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High level conference for ombuds institutions and NHRIs organised by the Council of Europe
In 2024, the Basque Ombudsman, Manuel Lezertua, together with the President of the IOI European Region, visited Strasbourg. The purpose of their visit was to revive the practice of organizing conferences for ombuds institutions, a tradition that had previously been upheld by the Commissioner for Human Rights. The Basque Ombudsman proposal played a crucial role in bringing into being the High-Level Conference in Strasbourg in March 2025 for National Human Rights and ombuds institutions. The conference was already part of the Luxembourg Presidency in which the Ombudsman of Luxembourg, Claudia Monti was involved. However, this was the first international conference where ombuds institutions and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) came together to discuss shared topics of concern.
Among the speakers in the conference were Manuel Lezertua and Reinier van Zutphen who contributed on the topic on the role of NHRIs and ombuds institutions in upholding the Rule of law. Joseph Zammit McKeon, Ombudsman of Malta, gave a presentation on the impact of the Venice Principles on ombuds institutions in Europe and beyond. Ceslav Panico, People’s Advocate of Moldava, talked about cooperation opportunities with the Council of Europe for NHRIs and ombuds institutions in delivering their mandate. And finally, Ülle Madise, Chancellor of Justice of Estonia, spoke on the risks and opportunities to public decision-making in the age of digitalisation.
From this meeting we learned that a combined conference for both ombuds institutions and NRHRIs in a Council of Europe setting is very useful in promoting and strengthening the actions of the institutions. The IOI European Regional Board therefore is looking for the continuation of this cooperation and will keep you updated on further developments. The proceedings will be published by the Council of Europe.
Source: IOI European Region
