On June 3, 4, and 5, 2026, the Special Preventive Group conducted a monitoring visit to the Tbilisi Mental Health Center (LLC). The purpose of the visit was to assess the situation regarding the protection of patients in the psychiatric inpatient facility from ill-treatment. Furthermore, the assessment examined whether patients have access to legal safeguards, medical care, and other services, and evaluated whether the conditions of their accommodation align with international and national standards.

The monitoring revealed that the problems within the facility are directly linked to systemic and root-level issues, which require the State to take effective remedial action. At the same time, certain issues were identified that could be addressed through the efforts of the facility's administration.

Consequently, this report presents recommendations tailored to the facility, the implementation of which will improve the protection of the rights of patients residing in the inpatient facility.

No one should be forced to live in an institution simply because the state does not provide them with the support they need to live in the community. The right to live independently is not a privilege, but a human right. In recent years, Slovenia has made significant strategic and legislative commitments in the field of deinstitutionalisation, but these do not, in themselves, change people’s lives. The state must therefore adopt all the necessary secondary legislation as soon as possible and ensure the practical conditions for people with disabilities to live in the community. All of this was highlighted by the Human Rights Ombudsman, Dr Simona Drenik Bavdek, at the conference ‘30 Years of the Struggle for Human Rights – From Institutions to the Community’, which took place in Brežice on 14 October 2026.

During the discussion ‘Human Rights Under Scrutiny – Violence, Responsibility and Deinstitutionalisation’, the Ombudswoman emphasised that Slovenia had taken significant steps forward with the adoption of the Strategy of the Republic of Slovenia for Deinstitutionalisation in Social Care 2024–2034 and the amendment to the Social Care Act. However, the adoption of the law does not yet mean that individuals actually have the opportunity to live differently. Without appropriate secondary legislation, accessible community support services, trained and adequately paid staff, and stable funding, the rights enshrined in the legislation will remain difficult to realise.

“The essence of deinstitutionalisation is a shift in the balance of power: individuals must be given greater say over their own lives,” she emphasised. She added that a smaller residential unit does not in itself constitute community living if institutional methods of decision-making and restrictions on an individual’s independence are maintained within it.

The Ombudsman therefore warned that the success of deinstitutionalisation must not be measured solely by the number of people relocated or the number of institutional places closed. The true measures are quality of life, the degree of independence, the actual ability to make decisions, and the individual’s inclusion in the community. A system in which a person must adapt to the rules of an institution must be replaced by support that adapts to their needs, wishes and choices, she said.

She also pointed out that it is important for accommodation and the provision of support services to be separate: “A person must be able to change their support provider without risking the loss of their home as a result.”

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 19 of which guarantees the right to live independently and be included in the community. This right must not depend on the types of accommodation available to the state. The state must create the conditions for people to actually exercise this right, which includes access to housing, appropriate social and health services, and support tailored to the individual.

The transition from institutional care to community-based living also requires a fundamental overhaul of existing institutions. Their knowledge and experience must be channelled into providing support outside the institutional setting, and staff must be properly trained in different approaches, the Ombudswoman added. She also emphasised that effective mechanisms must be put in place to prevent violence, abuse, neglect and unjustified restrictions on freedom.

She pointed out that prejudice and resistance from the local community can also be a significant obstacle to the realisation of the right to live in the community. The Ombudsman had already drawn attention to this in connection with the planned deinstitutionalisation in Divača and issues relating to the Dom na Krasu care home. “The right to live in the community cannot depend on whether or not the local community accepts a particular group of residents. Therefore, in addition to systemic changes, there is also a need for systematic awareness-raising, thoughtful communication and the involvement of local communities. Above all, people with disabilities must be actively involved in the drafting of legislation, policies and decisions that affect their lives,” emphasised the Ombudsman, Dr Simona Drenik Bavdek.

The Ombudswoman also reiterated the need to establish an independent mechanism to monitor the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Independent oversight, accessible complaint procedures and effective legal remedies are essential for determining whether the measures adopted are genuinely improving people’s situation or whether human rights violations are continuing in different forms.

In 2027, Slovenia will chair the 20th Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This is an important international role, and at the same time a responsibility to ensure that the standards it advocates at international level are consistently implemented at home as well.

On 13 October 2026, the Commissioner for Human Rights of Poland, Sylwia Gregorczyk-Abram, met with the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty. The meeting, held at the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, was also attended by the Commissioner's Adviser, Geraldine Mattioli-Zeltner, Adviser at the Office of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Agata...

Im Zuge der Debatte rund um den Umgang mit mutmaßlichen Intensivtäter*innen unter 14 Jahren fordert die Volksanwaltschaft die rasche Schaffung einer klaren Rechtsgrundlage für künftige Einrichtungen wie die Wiener "Auszeit-WG". Freiheitsbeschränkende Maßnahmen dürfen nur als letztes Mittel und mit klarer rechtlicher Grundlage eingesetzt werden.

„Das Heimaufenthaltsgesetz ist für diese Sachverhalte keine geeignete Rechtsgrundlage. "Man sollte das Problem lösen", sagte Volksanwalt Bernhard Achitz. Das Justizministerium arbeitet seit mehr als einem Jahr an einer Rechtsgrundlage zur Schaffung von "spezialisierten sozialpädagogischen Wohngemeinschaften der Kinder- und Jugendhilfe", wie sie im Regierungsprogramm vorgesehen sind.

