Reducing and eliminating discrimination based on ethnicity, ‘race’, nationality and/or religion
Different definitions of discrimination exist, from general (social exclusion of individuals or groups) to legal (unequal treatment of an individual or group with respect to other individuals and groups on the basis of personal circumstances prohibited by law) and sociological definitions (a form of social practice derived from prejudices and stereotypes that are deeply rooted in the culture of a particular society, which results in formal or informal forms of segregation, marginalization or social exclusion of individuals or groups). In the Republic of Slovenia, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is ensured by the Constitution and granted to everyone regardless of nationality, “race”, gender, language, religion, political or other belief, material status, birth, education, social status, disability or any other personal circumstance. Since the constitution protects against discrimination only formally, several laws have been adopted in recent years, and incitement to discrimination is punishable by the Penal Code.
Despite these legal bases, research data show that the level of discrimination in Slovenia is high. In order to deal with discrimination effectively, adequate research data is needed, yet – as pointed out by many international and European organizations, the lack of up-to-date information makes it particularly difficult to identify groups and individuals who are subject to discrimination. The reports especially highlight the problematic position of the Roma, the erased and the members of minorities from the former Yugoslavia, which confirms that the area of discrimination based on ethnic origin, “race”, nationality and/or religion is the most relevant and sensitive issue for Slovenia. As a consequence, the creation of appropriate policies that should be derived from the data is also often hindered. Namely, there is a strong hesitation on the side of the authorities regarding the collection of disaggregated equality data for vulnerable groups due to the law on the protection of personal data. Therefore, the project addresses the following problem areas:
- There is insufficient transparent, disaggregated and credible information on the existence of discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, ‘race’, nationality and religion.
- There are not enough proven cases of discrimination available.
- It is necessary to empower experts and institutions to recognize and act against discrimination.
- It is essential to continuously raise the awareness of the professional and general public.
AIMS
1) On the basis of a situation analysis from available resources to specify the areas of life which are more likelly to spur discrimination based on ethnicity, nationality, “race” and/or religion, and to formulate a methodology for acquiring qualitative and quantitative data directly from persons with a personal circumstance of ethnicity, nationality, “race” and/or religion.
2) To carry out situational testing and other quantitative and qualitative methods of research, obtain quality data from the field and verify the existence of discrimination for persons with a personal circumstance of ethnicity, nationality, “race” and/or religion in the following areas of life: work and employment, social and health care, education, access to goods and services, access to housing.
3) To inform experts about the results of the research project and to empower them to draft proposals and measures to eliminate discrimination based on the personal circumstances of ethnicity, nationality, “race” and/or religion.
4) To inform the general public about the results of the research project and to empower people to recognize discrimination based on the personal circumstances of ethnicity, nationality, “race” and/or religion, as well as to act on individual level.