Ombudswoman Mária Patakyová expressed her thanks to people protecting human rights on the occasion of Human Rights Day (December 10). "I respect people and organisations that come up with ideas and projects aimed at protecting human rights. I see their contribution in pointing to violations of rights, while looking at ways to help vulnerable groups of people. They deserve not only my thanks, but also thanks from the whole of society," said Patakyová. The ombudswoman highlighted the work of five projects and personalities behind them. Lucia Mikulinová and Marián Ruňanin, who actively took part in teaching about democracy in the Open School project run by the Open Society Foundation were mentioned.
The ombudswoman also thanked Eva Siracká for being engaged in the long-term fight against cancer and protecting vulnerable groups of people suffering from this disease and raising public awareness via the civic association League Against Cancer. Patakyová also acknowledged a prominent political prisoner during the communist regime, Catholic priest Anton Srholec, in memoriam for his lifetime contribution to developing the idea of protecting human rights.