Auszeit-WGs jedenfalls besser als niedrigeres Strafmündigkeitsalter

„Ich bin dafür, dass Jugendliche mit erzieherischen Maßnahmen von der Straffälligkeit abgehalten werden. Dabei darf keinesfalls Bestrafung im Fokus stehen“, so Achitz. Die Auszeit-WG folgt einem – wenn auch verbesserungsbedürftigen – pädagogischen Konzept, was in Gefängnissen nicht der Fall ist. Gerade wenn man sich die von Volksanwältin Gaby Schwarz laufend kritisierten Zustände in den Gefängnissen anschaut, wo eine menschenrechtskonforme Unterbringung von Jugendlichen nicht gesichert ist, sind Modelle wie Auszeit-WGs als letzter Ausweg und vorübergehende Maßnahme jedenfalls der bessere Weg als die Absenkung des Strafmündigkeitsalters – sowohl aus gesellschaftlicher als auch aus finanzieller Sicht.

Zusätzlich braucht es präventive Konzepte und, wenn die Anhaltung unvermeidlich ist, verbesserte Konzepte während der Anhaltung. Besonders wichtig ist, dass damit auch die Nachbetreuung geregelt wird.

The House Business Committee has unanimously agreed to recommend to the House of Representatives the approval of the Ombudsplan 2027 and the proposed budget for the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

 The House Business Committee is chaired by the Speaker of the House, the Hon. Carmelo Abela. Its members are, from the Government side, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health, the Hon. Ian Borg; the Government Whip, the Hon. Naomi Cachia; and the Deputy Government Whip, the Hon. Fleur Abela. Representing the Opposition are the Opposition Whip, the Hon. Ivan Castillo, and the Deputy Opposition Whip, the Hon. Toni Bezzina.

During the members from both sides of the House commended the work being carried out by the institution, as reflected in the priorities, activities and results presented in the Ombudsplan.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, highlighted the importance the Office continues to place on outreach and on regularly informing the public about its role and functions.

He referred to the Office’s participation in Freshers’ Week activities at the University of Malta, MCAST, the Institute of Tourism Studies and the Institute for Education, through which 641 students sought information about the Office this year. He also referred to the educational talks offered in public, Church and independent schools, as well as outreach within the public administration, including talks delivered to public service employees.

Judge Zammit McKeon said that sustained outreach is helping to ensure that the institution remains accessible and is increasingly sought by persons requiring assistance. Between 1 January and 30 September 2026, the Office received 454 complaints, an increase of 9% compared with the same period in 2025, while 757 persons were provided with assistance, representing an increase of 25% over the corresponding period last year.

The Ombudsman also reported that during the same period 142 complaints were resolved during the course of investigations, an increase of 95% over the previous year. He noted that this also reflects better understanding and cooperation by public authorities in addressing issues affecting members of the public before an investigation reaches the stage of a Final Opinion.

The average overall duration of investigations has also been reduced from six months to four months. The Ombudsman attributed this improvement to investment in human resources and technology aimed at making the work of the Office more efficient and responsive.

Turning to the nature of complaints received, Judge Zammit McKeon explained that around one third concern unfair treatment and lack of equity, while undue delay or failure to act accounts for approximately 20% of complaints.

Implementation of recommendations

The Ombudsman also addressed the implementation of recommendations in cases decided in favour of complainants. He noted that around 90% of such cases are now resolved or implemented, while those recommendations which remain unimplemented are pursued through the procedures provided by the Ombudsman Act, including referral to Parliament where necessary.

He reiterated his proposal that Final Opinions referred to Parliament should be considered by a parliamentary committee, providing an opportunity for further scrutiny and direction where recommendations remain unimplemented.

Judge Zammit McKeon described unimplemented recommendations as missed opportunities for the public administration to address shortcomings and improve the services it provides.

Human rights and institutional reform

In replying to questions from members of the Committee, the Ombudsman also raised a number of matters concerning access to justice and institutional safeguards.

He drew attention to the fact that, although Malta has ratified Protocol No. 12 to the European Convention on Human Rights, which provides for a general prohibition of discrimination, it has not yet been incorporated into Maltese domestic law.

The Ombudsman also reiterated his proposal for consideration to be given to suspending prescription in actions against the public service and public administration while an Ombudsman investigation is ongoing. Such a measure, he explained, would further facilitate access to justice by ensuring that a person does not risk losing the possibility of pursuing legal remedies while awaiting the outcome of an investigation.

Judge Zammit McKeon also referred to the Government’s decision that Malta’s National Human Rights Institution would be established separately from the Office of the Ombudsman, through a Human Rights and Equality Commission.

He emphasised that the legislation establishing the new institution should ensure its independence, autonomy and appropriate constitutional protection. He also stressed the importance of the institution should be placed in a position of obtaining A status accreditation from the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, for the conformity with the Paris Principles.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the House Business Committee unanimously agreed to recommend to Parliament the approval of the Ombudsplan 2027 and the budget of the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman.