Human rights issues are being tackled too slowly in Slovenia, President of Slovenia dr. Danilo Tuerk said upon receiving the annual report for 2008 by Human Rights Ombudsman dr. Zdenka Cebasek - Travnik on Tuesday. In a separate meeting with the ombudsman, Prime Minister Borut Pahor also said the situation was not satisfactory.

Dr. Tuerk said he was most concerned with the issue of inciting intolerance. This is a problem that deserves attention of the state and due action, including legal prosecution, he noted.

According to the president, inciting intolerance and hate speech have spread in public lately, which calls for action in terms of both prevention and legal prosecution.

Pahor meanwhile said the report especially highlights the problems of children, the disabled and the elderly. He noted that the situation in the justice system was improving, but that the area was still the most critical one.

Dr. Cebasek - Travnik said after the meeting that another problematic group were people serving their prison sentences, where "there has been no progress for years".

This was also a point that dr. Tuerk focused on, saying that imposing sanctions should be based on well-weighed decisions. The president also said that in light of the current economic crisis a special attention should be given to the protection of economic and social rights.

Asked about the areas that have seen some progress, the ombudsman underlined the legislation from 2008, listing the family violence law, patients rights act and mental health act as the most important state-sponsored steps to protect the rights of the people.

Her biggest wish for this year is that the parliament passes a family law regulating the relations between parents and children, adoption, foster care and custody of minors.