This is the second in a series of five commemorative postage stamps dedicated to the protection of human rights. To mark the release of the stamp, the Human Rights Ombudswoman, Dr Simona Drenik Bavdek, said: 'Through these stamp designs, we wish to convey the message that anyone who believes their human rights or fundamental freedoms have been violated by state authorities, local self-government bodies, or holders of public authority can turn to the Human Rights Ombudsman.'

At the Human Rights Ombudsman's initiative, Pošta Slovenije has issued five commemorative stamps of different denominations and designs. The selected motifs were illustrated by graphic designer Svetlana Milijašević. The stamps are available at post offices throughout Slovenia and in the Pošta Slovenije online shop.

The €1.30 stamp features the theme 'Prohibition of Discrimination' (see the second image). Article 14 of the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia states that all people are equal before the law. No one may be treated less favourably than another person in a comparable situation on the grounds of race, ethnic origin, sex, language, disability, religion or any other personal circumstance.

'The prohibition of discrimination derives from the principle of equal treatment, which is one of the fundamental principles underpinning the protection of human rights.' Discrimination violates human dignity and limits equal participation in society. It may also occur where seemingly neutral rules or practices place certain groups of people at a particular disadvantage without objective, legitimate and proportionate justification," explains the Human Rights Ombudswoman.

Alongside prohibiting discrimination, it is equally important to remove barriers and create conditions that ensure everyone has equal access to public services, education, employment, and other public resources. Discrimination may be direct, whereby a person is treated less favourably because of a personal circumstance, or indirect, whereby apparently neutral rules or practices place certain groups at a particular disadvantage.

Further information on how and when to contact the Human Rights Ombudsman is available via the following link: Home - Varuh človekovih pravic.