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Varuh človekovih pravic

SLOVENIA

A NEW CORPORATE IMAGE OF THE INSTITUTION

The Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia has a new corporate image. It was designed with the intention of enhancing communication, which is the primary activity of the ombudsman, and to facilitate greater recognisability of the institution, while most importantly emphasising its independence from, at the same time as its involvement in, the state structure. Until now the main symbol of the ombudsman has been the state crest, which despite what is now seven years of operation by this institution, has caused confusion over its position within the state apparatus.

Recognisability is essential given the need to reach clearly and concisely various target groups, including groups with relatively little awareness of human rights, to whom the ombudsman intended to devote greater attention upon taking office. And in the wide-ranging international communication, recognisability of the institution plays a major role. The logo is composed of the state crest, the symbol of the ombudsman and wording underneath. The symbol represents two hands, which protect individuality, or an eye, watching over the work of state and other bodies and over violations of human rights. The wording under the symbol expresses the ombudsman's ethical nature: there are not great or small rights &#8211; all of them are equal and they must all be protected. The selected colour scheme is simple (blue on a yellow background for the ombudsman and blue on a white background for employees) and pleasing to the eye, and the intention was particularly to avoid any kind of lurid advertising colours. The corporate image works both on the visual and, with the choice of paper, also on the tactile senses.

The intention was primarily to approach communication with a variety of groups in all due responsibility and seriousness. The image is a kind of garment for the institution, its packaging, which without proper substance does not function, but it enables enhanced and clear communication.

The ombudsman selected the team for production of the corporate image based on his conviction that diversity enriches, and that we should know how to make use of the potentials offered both by local people and also by those who come here from elsewhere. The head of the project is Miroslav Nune Popović, who a few years ago patented the concept of the creative resistance against Milošević, which was successfully carried out in the nineties by the Serbian student movement Otpor. The image designer is Darko Miladinović, who has also left his creative mark in the offices of Prime Minister Drnovšek, while consultation and design of the 2001 Annual Report was provided by the professor of design and graphics at the Ljubljana Fine Arts Academy, Zdravko Papič.

OMBUDSMAN SUBMITTED REPORT FOR PREVIOUS YEAR

On 15 June Human Rights Ombudsman Matjaž Hanžek submitted his Annual Report 2001 to the President of the National Assembly Borut Pahor. He presented the substance of the report on the respect of human rights in Slovenia for 2001 at a special press conference. The President of the parliament stated that the National Assembly would debate the ombudsman's report during the autumn session.

A day later Ombudsman Hanžek also submitted a copy of the report to the President of Slovenia, Milan Kučan, and to the Prime Minister, Janez Drnovšek. In separate conversations they touched upon certain issues that were especially highlighted in the report.

The ombudsman familiarised President Kučan with the problems encountered in performing his duties. According to the ombudsman's findings, there have been positive shifts in the resolving of certain issues, but key issues that were also pointed out by the National Assembly in September of last year during the debate on the ombudsman's reports for 1999 and 2000 remain unresolved.

Meeting the Prime Minister Drnovšek the ombudsman observed in particular that people are insufficiently informed about where they should turn to in order to resolve their problems. He also pointed out the problems in both judicial and administrative procedures, as well as the problems deriving from the lack of implementing regulations.

OMBUDSMAN: "US PROPOSAL IS COUNTER TO DECLARATION "

The Human Rights Ombudsman Matjaž Hanžek addressed a letter to the Slovenian government and the foreign affairs ministry in connection with the proposal from the United States that it sign with Slovenia a bilateral agreement whereby the signatories would grant each other mutual immunity from the International Criminal Court.

He stated that the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights convinced him that the proposal of the United States of America to certain countries, including Slovenia, is counter to the foundations of human rights.

For this reason he expect the government of the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will reject such a request.

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

At the beginning of October on the annual meeting of ENOC (the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children http://www.ombudsnet.org) the Slovenian Human Rights Ombudsman&#8217;s office was officially announced as a new member. In opinion of the ombudsman Hanžek an international approach to children&#8217;s rights would make an effective contribution to resolving problems within Slovenia, and at the same time it would present Slovenia as a country which by caring for the welfare of its youngest members was also ensuring the foundations of a healthy society.

