On 14 June 2023, Deputy Ombudsman Dr Jože Ruparčič, responsible for children’s rights at the institution of the Human Rights Ombudsman, invited representatives of non-governmental organisations that take care of the realisation of children’s rights for a meeting. In a detailed discussion they tackled numerous topics, from children’s mental health to poverty, dedicated attention to peer and on-line violence, and discussed the planned reform of curricula in kindergartens and secondary schools.

In the light of the recent International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, the participants devoted special attention to violence against children. “We must have zero tolerance towards all types of violence. In recent years, we have found that violence against children has been increasing. Unfortunately, it often remains hidden since it happens behind closed doors. The skills of adults who come into contact with child victims of aggression through their work need to be strengthened. It is important that they recognise violence and know how to act. Violence must be reported and not swept under the carpet if it is detected or brought to our attention. We must be aware that in addition to psychological, physical, economic, and sexual violence neglect of children is also a form of violence,” emphasised the Deputy Ombudsman.

The participants agreed that it is essential that institutions responsible in cases of violence respond in a timely, professional, and decisive manner. It is unacceptable that procedures take an unreasonably long time, which additionally destroys the childhood of victims of violence. “Long-lasting court procedures are a problem to which the Ombudsman constantly brings attention and emphasises that this has a significantly more negative impact on children than adults. The lack of clinical psychologists and child psychiatrists is again warned against as very critical,” added Dr Ruparčič.

At the meeting, the Hiša za otroke project was presented as a best practice example of efficient inter-ministerial and inter-institutional cooperation for the benefit of children; the project opened its doors in June last year and provides protection and comprehensive treatment of children, victims of the most severe criminal acts.

Dr Simona Drenik Bavdek, Assistant Head of the Centre for Human Rights (Centre) with the Ombudsman, also participated at the meeting since the Centre is also active in the field of promotion and monitoring of children’s rights. An analysis of the existing situation about the detection of violence in primary and secondary schools and about the education on children’s rights in schools is prepared by the Centre. “At the Ombudsman we proposed last year that the inspection of school bags should be regulated by law since there is no such clear legal base. Hence, we again recommend to the Ministry of Education to adopt legal solutions that would appropriately regulate the inspection of what schoolchildren bring onto school premises, especially for the inspection of school bags and testing for the presence of dangerous objects, all types of weapons, drugs, and alcohol for the entire educational field. We expect our recommendation to be followed,” stressed Dr Drenik Bavdek.

In the opinion of the meeting participants, the planned reform of the school system should strengthen the education of children and young people about human rights and tolerance as well as the respect of differences. “The Ombudsman recommends to the Ministry of Education to include experts in the field of human rights in the renovation of curricula. We also support the proposals of experts from the Faculty of Sport of the University of Ljubljana to implement solutions in schools which would enable children to exercise more and for school work to move back to schools since children are too often overburdened with homework and other school tasks in the afternoons,” added Deputy Ombudsman Dr Ruparčič.

Dr Blaž Lenarčič, a representative of the Science and Research Centre Koper, Dr Živa Humer from the Peace Institute, Andrej Motl, a representative of Spletno oko, Nina Kozarič, a representative from Zveza za avtizem Slovenije, Anja Bohinec and Maruša Bertoncelj, representatives of the National Institute of Public Health, Mateja Lemovšek from Red Cross Slovenia, Urša Valenčič from the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Ljubljana, and Tjaša Bertoncelj from Tom Telefon, which operates within the Slovenian Association of Friends of Youth, participated at the meeting.