On January 21, 2026, more than 1,000 people and their families in Slovenia lost access to vital social support. Without this assistance, many cannot afford food, rent, or other basic needs. Some have been pushed into poverty and homelessness.
The government took this step under the so-called “Security Law,” passed in November 2025. The law allows authorities to cut off social assistance for people who have three or more unpaid fines for minor offences within two years. This measure punishes people by taking away the support they rely on to survive.
These changes have had a harmful and unequal impact on Roma communities in Slovenia. Roma people already face deep and ongoing discrimination in jobs, housing, education, and other areas of life. Cutting social support makes these inequalities worse.
Amnesty International is calling on the Slovenian authorities to stop enforcing these punitive measures right away. The government must amend the law so it respects Slovenia’s human rights obligations and protects everyone’s right to an adequate standard of living.
Here’s what you can do:
Write to the Prime Minister of Slovenia urging him to:
- Immediately stop enforcing these punitive measures.
- Restore social assistance to all affected individuals and families.
- Amend the Act so it complies with Slovenia’s human rights obligations.
Write to:
Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Robert Golob
Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia
Gregorčičeva ulica 20–25
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
Email: [email protected]
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister,
And copy:
His Excellency Andrej MEDICA
Ambassador
Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia
150 Metcalfe Street, Suite 2200
Ottawa, ON K2P 1P1
Tel: (613) 565-5781, -5782/850-0897 (24h) Fax: (613) 565-5783
Email: [email protected]
A Law Passed After Anti-Roma Rhetoric
On November 18, 2025, Slovenia’s Parliament adopted the Act on Urgent Measures to Ensure Public Security, known as the “Security Law.” The law allows the Tax Authority to seize social assistance from people who have three unpaid fines for minor offences within two years.
Lawmakers introduced the Act after a fatal incident involving a Roma individual. Politicians and media outlets used the incident to portray the Roma community as a security threat. This harmful narrative created pressure to pass the law quickly.
Fewer Safeguards, More Harm
The Act removes important safeguards. It expands the powers of the Tax Authority, police, and courts.
Unlike other enforcement rules, this law sets no clear limits on how much can be taken from a person’s social assistance. Authorities can deduct funds without protecting the minimum amount people need to survive.
The government rushed the law into force in January 2026. It did not put measures in place to protect people at risk. For example, it failed to alert Centres for Social Work so they could provide in-kind support to prevent destitution.
A Violation of the Right to Social Security
Slovenia is bound by international human rights law. Article 9 of the UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights protects the right to social security.
This right helps ensure an adequate standard of living. The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has made clear that social security is essential to other rights, including the rights to food, housing, health, and life.
By allowing authorities to seize social assistance without limits, the Act breaches these obligations.
Roma Communities Face Ongoing Discrimination
Roma communities in Slovenia already face systemic discrimination. Many live in substandard housing and lack access to basic services such as water and electricity. Roma children also face barriers in education.
Amnesty International has documented this marginalization for years. The Security Law deepens these inequalities. It puts Roma individuals and families at immediate risk of severe poverty and social exclusion.
Please take action as soon as possible until August 10, 2026. The UA will be duly updated should there be the need for further action.