On 20 June 2023, Ombudsman Peter Svetina presented the 28th Regular Annual Report of the Ombudsman and the 15th Report of the National Preventive Mechanism to the Prime Minister, Dr Robert Golob, and briefed him on the current state of affairs and the most pressing problems perceived by the institution of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia.

He pointed out that the number of complaints and cases dealt with in 2022 was similar to the pre-pandemic period but noted that individuals are in an increasingly difficult situation, from which it is too often difficult for them to emerge, as measures that would instil hope are too often absent, too slow or too vague.

He told the Prime Minister that in 2022, the Ombudsman's institution had dealt with 5,975 cases, including 3,026 complaints, and had found 222 violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms or other irregularities, most of them in the sector of the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. He also said that he had made 83 new recommendations, expressing concern that more than 100 previous recommendations were still outstanding.

"Although our recommendations are not legally binding, they are no less important," said Ombudsman Svetina, who stressed that recommendations are the most important tool of independent monitoring institutions for the protection of human rights, and their implementation shows the level of democracy and commitment to the values of respect for human rights and dignity in an individual country. In his view, a more consistent and faster implementation of the Ombudsman's recommendations can make an important contribution to raising the level of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all people.

"This is the country's way of following up on the commitments it has made - including in the area of the rule of law. No society can count on real progress by simply referring to human rights, without the determination to enforce them," adds Peter Svetina.

He expressed his expectation to the Prime Minister that all his recommendations would be implemented and that the independent position of the Ombudsman institution would continue to be respected, including in the area of the placement of the Ombudsman's officials in the appropriate salary grades. In the opinion of Ombudsman Svetina, any other treatment would undermine the position of the institution and its mission, which is the independent, objective, transparent, and impartial protection of the rights of citizens in relation to state authorities, local self-governing bodies, and holders of public powers.

Summary of the work of the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia for 2022