Representatives of national human rights institutions, including the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia, gathered in the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen, between 6 and 8 November 2023, at the 14th international conference of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) and focused on their role in preventing torture and other ill-treatment. “The exchange of experience between GANHRI members, collaboration, and networking are definitely an important added value to joint efforts for the protection of rights and fundamental freedoms of people which we have a mandate for. This is especially important in the light of many crisis areas around the world where torture and ill-treatment are already happening or in cases which through our work we reveal or prevent in the role of national preventive mechanisms,” emphasises Ombudsman Svetina.
In the name of the Slovenian national human rights institution, he discussed with his colleagues the experience in this field both in the local and international environments. He presented the rich experience of the Slovenian National Preventive Mechanism which, in accordance with the Optional Protocol against Torture and Other Ill-Treatment, visits institutions in which people are deprived of their liberty with the purpose of preventing torture and other ill-treatment. “The isolation of certain individuals from the outside world, for example in psychiatric institutions, secure wards of retirement homes, crisis centres for children and adolescents, and the like, is a key factor for the potential occurrence of various actions which are in opposition to human rights and fundamental freedoms,” stressed Ombudsman Svetina. As he said, he strives for the strengthening of the role of national human rights institutions and national preventive mechanisms, primarily relating to proactive warning against potential violations even before they happen and not only when discovering inadmissible practices.
He highlighted the commitment of the Slovenian national human rights institution to the enforcement of human rights, respect of human dignity, and preventing torture and other ill-treatment. “Always, but especially at a time of constant crisis and crisis centres around the world, the commitment to preserve the dignity of every man, for a life without ill-treatment, is crucial. That is because in relation to the authorities, the power of an individual is only as strong as the community is strong and committed to humanity that supports the individual, and how independently the supervisory bodies, including national human rights institutions, can operate. The basic rudiments of successful protection of individuals’ rights are always the commitment of the authorities, both on the local and national levels, to respect the rule of law and other democratic postulates,” added Ombudsman Svetina.
On the margins of the conference participants celebrated the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Principles and the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These two documents, among others, give the national human rights institutions the foundations for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to dignity and freedom from torture and other ill-treatment.
Ombudsman Svetina also met with representatives of the Danish Human Rights Institute and discussed the importance of implementing human rights in business and industry. He also visited the Slovenian Embassy in Copenhagen and met with the Ambassador, Mihael Zupančič.
In general, GANHRI as the global network provides a platform for the promotion of human rights and support for the operation of NHRI. It enables its members to exchange knowledge and support in numerous fields for the protection of people’s rights. In addition to GANHRI, the Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights (UPCHR), Danish Human Rights Institute (DIHR), and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) all played a part in preparing the conference in Copenhagen.
At the end of the conference, the GANHRI members adopted a declaration offering a selection of strategies for the promotion and protection of people from torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
