SLOVENIA IS a candidate for a seat for 2016-18 on UNHRC, which is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 states responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe.

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement from the US today said that Slovenia should take care of its most disadvantaged Roma population and stop human rights violations reportedly suffered by them in its own backyard before seeking to promote and protect human rights around the globe as a UNHRC member.

Slovenia needed to show strong political will to bring Roma at par with rest of the population by providing them with better health and education avenues, higher economic opportunities, sources of empowerment and participation, etc. Available Roma workforce, if utilized effectively, could bring unexpected economic gains to Slovenia, Zed added.

Zed said that all religions and denominations in Slovenia, especially the majority Roman Catholic Church, should also come out in support of the cause of this distinct ethnic and cultural group of Roma, because religion taught us to help the helpless.

One of the greenest countries in the world, pint-sized Slovenia is known for spectacular mountains, sunflowers covered plains, hills full of grapevines, Lake Bled and Gothic churches. Lonely Planet has described it as “a mouse that roars”. Danilo Turk and Janez Jansa are President and Prime Minister respectively of Republic of Slovenia.