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20th Anniversary Conference
On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of its office, the Ombudsman of the Republic of Moldova invited Ombudsman Institutions, representatives of NHRI’s and public authorities to attend the conference entitled “Evolution and role of national human rights institution in the modern society”. Participants from around the world gathered in Chisinau to discuss the significance of National Human Rights Institutions and their international networks throughout history - and today.
The two-day conference took place on September 27th and 28th. On the first day of the event, international Ombudsmen and representatives of National Human Rights Institutions elaborated on issues such as the evolution of Human Rights Institutions and the necessity of a well-established international network to strengthen the mandate of the respective institutions.
Ombudsman Dr. Günther Kräuter in his role as the General Secretary of the IOI, was invited to talk about the 40th Anniversary of the International Ombudsman Institute as well as about the Institution’s role in the strengthening and extending the mandate of NHRI’s.
He congratulated the Ombudsman Mihail Cotorobai and his team to the work of their office and highlighted “the crucial importance of bodies like the Moldovan Ombudsman Institution for their country and region. The promotion of democracy, the rule of law and the protection of human rights are of utmost significance for citizens and the society as a whole, especially in a time, where all Human Rights Institutions have to face a variety of huge challenges all around the world – also in Eastern Europe.”
Commenting on the importance of international cooperation, the Ombudsman of the Republic of Moldova Mihail Cotorobai noted: “The strength of our Ombudsman Institution is based on international support. This is why the Moldovan Ombudsman is also member of the International Ombudsman Institute and highly values the cooperation.”
In his speech, Mr. Cotorobai further outlined the future profile, as well as the challenges and priorities of his Ombudsman office and stressed that good governance is a core element of Human Rights protection.
On the second day of the conference, the participants were invited to visit the Camp of Charles XII, King of Sweden, in Varnita, close to the Transnistrian zone. This place on the peripheral territory of the former Ottoman Empire is of historical and memorial importance for Ombudsinstitutions and NHRI’s, since it was King Charles XII, who created the first independent complaints authority.
