ASYLUM / INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION

The field of international protection is regulated in detail by the International Protection Act.

In Slovenia there are two statuses of international protection, namely refugee status or subsidiary protection. Refugee status is recognised to a person who provides justifiable and authentic proof that he or she is endangered in his or her home country due to race, religion, nationality, political beliefs or affiliation to a special social group. Subsidiary protection is granted to a person who does not meet the conditions for the recognition of refugee status but provides justifiable and authentic reasons that serious damage would be caused to him or her upon his or her return to the home country, including the death penalty or execution, torture or inhuman or degrading treatment as well as the punishment of the applicant in the country of origin and serious and individual threats against the life or freedom of the applicant due to indiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict.

The intention of filing an application for international protection can be communicated by the foreigner at a Slovenian diplomatic-consular mission, at a police station or to a police officer, or at the Asylum Home of the International Protection Division. The intention of filing an application for international protection can also be communicated to another state body. This body, however, needs to refer the applicant to the International Protection Division of the Ministry of the Interior or to the Asylum Home. In any event, the formal receipt of an application for international protection in the presence of an appropriate translator or interpreter is performed at the Asylum Home of the International Protection Division, where the applicant for international protection will be accommodated after the receipt of the application.

Persons with international protection have the right to:

obtain information on the status, rights and obligations of persons with international protection in the Republic of Slovenia;
* permanent residence in the Republic of Slovenia;
accommodation in the accommodation facilities of the Ministry;
financial compensation for private accommodation;
health care;
social security;
education;
employment and work;
assistance in the integration process.

* (persons with subsidiary protection have the right to temporary residence for a period of three years)

Obligations of persons with international protection:

compliance with the constitutional system, laws, rules and other general acts of the Republic of Slovenia as well as measures of state bodies;
they inform the bodies responsible for assistance in the integration into the environment about all changes that have an impact on the enforcement of rights and fulfilment of obligations within eight days, especially regarding:
- granted financial social assistance, income and other remuneration and property;
- the Slovenian language exam taken;
- successful schooling at all levels of education;
- employment;
- change of place of residence;
- change of personal name;
- change of marital status;
- granted citizenship of the Republic of Slovenia.

Aid programmes

Several programmes of non-governmental organisations intended for easier integration into life in Slovenia of persons with international protection are co-financed from the funds of the European Refugee Fund (ERF) on the basis of a tender.

Programme providers in 2010:

Slovenska filantropija (Slovene Philanthropy)

Ensuring creative spending of free time
Provision of learning aids

Andragoški zavod Maribor – Ljudska univerza (Institute for Adult Education – Peoples' University)

Promotion of intercultural dialogue in Maribor
Assistance in learning the Slovenian language in Maribor
Psychosocial assistance for vulnerable persons with special needs
Becoming better acquainted with Slovenian history, culture and its constitutional system
A training course for the improvement of employment opportunities in Maribor

Mens Mentis Murska Sobota