E/C.12/SVN/CO/2
with only one employed parent. The Committee is also concerned at regional disparities in
poverty levels, with the eastern and south-eastern regions being most affected by poverty
(art. 11).
While drawing attention to its statement on poverty and the International Covenant
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (2001), the Committee recommends that the
State party address the increasing risk of poverty faced in particular by members of
disadvantaged and marginalized groups, and effectively implement a social protection
strategy with the aim of better addressing the regional disparities in poverty levels
that affect the equal enjoyment of the Covenant’s rights.
Adequate housing for Roma
21.
The Committee is concerned that only about one third of Roma settlements are
legalized, meaning that the majority of Roma who live in informal settlements are
vulnerable to forced eviction, including in Trata pri betonarni, Mestni Log, Loke and
Dobruska settlements. The Committee is further concerned that Roma living in informal
settlements cannot obtain access to basic services such as water, electricity and sanitation.
In addition the Committee expresses its concern that most Roma live in segregated areas
characterized by substandard housing, and encounter discrimination when trying to buy or
rent housing in other areas (arts. 2, para. 2, 11 and 12).
The Committee recommends that the State party, while taking into account its general
comment No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate housing:
(a)
Prioritize the legalization of Roma settlements, or work out other
solutions in genuine consultation with the Roma communities concerned;
(b)
Pursue its commitment, as indicated during the dialogue, not to carry
out forced evictions of Roma, and enact legislation governing forced evictions which
complies with international standards and is in line with the Committee’s general
comment No. 7(1997) on forced evictions;
(c)
Ensure that Roma communities in informal settlements enjoy access to
basic services, such as water, electricity and sanitation, in accordance, inter alia, with
the recommendations set forth by the Governmental Commission on Roma in 2011,
which requested municipalities to provide water to Roma;
(d)
Take effective measures to end segregation of Roma communities, and
prevent acts of discrimination against Roma attempting to buy or rent housing outside
their segregated areas,
(e)
Facilitate access to social housing for Roma.
Access to social housing and housing for persons with disabilities
22.
The Committee is concerned that, under the Housing Act, citizens of non-European
countries are not eligible to access social housing in the State party, and that in practice
refugees do not enjoy access to social housing. The Committee also expresses its concern
that, owing to insufficient accessible housing available for persons with disabilities, they
are often placed in institutions (arts. 2, para. 2, and 11).
The Committee urges the State party to repeal any discriminatory provisions from the
Housing Act, and expedite the process of adopting a housing policy that addresses,
inter alia, access to social housing by all residents without discrimination and the
special housing needs of persons with disabilities. The State party should also adopt
and implement regulations under the Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with
Disabilities Act, which also aim to facilitate housing to persons with disabilities.
7