Ljubljana – A coalition of non-governmental organizations, including Amnesty International, has filed an appeal to Slovenia’s Constitutional Court challenging the legality of the ‘Security Law,’ officially known as the Act on Urgent Measures to Ensure Public Security. The appeal centers on concerns that the law facilitates the disproportionate seizure of social assistance from vulnerable individuals, particularly within the Roma community.
The law, swiftly passed by the Slovenian parliament in November 2025, grants the Tax Office expanded powers to seize social benefits from individuals with at least three outstanding fines for minor offenses spanning the previous two years. Amnesty International and its partners argue the legislation violates fundamental rights and exacerbates existing inequalities.
According to data released in January, over 1,000 individuals and their families had their social assistance seized, leaving many struggling to afford basic necessities like food. Esther Major, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Research in Europe, described the law as “harmful” and warned it was being used to target communities already facing discrimination, exclusion, and poverty.
“Just months after coming into force, this harmful law is being used to target individuals and communities that already face daily discrimination, exclusion and poverty,” Major stated. “As predicted, these unjustified measures are disproportionately affecting Roma communities, violating their right to social security and leaving some families with no social support at all.”
A key concern raised by the Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy, the coalition behind the appeal, is the lack of limitations on the amount of social assistance that can be seized under the Security Law. Unlike standard enforcement procedures, the legislation does not establish safeguards to protect the most vulnerable citizens. This absence of limits significantly expands the Tax Authority’s powers and infringes upon individuals’ rights to social security, legal recourse, and privacy.
The appeal highlights that the law’s implementation has been marred by procedural irregularities. Centers for Social Work, organizations responsible for providing advice and assistance to social security recipients, were reportedly not notified of the January seizures, despite a requirement to be informed under the new legislation. Individuals often only discovered the seizure of their benefits when attempting to access them at the bank.
“Access to social assistance is a right for everybody, regardless of their circumstances, and should never be weaponised to penalize individuals, families or communities,” Major emphasized. She called on authorities to immediately halt enforcement of the punitive measures, restore social assistance to those affected, and amend the law to align with Slovenia’s human rights obligations.
The passage of the Security Law followed a fatal incident in Novo Mesto in November 2025, involving a member of the Roma community. A 21-year-old Romani man was arrested as the primary suspect in the death of Aleš Šutar, sparking a wave of violence and hate speech directed towards the Roma population. Critics contend the law was a hasty response to the incident, fueled by public outcry and lacking adequate consideration for its potential impact on vulnerable groups.
The Legal Network for the Protection of Democracy, comprised of four NGOs including Amnesty International Slovenia, prepared and filed the appeal. The organization argues the law’s provisions are inconsistent with Slovenia’s commitments under various international and regional human rights treaties, which guarantee an adequate standard of living and prohibit discrimination.
The Supreme Court of Slovenia also filed a motion with the Constitutional Court on , requesting a review of the constitutionality of provisions within the Security Law that extend the maximum length of pretrial detention from two to three years.
police announced on , the designation of two high-risk security zones in Ljubljana and Novo Mesto, granting them increased powers to monitor and collect data under the Security Act. This move has raised concerns about potential overreach and the erosion of civil liberties.
The Slovenian government, led by Prime Minister Robert Golob, maintains that the Act is preventative in nature and aims to address crime without targeting any specific ethnic group. However, advocacy groups remain skeptical, pointing to the law’s disproportionate impact on the Roma community and the lack of safeguards to prevent abuse.
The case underscores a broader debate within Slovenia and across Europe regarding the balance between security concerns and the protection of fundamental rights, particularly for marginalized communities. The Constitutional Court’s decision is expected to have significant implications for the future of social welfare policy and the treatment of vulnerable populations in Slovenia.
Amnesty International has issued an Urgent Action appeal regarding the situation, calling for immediate intervention to protect the rights of those affected by the Security Law. Further information is available through Amnesty International’s website.
