Press Release | Meeting with the Vice President of the E.C.

The Greek Ombudsman Andreas Pottakis met with the Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová, during her official visit to Greece.

"Integrity and transparency are the alpha and omega of a healthy development of society. A society in which everyone's rights are respected, and everyone is treated equally. In which the procedures for enforcing laws and, consequently, rights, are fair and clear, in which the rule of law works", said the President of the European Parliament in his speech at the round table on Integrity in relation to legality and legitimacy emphasised the Ombudsman Peter Svetina at the Grand Hotel Unino in Ljubljana on 30 September 2022. The round table was organised by the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (KPK).

He recalled that in its third report on the state of the rule of law in Slovenia in July 2022, the European Commission made two recommendations on anti-corruption efforts, namely that obstacles to investigating and prosecuting corruption cases should be removed - including by ensuring the operational autonomy of the National Bureau of Investigation, increasing the resources of the Public Prosecutor's Office and amending the statute of limitations - and that the country should immediately adopt and start implementing an anti-corruption strategy. He is pleased that the report highlights that several measures were taken to address the risk of corruption during the epidemic, in particular in the area of public procurement. However, he believes that many more steps will have to be taken if we are to be truly effective in preventing and prosecuting those who illegitimately and unjustifiably pursue their own ends in a clandestine manner, in one way or another, by breaking the law or abusing power.

He also pointed out that, in uncertain circumstances, the rules of society are put to the test and that it is therefore particularly important to respect the decisions of the authorities that decide which rules of society should apply, so that the dignity of the individual is respected, and his rights and fundamental freedoms are realised. "I am therefore concerned about the increase in the number of unenforced decisions of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia, as well as the increase in the number of unfulfilled recommendations of our institution. This is particularly important from the point of view of the legitimacy of government action, even if the recommendations of our institution are not legally binding. I cannot imagine the legitimacy of the State, local authorities or others without advocating solutions that respect the rule of law, human rights, integrity and the fight against corruption", clarified Ombudsman Svetina. 

The Ombudsman is convinced that without a broad social consensus on the importance of integrity and zero tolerance for all that is bad, not only at the declarative level, but above all in practice, we will not be able to take steps forward. He agrees that active and early detection of bad practices is essential, but this must be preceded by awareness-raising, which he hopes will be followed by a broader awareness of the importance of ethics, morality and integrity in practice. The Ombudsman also believes that today, more than ever, there is a need for comprehensive support for people, both in terms of various forms of assistance, investment in human resources, simplification of administrative procedures and the removal of bureaucratic obstacles, and also in the form of promoting an integrative mindset aimed at dialogue. "It is only through dialogue that needs can be heard and the conditions for meeting them can be created. I believe that this is the only way to rebuild ourselves as a society of knowledge, ethics and values, which I hope we all want", stresses Mr Svetina.

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Accès à la santé, au crédit, au logement, participation à la vie collective et citoyenne… Les idées reçues sur la vieillesse peuvent créer des différences de traitement envers les personnes âgées, qui constituent parfois des discriminations à leur encontre. A l’occasion de la Journée internationale des personnes âgées, le Défenseur des droits publie une brochure sur les discriminations et difficultés d’accès aux droits des personnes âgées.

Les idées reçues sur les personnes âgées peuvent causer des différences de traitement qui constituent parfois des discriminations interdites par la loi. Ces actes peuvent se dérouler lors d’une consultation médicale, au moment de contracter un crédit, de chercher un logement ou bien encore dans l’exercice de sa citoyenneté.

Le 1^er octobre 2021, le Défenseur des droits publiait une étude sur « Les discriminations et les difficultés d’accès aux droits liées à l’âge avancée ». Cette étude avait mobilisé une enquête téléphonique auprès de plus de 2500 personnes âgées de 65 ans ou plus vivant à domicile, ainsi qu’une enquête par entretien menée auprès de 15 aidants de personnes âgées en situation de perte d’autonomie. Les résultats montraient une prise de conscience insuffisante des personnes âgées quant aux discriminations dont elles pourraient être victimes, en particulier celles liées à leur âge.

Les saisines sur le sujet sont donc rares auprès du Défenseur des droits. A titre d’exemple, en 2021, seulement 3% des réclamations provenant de personnes de 60 ans et plus concernaient une situation de discrimination.

Une brochure à destination des personnes âgées et leur entourage

Face à cette situation, un an plus tard, le Défenseur des droits publie une brochure « Discriminations fondées sur l’âge et difficultés d’accès aux droits ». L’outil a été élaboré en concertation avec des acteurs associatifs et institutionnels du secteur.

Cette brochure a pour objectif de faire connaître leurs droits aux personnes âgées et à leur entourage, mais également d’informer sur les recours et solutions possibles dans ces situations. Elle rappelle de manière simple les concepts de discrimination et de difficultés d’accès aux droits, et donne plusieurs exemples de situations rencontrées par les personnes âgées dans différents domaines de la vie quotidienne : la santé (« On a refusé de m’envoyer une ambulance car je n’étais pas considéré comme prioritaire à cause de mon âge »), l’accès à des services publics ou privés (« On m’a refusé un crédit pour acheter un réfrigérateur à cause de mon âge »), le logement (« On m’a refusé une location d’appartement car j’ai 75 ans »), ou encore l’accès à la vie citoyenne (« Ma candidature au conseil d’administration de l’association donc je suis membre a été refusée car j’avais plus de 75 ans »). Pour chaque partie, les textes de lois concernés sont précisés.

