Article 9 of the Ombudsman Act (ZVarCP-UPB2) provides that anyone who considers that an act of an authority violates his or her human rights or fundamental freedoms may initiate proceedings before the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman may also initiate proceedings on his/her own initiative. The Ombudsman may also deal with broader issues of importance for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms and for the legal security of citizens in the Republic of Slovenia. The Ombudsman therefore deals primarily with petitions from people who come to him or her convinced that their rights have been violated by the authorities. The Ombudsman deals with petitions in various areas, and pays special attention to the rights of certain more vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, the disabled and others. Every year, the Ombudsman is contacted by around 6 000 to 7 000 people, half of whom submit a petition that meets all the legal requirements and can be dealt with by the Ombudsman.