International Human Rights Day. Ombudsperson takes part in international conference in Slovenia

The Ombudsperson took part in the high-level international conference on the effectiveness of Ombudsmen and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), which took place in Bled, Slovenia, on 5 and 6 December. The event marked the 30th anniversary of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia and brought together participants from different countries to debate contemporary challenges in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Maria Lúcia Amaral was one of the speakers on the inaugural panel on ‘Effective promotion of human rights: is it necessary to strengthen the impact and effectiveness of ombudsmen and NHRIs?’. She emphasised the role of these institutions capable of using their soft powers to mediate conflicts, deal with crises and promote universal values in a more agile way, responding to the challenges posed by the social and political fragmentation of contemporary times.

The Ombudsperson also attended an official reception at the Presidential Palace in Ljubljana, hosted by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar. The occasion celebrated not only the anniversary of the Slovenian Ombudsman, but also International Human Rights Day, which is celebrated on 10 December, promoting international dialogue and cooperation in this area.

Institutions from more than 20 countries were represented at the conference, including human rights defenders, academics and experts in various fields such as artificial intelligence. Among the topics discussed were the digital transition, climate change and the need for innovative approaches to strengthen democratic values and fundamental rights.