On 3 September 2024, Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina, as the first Slovenian Ombudsman, was elected president of the Mediterranean Association of Ombudsmen (Association of Mediterranean Ombudsmen), which unites ombudsman institutions with different responsibilities in relation to authorities, but with a common goal – to effectively protect and promote human rights in the Mediterranean. Peter Svetina, vice president and member of the board of directors since May 2023, succeeded the Greek Ombudsman Dr Andreas Pottakis. Despite the fact that his mandate as the Slovenian Ombudsman expires in February 2025, 19 of the 26 member states that can vote gave him support.

Upon his election, Ombudsman Svetina thanked the members for their trust, which he also understands as recognition of the commitment, work, and visibility of the institution of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia in the international arena.

In his role as president of the Association, he will strive to strengthen the mission that transcends borders and differences: "The Mediterranean region is unique, it is a mix of different cultures, languages, and history. But despite this diversity, we are united by common values ​​– care for justice, equality, and respect for the dignity of every person. We come from different backgrounds, with specific challenges, responsibilities and tasks, but concern for respecting the rule of law, strengthening democracy and ensuring social justice unites and connects us".

Svetina has made improving access to justice for everyone, especially the most vulnerable groups such as the elderly, migrants, children, the disabled, refugees, and others, among his key priorities. In their daily work, ombudsmen meet many people whose rights have been grossly violated and whose dignity has been trampled upon. "Every person deserves to be heard, protected, and respected," emphasises Svetina, who, also in his role as president of the Mediterranean Association of Ombudsmen, will strive to make public institutions more respectful of the principle of good governance and act in accordance with their obligations to residents Mediterranean. "I always bet on the power of dialogue, on persistence, and sometimes even stubbornness, because it is difficult for me to accept that something cannot be done, so I will transfer these same principles to my work as president of the Mediterranean Association of Ombudsmen," he summed up his thoughts on his election.

Since, in his opinion, many democratic gains in many places in the region and beyond are being put to great tests, it is especially important to strengthen the immune system in society – independent supervisory institutions that control the implementation of social rules, so that the dignity of every citizen is respected, and their rights and fundamental freedoms are respected. Work in the area of ​​strengthening the role of ombudsman organisations and national human rights institutions is therefore crucial, according to Svetina, because only strong institutions that are independent of the bodies they supervise can perform their tasks effectively.  

Otherwise, the newly elected president also announced that he will advocate for environmental justice, which he sees as inextricably linked to human rights: "Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time, and this is especially felt in the Mediterranean. Living in a clean, orderly, and healthy environment is a basic human right, so decisive climate action at all levels is essential. For changes for the better, we need the inclusive cooperation of decision-makers at the international, national, and local levels, in the economy, and with the wider professional and lay public, while strengthening education about the importance of a climate-conscious community. In the centre of national or international politics, it is necessary to appoint a person whose first concern must be green recovery," Peter Svetina also believes, and he will advocate that the Association devote special attention to this topic.

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