An overview of human rights ombudsman’s activities in the field of human rights of people with disabilities/ april-june 2025
Date of article: 25/07/2025
Daily News of: 01/08/2025
Country: 
Slovenia
Author: Human Rights Ombudsman of Slovenia
Article language: en
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):
- July–September 2024
- October–December 2022
[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.