In 2024, too, Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina continues his visits to municipalities since he wishes to bring the institution of the Ombudsman closer to as many citizens as possible. On 12 January 2024, Ombudsman Svetina visited four municipalities in the Gorenjska region, where he met with their mayors and opened Ombudsman’s Corners. First, he met with the mayor of Bohinj, then the mayor of Gorje, Tržič, and finally the mayor of Naklo.

He talked with all of them about the challenges and most pressing issues they encounter in their work. The Ombudsman assured them that, within his jurisdiction, he will act with the bodies responsible. Every year, the Ombudsman receives several thousand letters and complaints in which individuals ask for help because they believe their rights have been violated. “These matters mostly pertain to the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the principles of good governance and equity. We pay special attention to the violation of children’s rights, rights of persons with disabilities, older people, foreigners, and other groups of inhabitants,” emphasised Ombudsman Svetina at his meetings with the mayors.

After every meeting, Ombudsman Svetina, accompanied by the mayors, opened and presented the Ombudsman’s Corner, which is equipped with a stand on which people can find useful information about the work of the Ombudsman in the form of leaflets and brochures as well as a complaint form. “The Ombudsman’s Corner gives us another opportunity to step closer to our citizens in their local environment and help them if they find themselves in distress or have trouble finding answers or clarifications from various institutions and bodies. Information is available not only in the digital form but also in print, since many people have problems navigating through the flood of information online,” explained Svetina.

He added that the Ombudsman’s Corners have been very well received at municipalities and that he has noticed an increase in complaints due to greater recognisability of the institution of the Ombudsman. “Ombudsman’s Corners have been set up in 55 municipalities so far and I am pleased that municipalities have started contacting us with a desire to set up an Ombudsman’s Corner at their location. I am aware of the fact that I will not be able to install an Ombudsman’s Corner in every municipality in Slovenia by the end of my term, yet I aim to do so in as many as possible. I am convinced that they contribute to people getting acquainted with our work and our competences and make it is easier for them to understand when they can turn to us and what kind of help we can offer them in the enforcement of their rights,” declared Ombudsman Svetina.