Qu’ils soient victimes témoins de discriminations, ou qu’ils aient des questions sur leurs droits, les personnes âgées et leur entourage peuvent contacter gratuitement le Défenseur des droits par téléphone, courrier gratuit, site internet ou en prenant rendez-vous avec l’un des délégués territoriaux de l’institution.

“Member states should act to promote active ageing and ensure that older persons in Europe can fully enjoy their human rights,” said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović, ahead of the International Day of Older Persons.

“Active ageing* goes beyond possibilities on the labour market, and includes opportunities for independent living, adequate access to health care, and participation in society according to one’s needs, desires, and capacities. In order to advance these goals, as I have previously stated in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, the basic principles of autonomy, independence, and respect for every person’s dignity must always be at the heart of policy concerning older persons. Active ageing policies should be based on the recognition of the human rights of older persons, in line with international standards. In this regard, there is a need to shift from viewing older persons primarily as beneficiaries of care to recognising them as independent rights-holders.

There are positive developments and initiatives at regional level that help identify and overcome the specific barriers older people may face in the realisation of their human rights. I encourage member states to continue this engagement and to strengthen measures to combat those barriers at national level.

For this purpose, countering ageism in all its forms – stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination based on age – is key. According to the WHO, half of the world’s population has ageist attitudes about older persons. False but often socially accepted narratives of old people being dependent, frail and less competent by default can have detrimental consequences for the human rights of older persons. It is imperative that member states take all necessary measures to tackle ageism and its adverse effects. An important step in this direction is to ensure that legislation prohibits age-discrimination in all areas.

It is also crucial that national policies reflect the reality of the diversity of older persons. As people age, their situations continue to be influenced by a myriad of factors such as their living environments, family and financial situations, education opportunities and immigration status. However, irrespective of these determinants, every person has the right to age in an active and healthy way. Member states should consider intersectional dimensions that may lead to higher risks of facing discrimination, such as disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or gender. Notably, ‘gender blind’ active ageing policies should be revised to ensure that they address the different situations and challenges older women, but also men, face due to deeply entrenched inequalities and harmful stereotypes persisting in our societies. I see an increasing role for NHRIs, equality bodies, and civil society in shaping policies, for example by reporting the domestic situation and holding governments to account if necessary, but also by sharing best practices at European level.

I call on all member states to show firm commitment to securing the rights of older persons. Like ageing, human rights are universal. They should not be denied or diminished with age.”

* Active ageing is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as “the process of optimising the opportunities for health, participation, and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age”.

El Defensor de la Infancia y Adolescencia de Andalucía, Jesús Maeztu, y la presidenta de UNICEF Andalucía, Claudia Zafra, han firmado hoy un convenio de colaboración que renueva la alianza para la protección y promoción de los derechos de los niños, niñas y adolescentes.

El Defensor de la Infancia y Adolescencia, Jesús Maeztu, ha destacado que “los poderes públicos, las organizaciones y el conjunto de la sociedad debemos trabajar para proteger a muchos niños y niñas de todas aquellas situaciones que les impidan desarrollarse en plenitud de derechos; prevenir las situaciones de violencia que puedan ponerles en peligro o condicionar su futuro; y promover un mayor reconocimiento del derecho del menor a ser oído y escuchado sin discriminación alguna, así como que su opinión sea tenida en cuenta".

Por su parte, la presidenta de UNICEF en Andalucía, Claudia Zafra, ha señalado que “compartimos con la Defensoría el objetivo de trabajar sin descanso por el bienestar de los niños, niñas y adolescentes que viven en nuestra tierra, procedan de donde procedan. El convenio supone una garantía de defensa conjunta de los derechos de la infancia andaluza y del mundo, la promoción entre la infancia andaluza del conocimiento de sus derechos, con especial atención a la más vulnerable, la formación de profesionales, o la contribución a la sensibilización social sobre los derechos y situación de la infancia y adolescencia a través de la investigación y el intercambio de experiencias, entre otras líneas de trabajo”.

El convenio de colaboración recoge acciones para la difusión y promoción de los derechos; formación; sensibilización social; grupos de trabajo permanentes sobre temáticas de interés para el bienestar de este colectivo; intercambio de experiencias de participación infantil; y la celebración conjunta del 20 de noviembre, Día Mundial de la Infancia en el que se conmemora la Convención sobre los Derechos del Niño.

Entre otras cuestiones, la Defensoría de la Infancia y UNICEF han colaborado en iniciativas como el Pacto Andaluz por la Infancia para mitigar la pobreza infantil y la exclusión social; en sesiones de trabajo para mejorar la atención de niños y niñas migrantes no acompañados y la determinación adecuada de la edad, así como en la sensibilización sobre la trata de seres humanos; y para la reclamación de una mayor inversión en infancia. Capítulo aparte supone el desarrollo de la ley de Infancia y Adolescencia de Andalucía aprobada el pasado año en el Parlamento andaluz, que sienta las bases para una nueva etapa de avance de derechos para este colectivo. Asimismo, en términos de participación, la Defensoría cuenta con un consejo de menores, y algunos de sus representantes son también consejeros locales de las Ciudades Amigas de la Infancia, iniciativa apoyada por UNICEF. Esta organización difunde y apoya la implementación del concurso anual “Así veo mis derechos” convocado anualmente por la Defensoría y en la que están llamados a participar todos los centros educativos andaluces.