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Ombudsman Svetina and his Greek colleague: “Peace, democracy, the rule of law and human rights need our ceaseless commitment”

Peter Svetina, the human rights ombudsman, is hosting the Greek ombudsman, Dr Andreas I Pottakis, the regional president for Europe at the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), on an official visit. His official visit to Slovenia is further evidence of the excellent relations between their two institutions, and recognition of the work of Slovenia’s human rights ombudsman at the international level. Dr Pottakis met the leadership of the institution in Slovenia, for discussions on the constitutional foundation of their respective institutions, the process of lodging requests to assess the constitutionality of legislation, and the issues that people bring to the institutions. They highlighted the importance of the work of all institutions in line with the international standards of human rights, and the strengthening of the position of the ombudsman at the national and international levels. Attention was focused too on tasks in connection with the national preventive mechanism. The Greek ombudsman was also received by President Borut Pahor.

“Working together enriches us, and raises awareness that we are all part of the same Europe and that we are working for the good of the people, that we are their voice, particularly for all the marginalised and discriminated-against,” said Mr Svetina during the visit. He also said that spreading a culture of dialogue and upholding human rights at the national, regional and international levels was the joint commitment of the two institutions. “Recent events, most notably Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic, have shown that respect for human rights can never be taken for granted, and that peace, democracy, the rule of law and human rights need our ceaseless commitment,” he reiterated. He noted that one of the principles of the European Union is that human rights are an essential element linking all EU policies, and in his opinion they should be a guide for all decision-makers. He therefore took the opportunity to note that at the proposal of the European Commission, the Council of the European Union adopted the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024 in November 2020, setting out the priorities and main areas of action during this period, namely protecting and empowering individuals, building resilient, inclusive and democratic societies, promoting a global system for human rights and democracy, harnessing the opportunities and addressing the challenges of new technologies, and delivering by working together.

During his visit Dr Pottakis said that the institution of the Human Rights Ombudsman in Slovenia has, through its actions and results, sovereignly shared its experience and practice with other ombudsman institutions, and is a highly respected partner and sought-after collaborator in the international environment. No little confirmation of this comes from Mr Svetina’s unanimous election to be one of the seven directors at the regional level for the IOI, where he plays an important role. The IOI brings together more than 200 ombudsman organisations from all over the world, including Slovenia.

In the background of the visit was a meeting of the Nafplion Group, which was created at the initiative of the Greek ombudsman and certain other ombudsman institutions and national preventive mechanisms in Council of Europe member-states. The focus of the talks, in which Mr Svetina and his deputy Ivan Šelih took part, was the challenges in monitoring forced returns within Frontex. Conversation also turned to police conduct with regard to foreign nationals crossing European borders. The participants reiterated their commitment to a human approach to all people in all fields.

In the informal part of their time together Mr Svetina and his Greek colleague visited Bled, where they were received by the mayor, Janez Fajfar, and Brda, where they met local figures including the mayor, Franc Mužič.

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