News and events of the Ombudsman’s Office in July 2025 (information in links mostly available in Latvian).

To-do list for those involved in the educational process

With the new school year approaching, the Ombudsman wished to remind local governments and heads of schools about several issues regarding preparation for the new school year, including provision of school supplies, clear rules regarding the use of smart devices for pupils, especially up to Grade 6, the earliest start time of classes and adult companion in school buses.

Ombudsman replies: Are there any obligations for apartment owners due to house renovation?

People have turned to the Ombudsman’s Office asking whether and what are the obligations of apartment owners when renovating an apartment building in which their property – an apartment – is located? Everything, including the agreement on costs, the progress of works and also the responsibility associated with settlements, is in the hands of apartment owners. If not only savings, but also external funding has been obtained for renovation process then full responsibility for the credit payment rests with all the apartment owners.

Young people who have voluntarily completed the National Defence Service must have clear conditions regarding the possibility of obtaining a budget position in a higher education institution

Young people who have voluntarily served in the National Defence Service must have access to clear and understandable conditions to qualify for a state-funded study places at a university or college. In July, Deputy Ombudsman Ineta Piļāne invited representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education and Science to discuss the current procedure.

Ombudsman replies: Is it permissible not to admit students to vocational school if they have acquired primary education according to special programme?

The Ombudsman’s Office has received a question from a resident, whether a vocational school providing secondary vocational education programmes, may refuse to admit a young person who has acquired primary education according to special programme. The short answer is that there is no legal basis for refusing to admit the pupil, but it should be taken into account that he/she will parallelly  have to study both the profession and secondary education programme.

Ombudsman’s Office conducts research: rotation in the civil service – promotion or punishment?

The Ombudsman’s Office is launching a study on the transfer of civil servants, often referred to as rotation. The complaints received give the impression, prima facie, that rotation of civil servants is being used to deal with uncomfortable officials. Is this the case and how effective is the transfer of officials? The answers to these questions require more research into the problem. Therefore, the Ombudsman’s Office has sent questionnaires – one to state institutions and the other to civil servants and invites replies by 1 September.

Expenses of local governments for the needs of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers must be compensated without delay

The Ombudsman’s Office has approached the Prime Minister with a request to the government to assess as soon as possible how expenses will be compensated to those local governments that provide for the needs of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers. The problem is that the workload of some municipal Orphan’s and Custody Courts has increased significantly, but it is still not clear whether and when the state will allocate additional funding. Ropaži municipality currently faces a particular burden.

Rule of Law Report. What is the situation in Latvia?

Rule of law guarantees democracy and citizens’ rights and freedoms; it is one of the fundamental values of the European Union (EU). Although each Member State has their national laws, they must act in accordance with EU requirements to jointly promote the interests of democratic countries and the rights of individuals. For the sixth year in a row, the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) has been inviting participating institutions to report on the situation in their country, focusing on various aspects of human rights and rule of law. The report is an opportunity to see Latvia in relation to other EU countries, to assess aspects where our country manages to implement good practices and where improvements are needed. At the same time, it is also an opportunity for the Ombudsman’s Office to show what the institution has done to strengthen human rights in Latvia.

Documents prepared by the Ombudsman’s Office:

• Ombudsman’s opinion on the action of Riga local government in determining the rent for municipality housing
• Ombudsman’s opinion on the inclusion of mandatory State social insurance contributions in the expenditure of self-employed persons

Probleme beim Bürgergeld, wie zum Beispiel mit der Übernahme der Kosten für Miete oder Heizung, mit der Hilfe zum Lebensunterhalt, dem Wohngeld oder auch mit Leistungen der Krankenkassen oder Schwierigkeiten beim Kindergeld - die Bürgerbeauftragte für soziale Angelegenheiten des Landes Schleswig-Holstein, Samiah El Samadoni, hilft bei allen Fragen rund um das Sozialrecht. Darüber hinaus berät die Bürgerbeauftragte auch als Leiterin der Antidiskriminierungsstelle des Landes und als Ombudsperson in der Kinder- und Jugendhilfe im Rahmen dieser Sprechstunde. Zudem ist die Bürgerbeauftragte auch Beauftragte für die Landespolizei und damit Ansprechpartnerin für Beschwerden von Bürger*innen und Eingaben von Polizist*innen.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, attended the commemoration of the 45th Anniversary of the Malta Association of Retired Police Officers (MARPO), an important milestone honouring those who dedicated their careers to serving the Maltese community.

