Slovenia - November 2025

On 18 November, Parliament approved the ‘Šutar Law,’ expanding the use of surveillance and allowing police to enter property or vehicles without a court order in designated ‘security zones.’ The law has prompted criticism from rights groups over privacy concerns and fears of discrimination, arguing the law risks conflating ‘fighting crime with policing the Roma.’ Although the law does not explicitly target Roma areas, its criteria and context effectively link these zones to Roma neighbourhoods. The law follows Aleš Šutar’s fatal assault in Novo Mesto on 25 October, allegedly by a Roma suspect, which sparked mass protests. The incident led to the resignation of two ministers, amid criticism that justice and security institutions were ineffective in ensuring public safety. Their resignations aimed to ensure accountability after years of tensions and recent violent incidents, including a June attack on the mayor of Ribnica. The law enters into force in 2026, pending presidential approval.  

Sources: Euronews, European Roma Rights Centre, Roma Foundation for Europe, Slovenian Government (1), Slovenian Government (2), STA, The Guardian