EditRoma community in Slovenia plans protest against seizures of cash social assistance
Organisers demand halt to enforcement under controversial 'Šutar Law' amid reports of extreme hardship and eviction risks
Members of Slovenia’s Roma community have announced a protest for Tuesday afternoon in Novo Mesto to oppose the ongoing seizures of cash social assistance by the Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (FURS). The demonstration, expected to draw 100 to 300 participants from across the country, will take place at the city’s Main Square.
The event is organized by the association “Stand Up Roma Child” (Društvo Vstani romski otrok), based in Murska Sobota, with its president, Matej Domijan, serving as the main spokesperson. In statements to the Slovenian Press Agency (STA), Domijan explained that the protest aims to highlight the severe difficulties many Roma families now face due to these enforcement measures. He described how seizures have left people without any income, forcing reliance on humanitarian organisations for basic needs. Those living in rented housing are particularly vulnerable, as unpaid rent threatens eviction – at a time when securing rental accommodation is already challenging for many in the community.
The seizures stem from the implementation of the so-called “Šutar Law” (Act on Urgent Measures for Ensuring Public Security), enacted in late 2025 amid heightened public safety concerns following incidents involving Roma individuals in southeast Slovenia (notably in Novo Mesto). The legislation, passed as part of a broader omnibus security package, allows FURS to enforce unpaid fines and debts – including misdemeanor penalties – directly against debtors’ income sources. Critically, it permits the seizure of cash social assistance for individuals with at least three unpaid misdemeanor claims over the past two years.
FURS began issuing enforcement decisions after the New Year 2026, targeting around 8,500 debtors nationwide. While the law applies broadly, Roma representatives and human rights groups argue it disproportionately affects vulnerable, low-income communities like the Roma, who often rely heavily on social benefits due to high unemployment, discrimination, and limited access to formal employment or housing. Critics, including Amnesty International and the European Roma Rights Centre, have condemned the measures as potentially discriminatory, punitive, and contrary to human rights standards – risking further marginalization rather than addressing root causes of poverty or crime. The law has sparked accusations of collective punishment and violations of principles like non bis in idem (no double jeopardy for the same offense).
At the upcoming protest, participants plan to demand either a complete halt to the law’s enforcement on social assistance or significant reforms to protect minimum living standards. Domijan emphasized a broader message: “We will show that we are also people and that we want to work, and that all the negative things circulating about Roma are not true.” The organizers aim to humanize the community and counter stereotypes amid ongoing social tensions in Slovenia.
The Municipality of Novo Mesto approved the gathering after the association supplemented its application as required. No immediate official reactions from the government or FURS were reported in connection with the announcement, though earlier debates around the Šutar Law highlighted divisions: supporters framed it as necessary for public order and debt recovery, while opponents warned of deepening poverty and social exclusion.
This protest comes against the backdrop of Slovenia’s persistent challenges in Roma integration, including substandard living conditions in informal settlements, limited access to education and jobs, and recurring controversies over policing and welfare policies. Human rights organizations continue to monitor the situation, calling for dialogue and alternatives that prioritize support over punitive enforcement.
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Caption: Tensions in Novo Mesto are persisting. Photo: Novo mesto Municipal Corporation
Updated: February 5, 2026 - 16:40