The event began with a Mass at the Police Headquarters Chapel in memory of former officers who have passed away. This was followed by a gathering at the Officers’ Mess, providing an opportunity for former colleagues to reconnect and share memories of camaraderie and service.

The commemoration was addressed by the Minister for Home, Security and Employment, the Hon. Byron Camilleri, and by Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà, who expressed appreciation for MARPO’s continued contribution through their participation in annual discussions, underlining the value of their experience in shaping the Force’s future. MARPO Secretary Mr Ray Zammit also addressed the gathering, thanking attendees and highlighting the vital role retired officers continue to play in supporting the community and the Police Corps, including through service as Reserve Police Constables (RPC).

Between April and June 2025, the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia (Ombudsman) discussed various complaints from people who turned to the institution regarding the provision of human rights of people with disabilities. Complainants were helped with clarifications about their rights and the legislation, recommendations for the better realisation of rights were addressed to bodies responsible, and attention was publicly brought to the rights of people with disabilities. Below you can find an overview of completed complaint procedures and various public activities. 
 

Intervention of the Ombudsman due to the Refusal of Disability Allowance to a Deafblind Complainant 

A complainant who has been 100% blind since childhood and has over 40 years of work experience, retired on disability grounds, contacted the Ombudsman because the Pension and Disability Insurance Institute of Slovenia (ZPIZ) did not recognise his right to disability allowance following a deterioration of his hearing (diagnosed as severe bilateral hearing loss). The ZPIZ rejected his claim at first instance, arguing that the worsening of his medical situation does not represent at least a 50% worsening of the pre-existing physical impairment (blindness). The complainant appealed the decision, but the appeal was not decided upon within a reasonable timeframe, prompting him to seek the Ombudsman’s assistance. The Ombudsman found that medical opinions and decisions were poorly reasoned and warned the ZPIZ about breaches of the legislation. Following the Ombudsman’s intervention, the ZPIZ partially upheld the complainant’s appeal and recognised his right to disability allowance for 60% physical impairment due to hearing loss. The Ombudsman deemed the complaint justified and concluded that the initial actions of the ZPIZ constituted a violation of the rights of persons with disabilities, as protected under Article 52 of the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia. (more)

Human Rights Ombudsman Critical of ZPIZ-20 due to U-turn on Changing the Definition of Disability 

During the drafting of the proposed amendments to the Pension and Disability Insurance Act (ZPIZ-20), the Ombudsman expressed concern that the reform fails to address the outdated definition of disability, even though the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (MDDSZ) has been bringing attention to this for years. The Ministry explained that changes in the definition of disability would only follow reforms to mandatory health insurance system, citing their close interconnection. The Ombudsman considered this response to be an evasion of responsibility, pointing out that the current definition has long been misaligned with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (KOPI) and international standards. The Ombudsman reiterated that the prevailing medical model of disability, which is still the basis used the national legislation, is inadequate and must be replaced by a human rights-based model. Such a model takes into account not only a person’s medical condition but also the environmental barriers that hinder full inclusion in society. The Ombudsman therefore calls on the MDDSZ once again to draft legislation in line with the KOPI as soon as possible and eliminate systemic violations of the rights of persons with disabilities. (more)

The National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) Continues Visiting Work and Care Centres 

Between April and June, a representative of the NPM[1] made monitoring and thematic visits to the following centres: Varstveno-delovni center INCE (VDC INCE), Naša hiša unit; VDC SAŠA, Mozirje residential unit; VDC Tolmin; VDC Kranj, Škofja Loka residential unit; and VDC Šentjur, Slovenske Konjice living unit.

