Slovenia ratified the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against torture (OPCAT) by an Act (a so-called Ratification Act ) adopted by the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia on 29th September 2006. It entered into force on 1st January 2007.
The Ratification Act is a declarative confirmation that Slovenia will not allow torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment or treatment. It also represents the continuation of Slovenian cooperation in the international community, setting up effective supervisory and preventive mechanisms with regards to certain human rights and fundamental freedoms. With the ratification, Slovenia has fulfilled its general obligation under provisions of the UN Convention against Torture .
Article 3 of the Ratification Act states, that the Ministry of Justice is responsible for the implementation of the OPCAT. This means that the Ministry of Justice is primarily responsible for the legislation in the field of preventing torture and ill-treatment. Such regulation is in accordance with Article 4 of the UN Convention against Torture.
Article 5 of the Ratification Act states, that the tasks and powers of the NMP shall be performed by the Human Rights Ombudsman, and in agreement with him, also by the NGOs that are registered in the Republic of Slovenia, and organizations that have acquired the status of a humanitarian organization.
