Slovenian Ombudsman Matjaz Hanzek met on Tuesday with U.N. Special Rapporteur on Disability Bengt Lindqvist, who is paying a visit to Slovenia. They were discussing about Slovenia's legislation on the protection of the disabled and about a full integration of the disabled into the society. Lindqvist also expressed his positive attitude about Ombudsman’s proposition to the commission for internal affairs to form a antidiscrimination programme on the national level.

Lindqvist said on Tuesday that his report on the country is to be very positive. According to Lindqvist, Slovenia's new legislation on the protection of the disabled is very progressive and more advanced than in other transition countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

Lindqvist first met with his host, Minister of Labour, Family and Social Affairs, Vlado Dimovski. He is also to meet with Luj Sprohar, director of the office for the ill and the disabled. On Monday, the U.N. rapporteur met with representatives of the associations of the disabled. He is to wrap up his visit on Wednesday when he is to hold a lecture in parliament.

SOURCE: Slovenian Press Agency, 12. 11. 2002