Children's Access to Justice for Environmental Rights | Slovenia

This report looks at whether the laws and policies in Slovenia make it possible for children to access their environmental rights.

In Slovenia, the Constitution guarantees the right to a healthy living environment for everyone and provides for the obligation of any person who has damaged the environment to provide compensation. Constitutional rights protections have been applied by the courts in a number of cases, but no cases involved children specifically. In addition, Slovenia has established comprehensive environmental legislation.

Despite the existing constitutional and extra-constitutional protections, the population in some areas in Slovenia, including children, have been affected by the continued harmful effects of toxics. The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment stressed in 2022 the challenges that Slovenia faces in protecting the right to a healthy environment, such as toxic pollution.

Children under 15 are not able to take cases to Slovenian courts without a legal representative. Legal aid is available, but to receive legal aid a case must generally have good prospects. Slovenia has ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child and, according to the Constitution, it must be applied directly and laws and other regulations must comply with it. In the past, there have been spaces aimed at increasing awareness and encouraging children’s participation in policymaking and to give children the opportunity to express their views to decision makers. However, children face some practical limitations when it comes to influencing environmental matters such as the prohibition to lead organised public gatherings and events.

Slovenia has a rich environmental education system, including training for professionals on this matter, and the national curriculum for schools includes environmental education.

This report was published in July 2024 and finalised based on feedback by the State. To learn more read the full report below and please get in touch if this information was useful and you want to talk more.