On the constitutional level discrimination on all personal grounds is prohibited by Article 14 of the Constitution. In 2009 the Constitutional Court confirmed that the Constitution prohibits discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation as well, although this ground is not specifically listed in the Constitution. Slovenia ratified all main human rights treaties concerning discrimination, most recently Protocol No. 12 to the European Convention of Human Rights.

The national legislation regulates prohibition of discrimination in all areas required by the directive 2000/34/EC (including both private and public sector) for all personal grounds (and not only for the grounds of race and ethnicity).

This means that discrimination is prohibited in access to employment, to self-employment and to occupation, selection criteria, recruitment conditions, promotion; vocational and professional education and training (including advanced), and retraining, practical work experience; employment and working conditions, dismissals and pay; as well as membership of and involvement in an organization of workers or employers, or other professional organization, including the benefits.

In accordance with the Act Implementing the Principle of Equal Treatment, the Advocate of the Principle of Equality started working in 2005 within the Government Office for Equal Opportunities. The mandate of the Advocate is to examine discrimination complaints on all protected grounds in all areas of social life, provide assistance to victims and issue recommendations. The procedure is informal and free of charge. The Advocate does not have investigative powers and cannot impose misdemeanour fees in cases of violations. If the perpetrator does not comply with the Advocate’s recommendations, the Advocate can only refer the case to the competent inspectorate.