IOI | Secretary General meets Hungarian Ombudsman to discuss Hungarian projects for Ukrainian refugees

On 28 March 2022, Ombudsman and Secretary General of the IOI, Werner Amon, and the Ombudsman of Hungary, Dr. Ákos Kozma, met in Vienna at the latter's urgent request.

OM Kozma used the conversation to signal his willingness to increase engagement in the IOI and to inform OM and SG Amon about the aid projects for Ukrainian refugees of the Hungarian Ombudsman's Office.Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Hungary has also been confronted with a large number of refugees from Ukraine.

OM Kozma traveled to the border region with Ukraine to personally get an overview of the situation and reported to OM Amon about his impressions and the numerous offers of help that are being provided there. OM Kozma arranged for the opening of a temporary office of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights at the Záhony border crossing, where staff provide direct humanitarian assistance and offer legal advice.

Possibilities were discussed as to how the IOI could get involved here in a supportive way. OM Amon assured OM Kozma that he would support the decision in this regard in the IOI Board. Both OM Amon and OM Kozma expressed the wish to deepen the already good cooperation in the past.

OM Kozma invited OM Amon for a two- to three-day visit to Hungary, on the one hand, to get to know the Hungarian ombudsman institution and on the other hand to get an impression of the situation in the border region with Ukraine and the work of the OCFR. OM Amon gladly accepted this invitation.