The Ombudsman Warns about Vandalism Directed against People with Disabilities, and Calls to Action 

The Ombudsman has express serious concern over the damage to public infrastructure intended for persons with disabilities – among other instances, of a bathing area in Izola which is adapted for people with disabilities. Such acts are not only vandalism but constitute a direct violation of the rights and dignity of people with disabilities, contributing to their social exclusion. The Ombudsman stressed that rights must be guaranteed for all, regardless of physical ability. Damaging infrastructure designed for people with disabilities undermines social solidarity and compromises the sense of safety for vulnerable groups. The Ombudsman therefore urges the responsible bodies to act swiftly and decisively, particularly when there is reason to believe that the act may have been motivated by hate. The Ombudsman also highlighted the importance of preventive measures, such as raising awareness, education, and the active involvement of people with disabilities in decision-making processes, since it is only through clear social condemnation and a policy of zero tolerance of hate-motivated acts that the rights of vulnerable groups can be effectively protected. (more)

The Ombudsman at the “Na glas za nas!” (Loudly for Us!) Event about Rights of People with Disabilities 

On 5 June 2025, a representative of the Ombudsman, Dr Kornelija Marzel, took part in the first national event of the Unity Project in Slovenj Gradec, aimed at promoting the inclusion of persons with intellectual and other disabilities into society. During the event, self-advocates highlighted key issues such as the need for independence, supported decision-making, access to housing, employment opportunities, and fair wages. Dr Marzel presented the Ombudsman’s activities in the field of equal treatment, warned about the inaccessibility of public spaces, and spoke about the outdated definition of disability, which remains rooted solely in the medical model. An information leaflet in easy-to-read format was also introduced. Participants stressed the need for legislative reforms and greater respect for people with disabilities. (more)

Meeting of the ENNHRI Working Group for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 

On 4 June 2025, a representative of the Centre for Human Rights at the Ombudsman and the presiding person of the ENNHRI working group for the rights of persons with disabilities, Jerneja Turin, convened and led a meeting of the group’s members. This session focused on the implementation of the European Disability Card Directive and featured presentations of examples of how national human rights institutions are working to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities. During the discussion, Ms Turin also introduced her European colleagues to Slovenia’s national system for implementing the EU Disability Card.

Previous overviews of the Ombudsman’s activities in the field of rights of people with disabilities (a click on the indents below will take you to where they are published):

-             January–March 2025

-             October–December 2024

-             July–September 2024

-             April–June 2024

-             January–March 2024

-             October–December 2023

-             July–September 2023

-             April–June 2023

-             January–March 2023

-             October–December 2022

-             July–September 2022

-             April–June 2022

-             January–March 2022

-             October–December 2021

-             July–September 2021

-             April–June 2021

-             January–March 2021

-             October–December 2020

-             July–September 2020

[1] The task of the National Preventive Mechanism (which was established within the institution of the Human Rights Ombudsman based on the provision of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment) is to visit places of deprivation of liberty in the country and to check the treatment of people deprived of liberty with the purpose to strengthen their protection from torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

È disponibile online il numero 3 della Newsletter del Coordinamento Nazionale dei Difensori Civici delle Regioni e delle Province Autonome italiane, uno strumento pensato per raccontare in maniera puntuale e trasparente l’attività svolta a tutela dei cittadini, dei loro diritti e dei valori democratici del nostro Paese.

 La newsletter è consultabile liberamente al seguente link:
 Numero 3 – Luglio 2025 (PDF)

In questo nuovo numero troverete:

• Il racconto delle attività istituzionali recenti, sia sul piano nazionale che internazionale;
• Approfondimenti su buone pratiche regionali nella difesa civica;
• Il focus sul ruolo del Difensore Civico nella semplificazione amministrativa e nella giustizia di prossimità;
• Le nuove collaborazioni internazionali, con testimonianze dirette;
• Notizie su eventi, progetti educativi e incontri con i cittadini.

Il Presidente Marino Fardelli, nell’introduzione, sottolinea l’importanza della rete dei Difensori Civici come presidio di democrazia, ascolto e legalità nei territori. La newsletter continua a essere un ponte tra le Istituzioni e i cittadini, promuovendo la cultura dei diritti e della responsabilità pubblica.