Slovenia
- Generally
- Excerpt from the questionnaire
- Contacts
Generally
No steps as to establishing the National Rapporteur have been taken to date, which is mainly due to the fact that no such need has been expressed. Currently, the coordinator has met the expectations.In the text below, replies to questions related to National Rapporteur shall reflect the role of the National Coordinator.
The National Anti-Trafficking Coordinator was appointed by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia back in 2002. The Coordinator is tasked with aligning the work of different governmental sectors and NGOs whose representatives are members of the Interdepartmental Working Group for the fight against trafficking in persons. Other responsibilities include preparation of annual reports and other strategic documents that are submitted to the Government of the RS for approval. Both the Coordinator and the Interdepartmental Working Group function as consultative authorities with no executive powers.
The National Coordinator convenes in meetings with the Interdepartmental Working Group every two months. Group members include representatives of national NGOs and operational services such as the Police and the Office of the State Prosecutor General. Regular items on the agenda include operational activities in the field of detection and prosecution of trafficking offences and assistance to trafficked victims offered by two national NGOs. Having been selected in a public tender procedure, the two NGOs are financed through government budget. The NGOs keep the National Coordinator posted on their activities on a monthly basis. If needed, the Coordinator gets involved in resolving concrete cases.
The National Coordinator is employed with the Ministry of the Interior which also provides premises and equipment (IT, office space etc.) The only aspect that needs mentioning is lack of technical, administrative and professional support. Each and every duty is performed by the National Coordinator itself.
One of the advantages is that the National Coordinator works in close cooperation with the law-enforcement authority (the Police) which is a body attached to the Ministry. This enables the Coordinator to access data with less effort as well as to resolve individual cases faster and with greater success. Given that the Coordinator is appointed by the Government, its dependency on the Government is self-evident. However, the National Coordinator and the Interdepartmental Working Group do not restrain themselves from making critical comments on the work of individual line ministries and shall recommend action to remedy such deficiencies.
Both the National Coordinator and the Interdepartmental Working Group are not entitled to special funds from the Government itself. They are financed through line ministries. Other anti-trafficking projects are carried out by NGOs which will receive funds after they have been selected in a public tender procedure. NGO projects are outlined in anti-trafficking action plans drawn up by the Coordinator and the Interdepartmental Working Group and adopted by the Government. Action plans define financial value of projects and sources of funding. By adopting an action plan, the Government makes sure that fund providers remain responsible and meet their commitments.
Both the National Coordinator and the Interdepartmental Working Group function as consultative authorities with no executive powers. Recommendations are actually conclusions of the Interdepartmental Working Group and definitions of responsibilities defined in the action plan which become obligatory after the Government's approval of plan.
Excerpt from the questionnaire
The following is an excerpt from the questionnaire:
9. What are the main tasks and responsibilities of the National Rapporteur in your country?
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9.1. Monitoring and analyses of the situation, trends and possible threads.
One of Coordinator's primary tasks is to supervise the implementation of action plan which contains concrete anti-trafficking activities. -
9.2. Collection of data on THB.
Collecting THB data requires considerable effort due to several problems such as inconsistent sources of information, handling of cases with a considerable time delay, possible redefinition of criminal act etc. Still, all relevant information on THB phenomena is collected annually.-
9.2.1. There is a central collection of a statistical data on THB and the data is received from various stakeholders.
Yes.-
9.2.1.1. If yes, please provide information on the nature of the stakeholders. (E. g. Ministry of Justice, Police, Labour Inspectors, Embassies, NGOs, etc.).
Information regarding THB crimes and perpetrators is provided by the Police. The Office of the State Prosecutor General collects and submits data on advanced criminal procedures (indictments filed, investigations taking place, redefinitions of criminal offences, dropped cases and clearance rates (decisions of convictions or acquittal). NGOs provide figures related to victims that have been assisted and taken care of. Further, the Employment Office of the Republic of Slovenia provides information on work permits issued to workers in risk-related professions (bar dancers, construction industry, catering). Slovenian consular and representative posts abroad may also provide relevant information.
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9.3. Coordination of anti-trafficking activities on a national level.
As stated above, one of National Coordinator's principal tasks is to provide guidance and coordination of activities in the field. -
9.4. National Reports.
Yes.-
9.4.1. Annual reports.
The National Coordinator and the Interdepartmental Working Group issue annual reports related to anti-THB activities. Each line of ministry participates in harmonizing the report which is adopted by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia. All reports are posted on-line. -
9.4.2. Reports based on a longer period. Please describe period length and state why this specific period of time was chosen.
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9.5. Preparation and evaluation of the National Action Plans.
As mentioned before, the main role of the National Coordinator and the Interdepartmental Working Group is preparation of action plans. So far action plans have covered the following periods: 2004 – 2006, 2007 and 2008-2009.-
9.5.1. To whom are the above mentioned documents submitted?
Action plans are submitted for harmonization to individual lines of ministry, governmental services and NGOs . -
9.5.2. Who approves these documents?
Each line of ministry participates in harmonizing the plan which is adopted by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia. -
9.5.3. Who enforces the actions stipulated by the documents?
All action plan projects have exact timing and some of them have financial specifications. Each activity depends on its holder - the responsible line of ministry or NGO.
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9.6. International cooperation in the majority of the above mentioned areas.
Clearly, international cooperation is very important. Politically speaking, Slovenia's standpoints related to THB are represented by the Ministry of the Interior. Professional and strategic representation is vested in the National Coordinator, while international events are attended by IWG members depending on their competence. Both the Police and the Office of the State Prosecutor General cover THB topics in their international cooperation and operational activities. Also, NGOs associate in international cooperation networks. Considering experience to date, Slovenia's involvement in international activities has been satisfactory.
Contacts
Contacts:
M. Sc. Sandi Čurin, Undersecretary, Ministry of the Interior
Phone; ++386 1 4285849
Mob; ++386 41 317694
e-mail; sandi.curin@gov.si