Roma in Slovenia

Roma came to the Balkans in the 13^th century and have lived there ever since. Roma have always been viewed by others as second class and faced discrimination and prejudice. During Tito’s rule, Roma were in a relatively better position than before or after. Soma Roma have always lived in Slovenia, some came during communist rule to work, and some were displaced by the 1990s wars.

Authorities have taken steps in recent years to improve the situation of the Roma. This includes projects aiming at the integration of the Roma in spheres such as housing and education; these projects are more often developed with Roma participation. Differences from locality to locality, with some local authorities resisting to make improvements and in some Roma, especially non-autochthonous Roma, are in particularly bad socio-economic position.

Despite improvements, poverty is widespread among Roma. Roma are excluded from different aspects of social and economic life, including employment, housing and education. Some estimates put Roma unemployment at 80 per cent (Advisory Committee’s on the Framework Convention Opinion on Slovenia). Such high unemployment is for a range of reasons, including inadequate education and hidden discrimination. Access to housing is problematic with many Roma in substandard conditions, including informal settlements. Access to education is problematic, with children participating in primary education, if at all. The practice of putting Roma children in schools for children with special needs is being tackled at the central level, but in some cases it persists and within mainstream schools children are put in special study groups, which get inferior instruction.

Roma participation in public life is limited. More action needs to be taken to support Roma culture, particularly through allocated funding for cultural activities, inclusion of Roma contribution to Slovenia in the curricula, and teaching of Roma language.