Ombudswoman Thanked Personalities and Projects Protecting Human Rights

Bratislava, December 10 (TASR) - Ombudswoman Maria Patakyova on Monday expressed her thanks to people protecting human rights on the occasion of Human Rights Day (December 10), which was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly as a reminder of adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, TASR learnt on Monday. "I respect people and organisations that come up with ideas and projects aimed at the human rights protection. 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 entire society," said Patakyova. The ombudswoman highlighted the work of five projects and personalities behind them. Patakyova thanked, for example, Lucia Mikulinova and Marian Runanin, who actively took part in teaching about democracy in the Open School project run by the Open Society Foundation. The ombudswoman also thanked Eva Siracka for being engaged in the long-term fight against cancer and protecting vulnerable groups of people suffering from this insidious disease and through the civic association League Against Cancer raising public awareness and solidarity with cancer patients. Patakyova 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. am/mcs