providers of help and support, such as counselling services in non-profit organizations, where you can schedule and appointment and get help and support free of charge and without referral.

Link:

Convention on the Rights of the Child: http://www.varuh-rs.si/index.php?id=105&L=6