BackChris Field, President of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and Western Australian Ombudsman, provided a virtual address at the Conference for Ombudspersons and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) within the framework of the First Parliamentary Summit of Crimea Platform.
“It was a great honour last night to join Ombudsman and NHRIs from around the world for the Conference for Ombudspersons and NHRIs within the framework of the First Parliamentary Summit of Crimea Platform. The conference was co-hosted by my valued colleagues Ombudswoman Einwalter, the Ombudswoman of Croatia and Commissioner Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights” said President Field.
“The unlawful annexation of Crimea and the unlawful invasion of Ukraine stands condemned by Ombudsman institutions and the IOI. The invasion of the Ukraine is at once an existential threat to regional and global peace and prosperity, but also a daily direct threat, that has resulted in tragic death and displacement, for the Ukrainian people. Following my official visit to Hungary to attend border crossing points at the Hungarian-Romanian border and the Hungarian-Ukrainian border last month, in December I will be undertaking an official visit to Ukraine following an invitation to do so from Commissioner Lubinets” said President Field.
President Field told conference delegates: “The IOI expresses its deepest concern, and sorrow, for the ongoing tragic loss of life in the Ukraine, the internal displacement of millions of Ukrainians, the refugee crisis and the profound impact on Ukraine’s economy, its cultural institutions and its infrastructure. The community of Ombudsman institutions, as represented by the IOI, is dedicated to promoting and protecting the rule of law and human rights. We offer our strongest support to Commissioner Lubinets in his profoundly courageous work to assist the citizens of the Ukraine so severely affected by the armed conflict. We also stand with the Ukrainian Business Council Ombudsman. We are also deeply grateful for the work undertaken by our Ombudsman colleagues in countries neighbouring Ukraine, and in Europe more generally, to safeguard the fundamental rights of refugees crossing their respective borders”.
