BackThe International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) expresses its deep concern for the plight of the civilian population in Ukraine and appal at the devastation brought by the war.
The community of Ombudsman institutions, as represented by the IOI, dedicated to promoting and protecting the rule of law and human rights, strongly and unequivocally condemns the use of force in settling international disputes and urges all parties involved to fully respect their international obligations. We support all efforts to achieve a de-escalation of hostilities in Ukraine.
We further appeal for the immediate provision of emergency services and the development of appropriate and fully operational reception centres for refugees and displaced people, offering medical and health services, psychological support, adequate housing and meals; services aiming to reunite families; and the monitoring of detention conditions and treatment of both civilians and combatants, in accordance with UN (CAT and OPCAT) and Council of Europe (CPT) standards and international law.
We offer our strongest support to our Ombudsman colleague, and deeply valued member of the IOI, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, in her courageous work within her institutional remit to assist the citizens of the Ukraine so severely affected by the armed conflict; especially the most vulnerable amongst them, including the displaced, the homeless, refugees, the elderly, children and the disabled. We also stand with the Ukrainian Business Council Ombudsman and salute the bravery of his team.
We also strongly support our Ombudsman colleagues in the countries neighbouring Ukraine in their work to safeguard the fundamental rights of refugees crossing their respective borders.
