Ombudsman Matjaz Hanzek was satisfied that the role of the ombudsman's office had strengthened as he talked to the press upon the office's 10th anniversary. A a great deal still remains to be done, though, he added.
Hanzek is convinced that the office of ombudsman has helped many people solve their troubles in recent years, while an improvement can also been seen in the attitude of state institutions.
With every year, according to Hanzek, the parliament has become more prompt in examining the ombudsman's annual reports, while the government, which used to ignore the reports, is taking a stance on almost every office's conclusion.
Outlining the office's work over the past decade, Hanzek said that issues that were pressing ten years ago, for example denationalisation, have given place to other topics, such as increasing discrimination against minority groups.
In order to face the new challenges, the office took a decision, already backed by the parliament, to set up a department tasked with detecting all forms of discrimination and intolerance. The office has also appointed a team tasked with protection of children's rights.
The ombudsman's office was introduced with the Slovenian Constitution, adopted in 1991. Three years later, Ivan Bizjak was appointed the country's first ombudsman. He formally assumed office in 1995, when the Council for Protection of Human Rights and Basic Freedoms was dissolved.
A series of events will mark the office's anniversary between 9 and 30 December, including a photo and video exhibition on the cases of intolerance in recent years and the screening of a documentary featuring testimonies of discrimination victims.