Controversial Security Law Passed After Fatal Incident
The Slovenian parliament has passed a contentious new security law, dubbed the 'Šutar law', granting police extensive powers to conduct raids and surveillance in designated 'high-risk' areas. The legislation was introduced by Prime Minister Robert Golob following a tragic incident where Aleš Šutar was killed in an altercation with a 21-year-old Roma man outside the LokalPatriot club in Novo Mesto last month.
Police Powers and Public Backlash
The Act on Urgent Measures to Ensure Public Security allows police to enter properties without a court order in designated 'security-risk areas' when deemed necessary to seize firearms. Authorities can also deploy technical means including drones and licence plate recognition systems where lives or property are considered at risk.
Despite being watered down before Monday's midnight vote, the law retains controversial clauses that have drawn sharp criticism from human rights organisations. Mensur Haliti, vice-president of the Roma Foundation for Europe, condemned the legislation as discriminatory, stating it "treats an entire minority as a security threat".
Political Context and International Implications
The legislation comes ahead of crucial national elections in March, where Golob's centre-left Freedom party faces a strong challenge from the right-wing nationalist Slovenian Democratic party led by former prime minister Janez Janša. A Mediana survey for RTV Slovenia revealed over 60% of respondents support the government's security response.
Haliti has called on the European Commission to examine the law's terms, warning that "a union that allows fear to become policy at home cannot lecture its neighbours about democracy and the rule of law". A left-wing coalition of political parties refused to participate in parliamentary proceedings, describing the measures as repressive.
