II. Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
Article 14. Equality before the Law
In Slovenia everyone shall be guaranteed equal human rights and fundamental freedoms irrespective of national origin, race, sex, language, religion, political or other conviction, material standing, birth, education, social status, disability or any other personal circumstance.
All are equal before the law.
Article 15. Exercise and Limitation of Rights
Human rights and fundamental freedoms shall be exercised directly on the basis of the Constitution.
The manner in which human rights and fundamental freedoms are exercised may be regulated by law whenever the Constitution so provides or where this is necessary due to the particular nature of an individual right or freedom.
Human rights and fundamental freedoms shall be limited only by the rights of others and in such cases as are provided by this Constitution.
Judicial protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the right to obtain redress for the violation of such rights and freedoms, shall be guaranteed.
No human right or fundamental freedom regulated by legal acts in force in Slovenia may be restricted on the grounds that this Constitution does not recognise that right or freedom or recognises it to a lesser extent.
Article 16. Temporary Suspension and Restriction of Rights
Human rights and fundamental freedoms provided by this Constitution may exceptionally be temporarily suspended or restricted during a war and state of emergency. Human rights and fundamental freedoms may be suspended or restricted only for the duration of the war or state of emergency, but only to the extent required by such circumstances and inasmuch as the measures adopted do not create inequality based solely on race, national origin, sex, language, religion, political or other conviction, material standing, birth, education, social status or any other personal circumstance.
The provision of the preceding paragraph does not allow any temporary suspension or restriction of the rights provided by Articles 17, 18, 21, 27, 28, 29 and 41.
Article 17. Inviolability of Human Life
Human life is inviolable. There is no capital punishment in Slovenia.
Article 18. Prohibition of Torture
No one may be subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment. The conducting of medical or other scientific experiments on any person without his free consent is prohibited.
Article 19. Protection of Personal Liberty
Everyone has the right to personal liberty.
No one may be deprived of his liberty except in such cases and pursuant to such procedures as are provided by law.
Anyone deprived of his liberty must be immediately informed in his mother tongue, or in a language which he understands, of the reasons for being deprived of his liberty. Within the shortest possible time thereafter, he must also be informed in writing of why he has been deprived of his liberty. He must be instructed immediately that he is not obliged to make any statement, that he has the right to immediate legal representation of his own free choice and that the competent authority must, on his request, notify his relatives or those close to him of the deprivation of his liberty.
Article 20. Orders for and Duration of Detention
A person reasonably suspected of having committed a criminal offence may be detained only on the basis of a court order when this is absolutely necessary for the course of criminal proceedings or for reasons of public safety.
Upon detention, but not later than twenty-four hours thereafter, the person detained must be handed the written court order with a statement of reasons. The person detained has the right to appeal against the court order, and such appeal must be decided by a court within forty-eight hours. Detention may last only as long as there are legal reasons for such, but no longer than three months from the day of the deprivation of liberty. The Supreme Court may extend the detention a further three months.
If no charges are brought by the end of these terms, the suspected person shall be released.
Article 21. Protection of Human Personality and Dignity
Respect for human personality and dignity shall be guaranteed in criminal and in all other legal proceedings, as well as during the deprivation of liberty and enforcement of punitive sanctions.
Violence of any form on any person whose liberty has been restricted in any way is prohibited, as is the use of any form of coercion in obtaining confessions and statements.
Article 22. Equal Protection of Rights
Everyone shall be guaranteed equal protection of rights in any proceeding before a court and before other state authorities, local community authorities and bearers of public authority that decide on his rights, duties or legal interests.
Article 23. Right to Judicial Protection
Everyone has the right to have any decision regarding his rights, duties and any charges brought against him made without undue delay by an independent, impartial court constituted by law.
Only a judge duly appointed pursuant to rules previously established by law and by judicial regulations may judge such an individual.
Article 24. Public Nature of Court Proceedings
Court hearings shall be public. Judgements shall be pronounced publicly. Exceptions shall be provided by law.
Article 25. Right to Legal Remedies
Everyone shall be guaranteed the right to appeal or to any other legal remedy against the decisions of courts and other state authorities, local community authorities and bearers of public authority by which his rights, duties or legal interests are determined.
Article 26. Right to Compensation
Everyone has the right to compensation for damage caused through unlawful actions in connection with the performance of any function or other activity by a person or body performing such function or activity under state authority, local community authority or as a bearer of public authority.
Any person suffering damage has the right to demand, in accordance with the law, compensation also directly from the person or body that has caused damage.
Article 27. Presumption of Innocence
Any person charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until found guilty in a final judgement.
Article 28. Principle of Legality in Criminal Law
No one may be punished for an act which had not been declared a criminal offence under law, or for which a penalty had not been prescribed, at the time the act was performed.
Acts that are criminal shall be established and the resulting penalties pronounced according to the law that was in force at the time the act was performed, save where a more recent law adopted is more lenient towards the offender.
