The official public protector of citizens’ rights, Slovakia's ombudsman Pavel Kandráč, met President Ivan Gašparovič on Wednesday, April 21, to present his annual report on the observance of human rights in 2009.
"We discussed problems in the judiciary and social issues," Kandráč said, as reported by the SITA newswire. He added that Slovak citizens complain most frequently about protracted court proceedings and proceedings before public administration authorities.
The report of the Ombudsman's Office for last year should be discussed at the next parliamentary session. Kandráč repeatedly asked the president for support in widening his competency to cover all rights and freedoms of private individuals and corporate entities, including the rights of children. He wants to help create a state similar to other European countries in which the ombudsman has the opportunity to focus on so-called "ill administration." In his opinion, the ombudsman should be able to influence not only basic rights and freedoms but any rights and freedoms whose violation worries citizens. Currently, the Slovak ombudsman does not have the authority to help citizens resolve issues regarding housing, for example.
Source: SITA
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