Over the last year the selected staff of the office has been dealing in some depth with the protection of children&#8217;s rights. A special attention has been devoted to the area of abuse, violence and discrimination. The ombudsman will also be striving for a more serious social debate on these subjects when the 2001 annual report is to be read in the autumn, and would appeal to representatives of the Slovenian Parliament to take an active role.

On the a press conference in May the ombudsman responded to media reports on three cases of suspected sexual abuse at schools. He pointed out that sexual abuse or even the suspicion of sexual abuse must be appropriately dealt with as a matter of urgency. He appealed to parents to listen to their children and to take them seriously, and for children not to fear the consequences at school (revenge on children, low grades and so forth).

He appealed to the Ministry of Education to devote even more attention to the uncovering of such cases, to activate schools inspectors and give precise guidelines to head teachers about uncovering such phenomena and how to deal with them. At the same time it is essential to be aware of the presumed innocence of a suspected person and to avoid stigmatising teachers, he stressed. The ombudsman called on the Ministry of the Interior to intensify its work in the area of uncovering sexual abuse and to provide additional training for crime investigation officers who work in this area (with the emphasis on interviewing victims). He also stressed that in providing public information it was essential to be consistent in observing the principle of innocence (of the suspect) and in protecting the integrity of the victim.

In cooperation with UNICEF, the Polish ombudsman for children held a seminar from 24 to 26 June for children's ombudsmen and the representatives of &#8220;general&#8221; ombudsmen covering the area of children&#8217;s rights, from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The purpose of the meeting was to present the working methods in the participant countries, to define key problems and define the possibility of further (co)operation. The meeting was also attended by the independent adviser and adviser to the ombudsman Dr. Polona Selič and Martina Jenkole, who are empowered within the ombudsman&#8217;s office for children&#8217;s rights.

The article on the website can be reached at:
http://www.varuh-rs.si/cgi/teksti-eng.cgi/Show?_id=warsaw-26_6_2002

Varuh človekovih pravic

SLOVENIA

A NEW CORPORATE IMAGE OF THE INSTITUTION

The Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia has a new corporate image. It was designed with the intention of enhancing communication, which is the primary activity of the ombudsman, and to facilitate greater recognisability of the institution, while most importantly emphasising its independence from, at the same time as its involvement in, the state structure. Until now the main symbol of the ombudsman has been the state crest, which despite what is now seven years of operation by this institution, has caused confusion over its position within the state apparatus.

Recognisability is essential given the need to reach clearly and concisely various target groups, including groups with relatively little awareness of human rights, to whom the ombudsman intended to devote greater attention upon taking office. And in the wide-ranging international communication, recognisability of the institution plays a major role. The logo is composed of the state crest, the symbol of the ombudsman and wording underneath. The symbol represents two hands, which protect individuality, or an eye, watching over the work of state and other bodies and over violations of human rights. The wording under the symbol expresses the ombudsman's ethical nature: there are not great or small rights – all of them are equal and they must all be protected. The selected colour scheme is simple (blue on a yellow background for the ombudsman and blue on a white background for employees) and pleasing to the eye, and the intention was particularly to avoid any kind of lurid advertising colours. The corporate image works both on the visual and, with the choice of paper, also on the tactile senses.

The intention was primarily to approach communication with a variety of groups in all due responsibility and seriousness. The image is a kind of garment for the institution, its packaging, which without proper substance does not function, but it enables enhanced and clear communication.

The ombudsman selected the team for production of the corporate image based on his conviction that diversity enriches, and that we should know how to make use of the potentials offered both by local people and also by those who come here from elsewhere. The head of the project is Miroslav Nune Popoviæ, who a few years ago patented the concept of the creative resistance against Miloševiæ, which was successfully carried out in the nineties by the Serbian student movement Otpor. The image designer is Darko Miladinoviæ, who has also left his creative mark in the offices of Prime Minister Drnovšek, while consultation and design of the 2001 Annual Report was provided by the professor of design and graphics at the Ljubljana Fine Arts Academy, Zdravko Papič.

