January 21, 2018
The STA reports January 21, 2018, that the opposition Democrats (SDS) plan to restrict Slovenia's asylum legislation, secure the border against illegal migration and ban the burka and niqab in public if they win the general election later this year.
The party set out the plans in its alternative government programme in the field of home affairs under the slogan We Will Protect Slovenia.
The party finds Prime Minister Miro Cerar's actions in the field of security inadequate, pledging that their government would provide more security to the citizens and better protect their property.
Arguing that uncontrolled migrations in recent years seriously undermined the security situation in Europe, the SDS says Slovenia "cannot shut its eyes to the growing risk of terrorist attacks".
The party pledges to consistently implement the Schengen border regime on the border with Croatia and to prevent illegal crossings.
The border would be patrolled by the police in cooperation with the Slovenian Armed Forces, and if necessary with the help of corresponding international units.
The requirements for claiming asylum would be stiffened and the time it takes to processing them would be reduced. Asylum would be granted for a specific period, after which eligibility would be re-examined.
Aside from rights, those who obtain asylum would also get "contractual obligations", and if committing a criminal offence the person granted asylum would be immediately deported.
The party argues that Slovenia needs to take a more restrictive approach to its asylum and migration policies, following the model of countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland.
The SDS also plans to ban the burqa and the niqab in public places.
It would amend the penal code to introduce harsh punishments for any form of cooperation, recruitment or aid benefiting terrorists, terrorist groups or countries.
Financing of foreign groups or organisations would be placed under oversight and if necessary banned. The organisations supporting or advocating terrorist or criminal acts in any way would also be banned.
The SDS also announced measures aimed at depoliticising the work of the police force in criminal matters and normalising its conditions in order to improve the security situation and restore people's trust.
The plan is to ban all secret regulations and place police work under the supervision of relevant oversight commissions.
The party also plans to reduce red tape and thus enable police officers to focus on their principle task of protecting people and their property.
