The new Human Rights Ombudswoman Dr. Simona Drenik Bavdek, is convinced that the Ombudsman is an institution whose task is to remind the state authorities that humanity is the measure of justice. Human rights are one of the most important achievements of civilization and a shared value of society as a whole. They are universal, inalienable, and indivisible, belonging to everyone regardless of their personal circumstances. That is why they must be actively protected, strengthened, developed, and awareness of them must be spread.

At today's session on February 3 2026, the members of the National Assembly elected Dr. Simona Drenik Bavdek as the new Human Rights Ombudswoman with 62 votes in favor. Upon her election, she expressed her gratitude for the trust and support shown by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Nataša Pirc Musar, by those who nominated her candidacy, and by the Members of Parliament who supported the proposal. “I understand this trust as a responsibility to the institution, and above all to the people and the constitutional values on which our democratic community is founded,” she said.

Dr. Drenik Bavdek emphasized that, within the system of checks and balances, the Ombudsman provides individuals with informal protection of human rights, which is free of charge, anonymous, and confidential. She reminded us that human rights cannot be taken for granted. "The Ombudsman is not an authoritative body; its power lies in the power of argument. Almost a year without leadership of the institution with a full mandate has clearly shown how important it is for the Ombudsman institution to have a stable and independent mandate. The time we live in requires a strong, independent, and proactive human rights institution that responds effectively and swiftly to contemporary challenges: from the impact of the climate crisis, artificial intelligence and digital technologies, to disinformation and growing polarization, to structural inequalities, the need for better accessibility of public services and long-term care. The Ombudsman must be an institution that responds to these challenges professionally, promptly, decisively and with an eye to the future," she said upon her election, stressing that it is the Ombudsman’s task to persist in upholding human rights as the standard for every public decision, even in the most complex social circumstances.

"The Ombudsman is the voice of the people, of all those whose human rights and fundamental freedoms have been or are being violated, that is civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as so-called third- and fourth-generation human rights. In dialogue with the state, the Ombudsman makes proposals, gives opinions and offers criticism. It also makes recommendations for redressing injustices and to implement international and constitutional human rights standards. Violations of rights cause suffering, increase administrative and institutional burdens, deepen social tensions and also have tangible financial consequences. Therefore, I will devote all my energy and knowledge to ensuring that, under my leadership, the Ombudsman's institution performs its tasks actively, professionally and with a clear commitment to its independent function,” emphasized the new Human Rights Ombudswoman.

Dr. Drenik Bavdek also stresses that she will pay special attention to the implementation of international human rights standards into the Slovenian legal order, in particular the conventions of the Council of Europe and all eight core international instruments adopted within the framework of the United Nations, to which Slovenia is a party.

She will also advocate for the establishment of a children's rights ombudsman in Slovenia, who would be able to operate autonomously within the Ombudsman's institution. She aims to strengthen the Ombudsman's activities in the areas of awareness-raising, education, and training on human rights, more systematic monitoring of the rule of law, assessment of the human rights impacts of legislative proposals and the submission of requests for constitutional and legality review to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia if the competent authorities do not give due consideration to the Ombudsman’s recommendations and warnings.