 

OMBUDSMAN SUBMITTED REPORT FOR PREVIOUS YEAR

On 15 June Human Rights Ombudsman Matjaž Hanžek submitted his Annual Report 2001 to the President of the National Assembly Borut Pahor. He presented the substance of the report on the respect of human rights in Slovenia for 2001 at a special press conference. The President of the parliament stated that the National Assembly would debate the ombudsman's report during the autumn session.

A day later Ombudsman Hanžek also submitted a copy of the report to the President of Slovenia, Milan Kučan, and to the Prime Minister, Janez Drnovšek. In separate conversations they touched upon certain issues that were especially highlighted in the report.

The ombudsman familiarised President Kučan with the problems encountered in performing his duties. According to the ombudsman's findings, there have been positive shifts in the resolving of certain issues, but key issues that were also pointed out by the National Assembly in September of last year during the debate on the ombudsman's reports for 1999 and 2000 remain unresolved.

Meeting the Prime Minister Drnovšek the ombudsman observed in particular that people are insufficiently informed about where they should turn to in order to resolve their problems. He also pointed out the problems in both judicial and administrative procedures, as well as the problems deriving from the lack of implementing regulations.

OMBUDSMAN: "US PROPOSAL IS COUNTER TO DECLARATION "

The Human Rights Ombudsman Matjaž Hanžek addressed a letter to the Slovenian government and the foreign affairs ministry in connection with the proposal from the United States that it sign with Slovenia a bilateral agreement whereby the signatories would grant each other mutual immunity from the International Criminal Court.

He stated that the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights convinced him that the proposal of the United States of America to certain countries, including Slovenia, is counter to the foundations of human rights.

For this reason he expect the government of the Republic of Slovenia, and the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will reject such a request.

PROTECTION OF CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

At the beginning of October on the annual meeting of ENOC (the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children http://www.ombudsnet.org) the Slovenian Human Rights Ombudsman’s office was officially announced as a new member. In opinion of the ombudsman Hanžek an international approach to children’s rights would make an effective contribution to resolving problems within Slovenia, and at the same time it would present Slovenia as a country which by caring for the welfare of its youngest members was also ensuring the foundations of a healthy society.

Over the last year the selected staff of the office has been dealing in some depth with the protection of children’s rights. A special attention has been devoted to the area of abuse, violence and discrimination. The ombudsman will also be striving for a more serious social debate on these subjects when the 2001 annual report is to be read in the autumn, and would appeal to representatives of the Slovenian Parliament to take an active role.

On the a press conference in May the ombudsman responded to media reports on three cases of suspected sexual abuse at schools. He pointed out that sexual abuse or even the suspicion of sexual abuse must be appropriately dealt with as a matter of urgency. He appealed to parents to listen to their children and to take them seriously, and for children not to fear the consequences at school (revenge on children, low grades and so forth).

He appealed to the Ministry of Education to devote even more attention to the uncovering of such cases, to activate schools inspectors and give precise guidelines to head teachers about uncovering such phenomena and how to deal with them. At the same time it is essential to be aware of the presumed innocence of a suspected person and to avoid stigmatising teachers, he stressed. The ombudsman called on the Ministry of the Interior to intensify its work in the area of uncovering sexual abuse and to provide additional training for crime investigation officers who work in this area (with the emphasis on interviewing victims). He also stressed that in providing public information it was essential to be consistent in observing the principle of innocence (of the suspect) and in protecting the integrity of the victim.

In cooperation with UNICEF, the Polish ombudsman for children held a seminar from 24 to 26 June for children's ombudsmen and the representatives of “general” ombudsmen covering the area of children’s rights, from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The purpose of the meeting was to present the working methods in the participant countries, to define key problems and define the possibility of further (co)operation. The meeting was also attended by the independent adviser and adviser to the ombudsman Dr. Polona Selič and Martina Jenkole, who are empowered within the ombudsman’s office for children’s rights.

The article on the website can be reached at:
http://www.varuh-rs.si/cgi/teksti-eng.cgi/Show?_id=warsaw-26_6_2002