BackOn 22 January 2013, Ombudswoman Terezija Stoisits and Ombudsman Peter Kostelka met Catherine De Bruecker and Guido Schuermans of the Federal Ombudsman of Belgium.
The Belgian ombudspersons informed themselves about the experience of the Austrian Ombudsman Board (AOB), which operates as the Austrian NPM since 1 July 2012, regarding the implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). Ombudswoman Stoisits and Ombudsman Kostelka talked about the extensive preparatory measures and the structure of the NPM in Austria comprising the Austrian Ombudsman Board, its expert Commissions and the Human Rights Advisory Council. Furthermore future challenges of the Austrian NPM as well as its goals were subjects of discussion.
Catherine De Bruecker and Guido Schuermans also met representatives of the expert Commissions and the Human Rights Advisory Council to discuss the activities and competences of these bodies within the NPM.
The visit of the representatives of the Federal Ombudsman of Belgium served as valuable exchange of experience and formed a basis for further cooperation regarding the establishment of a NPM in Belgium.
