The Deputy Human Rights Ombudsman, Dr. Dijana Možina Zupanc, participated today, 29 September 2025, at a side event organised by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Slovenia to the UN Office and other international organisations in Geneva on the occasion of the 60th session of the Human Rights Council. The event, entitled Active Ageing: Ensuring the Full Enjoyment of the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of Older Persons, paid special attention to the issues of an ageing society and efforts to respect the human rights of older persons.

Deputy Ombudsman Dr. Možina Zupanc emphasised, among other things, that ageing is not the endpoint of life, but rather an integral part of it. She highlighted the importance of the responsibility of states and societies to ensure dignity, safety, and equal opportunities for the elderly. She presented the activities of the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia in the field of elderly care, which not only include handling complaints or questions from people who contact the institution when they believe their rights have been violated, but also frequent on-site visits, including regular visits to nursing homes. She recalled the publication of the brochure "Older People Have Their Rights Too," which the Ombudsman’s institution issued last year and with the help of which they aim to inform the elderly about their rights and the options available to them when these rights are violated, participation through the mobile application Magda, and other projects through which the Ombudsman seeks to bring rights closer to people where they live and work. The Ombudsman also sees great value in the idea of trustees – individuals who would help the elderly in the local community assert their rights and report problems.

Dr. Možina Zupanc highlighted numerous challenges that older people face in everyday life, such as the lack of adapted housing, inadequate long-term care, unequal access to healthcare services, and age discrimination in the labour market. As she stated, the Office of the Ombudsman has repeatedly recommended that the state develop comprehensive policies that recognise the value of the experience of older workers and ensure their equal inclusion in the labour market. In her opinion, one of the biggest obstacles to implementing many of the Ombudsman's recommendations is the lack of political will to adopt the necessary changes. "Although laws are being passed, they are often not comprehensive enough to provide older people with equal opportunities as others. It is necessary to strengthen various forms of support – from home assistance, nursing services, assisted living, day centres, and palliative care, to others," she said.

In this context, she expressed support for the recent Human Rights Council resolution, which foresees the establishment of an open-ended intergovernmental working group to prepare a legally binding instrument for the protection of the rights of older persons. In her view, the convention is necessary as it would close legal gaps and strengthen the international implementation of the rights of older persons.

"How we treat the elderly is not merely a matter of social policy, but a mirror of our civilisation," underlined Dr. Možina Zupanc, adding that it is the responsibility of all of us to build a society of solidarity, respect, and equal opportunities for all generations.