Article 29. Legal Guarantees in Criminal Proceedings
Anyone charged with a criminal offence must, in addition to absolute equality, be guaranteed the following rights:
- the right to have adequate time and facilities to prepare his defence;
the right to be present at his trial and to conduct his own defence or to be defended by a legal representative; the right to present all evidence to his benefit; the right not to incriminate himself or his relatives or those close to him, or to admit guilt.
Article 30. Right to Rehabilitation and Compensation
Any person unjustly convicted of a criminal offence or deprived of his liberty without due cause has the right to rehabilitation and compensation, and other rights provided by law.
Article 31. Prohibition of Double Jeopardy
No one may be sentenced or punished twice for the same criminal offence for which criminal proceedings were dismissed finally, or for which the charge was finally rejected, or for which the person was acquitted or convicted by final judgement.
Article 32. Freedom of Movement
Everyone has the right to freedom of movement, to choose his place of residence, to leave the country and to return at any time.
This right may be limited by law, but only where this is necessary to ensure the course of criminal proceedings, to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, to protect public order or if the defence of the state so demands.
Entry into the country by aliens, and the duration of their stay in the country, may be limited on the basis of law.
Article 33. Right to Private Property and Inheritance
The right to private property and inheritance shall be guaranteed.
Article 34. Right to Personal Dignity and Safety
Everyone has the right to personal dignity and safety.
Article 35. Protection of Right to Privacy and Personality Rights
The inviolability of the physical and mental integrity of every person, his privacy and personality rights shall be guaranteed.
Article 36. Inviolability of Dwellings
Dwellings are inviolable.
No one may, without a court order, enter the dwelling or other premises of another person, nor may he search the same, against the will of the resident.
Any person whose dwelling or other premises are searched has the right to be present or to have a representative present.
Such a search may only be conducted in the presence of two witnesses.
Subject to conditions provided by law, an official may enter the dwelling or other premises of another person without a court order, and may in exceptional circumstances conduct a search in the absence of witnesses, where this is absolutely necessary for the direct apprehension of a person who has committed a criminal offence or to protect people or property.
Article 37. Protection of the Privacy of Correspondence and Other Means of Communication
The privacy of correspondence and other means of communication shall be guaranteed.
Only a law may prescribe that on the basis of a court order the protection of the privacy of correspondence and other means of communication and the inviolability of personal privacy be suspended for a set time where such is necessary for the institution or course of criminal proceedings or for reasons of national security.
Article 38. Protection of Personal Data
The protection of personal data shall be guaranteed. The use of personal data contrary to the purpose for which it was collected is prohibited.
The collection, processing, designated use, supervision and protection of the confidentiality of personal data shall be provided by law.
Everyone has the right of access to the collected personal data that relates to him and the right to judicial protection in the event of any abuse of such data.
Article 39. Freedom of Expression
Freedom of expression of thought, freedom of speech and public appearance, of the press and other forms of public communication and expression shall be guaranteed. Everyone may freely collect, receive and disseminate information and opinions.
Except in such cases as are provided by law, everyone has the right to obtain information of a public nature in which he has a well founded legal interest under law.
Article 40. Right to Correction and Reply
The right to correct published information which has damaged a right or interest of an individual, organisation or body shall be guaranteed, as shall be the right to reply to such published information.
Article 41. Freedom of Conscience
Religious and other beliefs may be freely professed in private and public life.
No one shall be obliged to declare his religious or other beliefs.
Parents have the right to provide their children with a religious and moral upbringing in accordance with their beliefs. The religious and moral guidance given to children must be appropriate to their age and maturity, and be consistent with their free conscience and religious and other beliefs or convictions.
Article 42. Right of Assembly and Association
The right of peaceful assembly and public meeting shall be guaranteed.
Everyone has the right to freedom of association with others.
Legal restrictions of these rights shall be permissible where so required for national security or public safety and for protection against the spread of infectious diseases.
Professional members of the defence forces and the police may not be members of political parties.
Article 43. Right to Vote
The right to vote shall be universal and equal.
Every citizen who has attained the age of eighteen years has the right to vote and be elected.
The law may provide in which cases and under what conditions aliens have the right to vote.
The law shall provide measures for encouraging the equal opportunity of men and women in standing for election to state authorities and local community authorities.
Article 44. Participation in the Management of Public Affairs
Every citizen has the right, in accordance with the law, to participate either directly or through elected representatives in the management of public affairs.
Article 45. Right to Petition
Every citizen has the right to file petitions and to pursue other initiatives of general significance.
Article 46. Right to Conscientious Objection
Conscientious objection shall be permissible in cases provided by law where this does not limit the rights and freedoms of others.
Article 47. Extradition
No citizen of Slovenia may be extradited or surrendered unless such obligation to extradite or surrender arises from a treaty by which, in accordance with the provisions of the first paragraph of Article 3a, Slovenia has transferred the exercise of part of its sovereign rights to an international organisation.
