SLOVENIA | Heat must not jeopardise people’s dignity, health and safety

The Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia (the Ombudsman) has once again received several complaints this summer highlighting inadequate conditions caused by high temperatures in various institutions. Based on these complaints and as part of the activities of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), the Ombudsman has already assessed conditions in some institutions and taken temperature readings. It will conduct several more such visits in the coming days.

The Ombudsman once again urges the management of these institutions and all other responsible authorities to consistently monitor conditions during heatwaves in facilities where people are living who are unable to secure more suitable conditions for themselves, and to take timely measures to protect their health and dignity.

Findings to date indicate that high temperatures continue to pose a serious burden in many cases for residents of nursing homes, patients in hospitals and psychiatric institutions, incarcerated individuals, and other people in institutional care, as well as for staff. It is particularly concerning when people, because of their health condition, age, disability, deprivation of liberty or other circumstances, are unable to secure more suitable living conditions for themselves. The risk of inadequate living conditions is particularly high in older, dilapidated nursing homes and other facilities that are not equipped with adequate cooling and ventilation systems. It is the responsibility of the State to ensure that institutions have appropriate regulations, standards and financial resources to provide adequate living conditions.

The Ombudsman emphasises that ensuring adequate living conditions during heatwaves is not merely a matter of comfort, but of respect for human dignity, human rights and the right to a healthy environment, particularly for older people, patients, persons with disabilities, children and other vulnerable groups. The State and public service providers must ensure effective measures to protect the health and dignity of people entrusted to their care or deprived of their liberty. In this regard, merely complying with internal rules in a formal manner is not sufficient. The Ombudsman has already drawn the attention of the competent authorities to cases where internal rules are applied too rigidly, with air conditioning systems being switched on only once predetermined temperature thresholds have been reached—for example, after several consecutive days of outdoor temperatures above 30°C. Such rules must not take precedence over the obligation to ensure safe and humane living conditions in a timely manner. The Ombudsman has therefore reminded the competent authorities of the need to monitor actual indoor temperatures and act without delay where necessary.

Based on the complaints received, the Ombudsman also inspected conditions in the psychiatric wards of the University Medical Centre Maribor. During an unannounced visit on 10 July 2026, he recorded temperatures above 26°C. During the recent heatwave, staff in some wards also recorded temperatures of up to 31°C and, in one ward, as high as 36°C. The Ombudsman therefore requested clarification from the hospital's management regarding the measures already taken and those planned to ensure more appropriate living conditions. He also drew attention to the recommendations he had made during previous NPM visits concerning the provision of adequate cooling.

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Source: Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia