Ombudswoman for Persons with Disabilities
Overview:
Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities is a bridge between persons with disabilities and institutions that can systematically address their issues. We are open to initiatives, focused on readdressing the wrong and changing mindsets to create a more inclusive society.
Brief history
The first Ombudswoman for Persons with Disabilities, Ms. Anka Slonjsak, was appointed by the Croatian Parliament on 30 May 2008. On October 16 2016, Ms. Slonjsak was re-elected at second term of eight years.
The institution of the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities commenced with work on 1 July 2008.
The mandate of the Institution is based on the Act on the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities. Priority tasks of the Office are protecting, promoting and monitoring the rights of persons with disabilities in Croatia.
The Institution acts as an equality body combating discrimination on the ground of disability and as an independent body for monitoring implementation of the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.
It also acts as an ombudsman’s institution dealing with complaints on administration by central and local governments. The institution also monitors compliance of acts and regulations with legally binding international documents in the field of protection of rights of persons with disabilities primarily the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities and proposes amendments to acts and regulations pertaining to the rights of persons with disabilities.
In 2015 the Institution was mandated with checking placements in psychiatric hospitals where the consent has been given by a guardian pursuant to the article 26 of the Act on the protection of persons with mental disorders (OG, 76/14).
Mandate Type
Predominantly promotion-type and legal support body
Litigation power:
- Intervening before the court
- Formally deciding on complaints (e.g. decision or recommendation addressed to the parties) Not legally binding
Activities
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Activities aimed at supporting vulnerable groups ( e.g. through trainings ) | |||||||||||
| Activities aimed at supporting duty bearers such as employers and service providers (e.g. through trainings, guidance material, practical support, etc.) | |||||||||||
| Communication activities (e.g. awareness raising campaigns) | |||||||||||
| Recommendations on discrimination issues | |||||||||||
| Publications and reports | |||||||||||
| Research projects (including surveys) |
Our institution has a mandate to deal with:
- Violence against women
- UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
- Hate crime
- Hate speech
Other statistics:
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of inquiries handled per year (all contact even if not resulting in a formal complaint) | 1474 | 1446 | 1625 | 1355 | 1713 | 1921 | 1394 | 1827 | 1951 | 2172 | 2266 |
| Number of cases handled per year (case files opened and processed according to your procedures) | 418 | 647 | 726 | 811 | 661 | 735 | 725 | 900 | 722 | 955 | 906 |
| Number of media appearances per year (major newspapers/magazines/websites/blogs, TV + radio channels) - does not include social media | 34 | 76 | 115 | 190 | 214 | 209 | 163 | 234 | 151 | 205 | 299 |
Management
- Single headed equality body (led by director or ombudsman/commissioner)
Management details
The Office is led by an Ombudsman. The Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities has two deputies. If the Ombudsman does not have a degree in law, one of the deputies has to be a lawyer.
Additional details
The institution of the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities was established by an act of the Parliament. It is an independent and stand alone institution dedicated to the rights of persons with disabilities and reporting to the Parliament. It comprises mandates of an equality body, national human rights institution and ombudsman with respect to persons with disabilities.
Procedure for nomination and appointment of management and board
Based on the recommendation of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities is appointed and relieved of duty by the Croatian Parliament. The Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities has two deputies who are appointed and relieved of their duty by the Croatian Parliament based on the recommendation of the ombudsman for persons with disabilities.
The Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities and his or her deputies are officials of the Republic of Croatia, are appointed for the mandate of eight years and can be reappointed. In appointing the Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities or one of his/her deputies the priority will be given to a person with disability provided he or she fulfills all the required conditions defined in the job advertisement.
Number of staff dealing with equality issues
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Grounds and fields of discrimination covered by the equality body
| Grounds / Fields | Employment | Education | Housing | Social Protection & Healthcare | Goods and Services | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||||||
| Gender Identity | ||||||
| Race and Ethnic Origin | ||||||
| Age | ||||||
| Disability | ||||||
| Sexual Orientation | ||||||
| Religion & Belief |
Accessibility, Mobility, Judiciary, Property legal relations, Pension insurance, Beneficial work experience, Child supplement, Civil society organizations, Family society, Sports, Culture, etc.
Mandate covers:
- Public sector
- Private sector
Operating budget in euros
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 399.100 | 439.533 | 410.084 | 392.935 | 392.860 | 409.266 | 440.361 | 466.265 | 499.294 | 536.511 |
We are accountable to
- National Parliament
Full name in English
Ombudsman for Persons with DisabilitiesFull name in the national language(s):
Pravobranitelj za osobe s invaliditetomPostal address
Savska cesta 41/3, HR 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia