STA, 26 October 2021 - A study carried out by the Peace Institute has shown that Slovenia is facing extensive and active discrimination, mostly on the grounds of gender, ethnicity, nationality, skin colour and religion, while it is the most blatant at work, in access to housing, health and other services.
The analysis showed that a large proportion of the population in Slovenia experiences discrimination, as 84% of respondents have been discriminated against on the basis of at least one personal circumstance, said the Peace Institute.
Gender discrimination is the most common form, with women experiencing it significantly more than men, while virtually all non-binary persons and people of other genders have been discriminated against.
Discrimination is also very often experienced by people who are treated as foreigners under existing legislation and by the majority population. It is strongly present with applicants for international protection and refugees, who also report experiences of ethnic profiling by the police.
"People are stopped on the street while they are simply walking around, solely on the basis of their appearance, their skin colour and the status of a foreigner which they have been attributed as a result," the NGO explained.
Around three-quarters of those belonging to a national or ethnic minority in Slovenia have been discriminated against on the basis of their nationality or citizenship.
Persons of Orthodox or Islamic faith also reported experiencing discrimination on the basis of religion in more than 55% of cases.
Discrimination on grounds of skin colour, language and religion is often strongly linked to discrimination on grounds of nationality or citizenship, meaning that a person experiences at least two types of discrimination at the same time, the report adds.
The Peace Institute also drew attention to the persistent discrimination against the Roma population that is still very much present, especially in the fields of education and employment.
The situation has also worsened for Roma children during the closures of educational institutions, as their access to technology was hindered, and disparities deepened as a result.
This had a negative impact on their educational performance. Children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and children with special needs were also affected, said the NGO.
"A large proportion of people in the EU experience discrimination, inequality and social exclusion, which makes such data on equality an important tool for monitoring the implementation of legislation, policies to promote equality, and progress on the ground," it added.
The study was carried out between May and September 2021 and consisted of an online survey of 814 participants, 400 situational tests and 16 expert interviews.