Article 48. Asylum
Within the limits of the law, the right of asylum shall be recognised for foreign nationals and stateless persons who are subject to persecution for their commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Article 49. Freedom of Work
Freedom of work shall be guaranteed.
Everyone shall choose his employment freely.
Everyone shall have access under equal conditions to any position of employment. Forced labour shall be prohibited.
Article 50. Right to Social Security
Citizens have the right to social security, including the right to a pension, under conditions provided by law.
The state shall regulate compulsory health, pension, disability and other social insurance, and shall ensure its proper functioning.
Special protection in accordance with the law shall be guaranteed to war veterans and victims of war.
Article 51. Right to Health Care
Everyone has the right to health care under conditions provided by law.
The rights to health care from public funds shall be provided by law.
No one may be compelled to undergo medical treatment except in cases provided by law.
Article 52. Rights of Disabled Persons
Disabled persons shall be guaranteed protection and work-training in accordance with the law.
Physically or mentally handicapped children and other severely disabled persons have the right to education and training for an active life in society.
The education and training referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be financed from public funds.
Article 53. Marriage and the Family
Marriage is based on the equality of spouses. Marriages shall be solemnised before an empowered state authority.
Marriage and the legal relations within it and the family, as well as those within an extramarital union, shall be regulated by law.
The state shall protect the family, motherhood, fatherhood, children and young people and shall create the necessary conditions for such protection.
Article 54. Rights and Duties of Parents
Parents have the right and duty to maintain, educate and raise their children. This right and duty may be revoked or restricted only for such reasons as are provided by law in order to protect the child’s interests.
Children born out of wedlock have the same rights as children born within it.
Article 55. Freedom of Choice in Childbearing
Everyone shall be free to decide whether to bear children.
The state shall guarantee the opportunities for exercising this freedom and shall create such conditions as will enable parents to decide to bear children.
Article 56. Rights of Children
Children shall enjoy special protection and care. Children shall enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms consistent with their age and maturity.
Children shall be guaranteed special protection from economic, social, physical, mental or other exploitation and abuse. Such protection shall be regulated by law.
Children and minors who are not cared for by their parents, who have no parents or who are without proper family care shall enjoy the special protection of the state. Their position shall be regulated by law.
Article 57. Education and Schooling
Freedom of education shall be guaranteed.
Primary education is compulsory and shall be financed from public funds.
The state shall create the opportunities for citizens to obtain a proper education.
Article 58. Autonomy of Universities and Other Institutions of Higher Education
State universities and state institutions of higher education shall be autonomous.
The manner of their financing shall be regulated by law.
Article 59. Freedom of Science and the Arts
The freedom of scientific and artistic endeavour shall be guaranteed.
Article 60. Intellectual Property Rights
The protection of copyright and other rights deriving from artistic, scientific, research and invention activities shall be guaranteed.
Article 61. Expression of National Affiliation
Everyone has the right to freely express affiliation with his nation or national community, to foster and give expression to his culture and to use his language and script.
Article 62. Right to Use One’s Language and Script
Everyone has the right to use his language and script in a manner provided by law in the exercise of his rights and duties and in procedures before state and other bodies performing a public function.
Article 63. Prohibition of Incitement to Discrimination and Intolerance and Prohibition of Incitement to Violence and War
Any incitement to national, racial, religious or other discrimination, and the inflaming of national, racial, religious or other hatred and intolerance are unconstitutional.
Any incitement to violence and war is unconstitutional.
Article 64. Special Rights of the Autochthonous Italian and Hungarian National Communities in Slovenia
The autochthonous Italian and Hungarian national communities and their members shall be guaranteed the right to use their national symbols freely and, in order to preserve their national identity, the right to establish organisations and develop economic, cultural, scientific and research activities, as well as activities in the field of public media and publishing. In accordance with laws, these two national communities and their members have the right to education and schooling in their own languages, as well as the right to establish and develop such education and schooling. The geographic areas in which bilingual schools are compulsory shall be established by law. These national communities and their members shall be guaranteed the right to foster relations with their nations of origin and their respective countries. The state shall provide material and moral support for the exercise of these rights.
In order to exercise their rights, the members of these communities shall establish their own self-governing communities in the geographic areas where they live. On the proposal of these self-governing national communities, the state may authorise them to perform certain functions under national jurisdiction, and shall provide funds for the performing of such functions.
The two national communities shall be directly represented in representative bodies of local self-government and in the National Assembly.
The position of the Italian and Hungarian national communities and the manner in which their rights are exercised in the geographic areas where they live, the obligations of the self-governing local communities for the exercise of these rights, and those rights which the members of these national communities exercise also outside these areas, shall all be regulated by law. The rights of both national communities and their members shall be guaranteed irrespective of the number of members of these communities.
Laws, regulations and other general acts that concern the exercise of the constitutionally provided rights and the position of the national communities exclusively, may not be adopted without the consent of representatives of these national communities.
Article 65. Status and Special Rights of the Romany Community in Slovenia
The status and special rights of the Romany community living in Slovenia shall be regulated by law.
