The Parliamentary Ombudsman of Malta, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, participated in the first meeting between the European Regional Board of the International Ombudsman Institute and the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) that was held in the Agora Building of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. Judge Zammit McKeon attended the meeting in his capacity as Vice President of the IOI European Regional Board.

The meeting brought together representatives of both organisations to discuss opportunities for closer collaboration, exchange of practices, and joint efforts in addressing evolving challenges in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Opening the meeting, the President of the IOI European Region and National Ombudsman of the Netherlands, Reinier van Zutphen, underlined that the objectives of the two organisations are closely aligned. He stressed the importance of exploring practical ways of strengthening cooperation and building resilience in the face of growing challenges to human rights and democratic governance.

The Chair of ENNHRI, Louise Holck, Director of the Danish Institute for Human Rights, noted that developments in the international landscape in recent months have created new pressures on human rights institutions. She emphasised that cooperation between institutions allows for shared learning and strengthens the collective capacity to respond to similar challenges across Europe.

During the discussion, Judge Zammit McKeon referred to the forthcoming entry into force of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum on 12 June. He noted that the new framework places ombudsman institutions and national human rights institutions at the centre of the monitoring mechanisms established under the Pact. This development, he said, increases the responsibility of institutions with oversight and human rights mandates to ensure that the rights of vulnerable persons are properly safeguarded.

The Ombudsman also emphasised the importance of strengthening public awareness so that individuals, particularly those in vulnerable situations, are better informed about their rights.

Both organisations agreed on the value of continued dialogue and cooperation and expressed their intention to hold similar exchanges on a regular basis.

For the IOI European Regional Board, the meeting was also attended by Board Member Maria Stylianou Lottides, Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights of Cyprus, and Olena Kolobrodova, representing the Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights of Ukraine.

For the ENNHRI Board, participants included Board Member Simona Drenik Bavdek, Human Rights Ombudswoman of Slovenia, and Marta Gattini from the ENNHRI Secretariat.

Strasbourg, 12 March 2026 – The People’s Advocate of Albania is participating in the second edition of the Council of Europe High-Level Forum with Ombudsmen and National Human Rights Institutions, known as the “CoE ON ​​Forum”.

This two-day event, which takes place at the premises of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, is organized in cooperation with the European Court of Human Rights.

This year’s meeting is part of the “New Democratic Pact for Europe” and addresses the critical role that Ombudsmen play in protecting democracy.

Some of the main topics to which the Albanian delegation is contributing include:

Protecting democratic processes: Addressing foreign interference and maintaining the balance of powers.

Fundamental freedoms: The inextricable link between human rights and democratic stability, with a focus on freedom of expression and assembly.

Strengthening Institutions: Sharing Best Practices to Ensure Independent Institutions Remain the Shield of the Rule of Law.

During these two days, the Ombudsman will hold high-level meetings at the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

The Ombudsman’s participation in this Forum reconfirms Albania’s commitment to aligning national human rights protection standards with European ones, particularly at a time of global challenges to democracy.

On March 9, 2026, representatives of the Equality and Gender Departments of the Public Defender's Office of Georgia - Mariam Botchorishvili and Gvantsa Kharatishvili - participated in an event organized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which was dedicated to the rights of refugee and migrant women and girls and legal mechanisms for protection against discrimination.

As part of the event, representatives of the Public Defender introduced the participants to the mandate of the Public Defender, Georgian legislation on gender equality, and the mechanisms for protecting victims of discrimination, including victims of gender-based violence. The meeting focused on women's rights, services available to victims of violence in the country, the principle of equality and various forms of discrimination, which are particularly relevant for women and girls with migration experience.

The event was held within the framework of International Women's Day, the theme of which this year was "Rights, Justice, Action For All Women and Girls" and its goal was to raise awareness among refugee and migrant women and girls about their rights, introduce them to existing legal mechanisms and share practices.

The Public Defender of Georgia considers it important to protect the rights of refugee and migrant women and girls and to promote their empowerment and will continue to work to strengthen their equality and prevent discrimination.

Grazie all’ingresso di un nuovo collaboratore nel team della Difensora civica Veronika Meyer, sono di nuovo attivate le consulenze in lingua ladina.

La Difesa civica offre nuovamente consulenza in lingua ladina. Il servizio si rivolge principalmente a cittadine e cittadini che necessitano di supporto in conflitti con l'amministrazione pubblica.

Le ore di consulenza si svolgono regolarmente a San Martino in Badia e ad Ortisei; sono possibili, inoltre, appuntamenti nelle sedi di Bolzano, Bressanone e Brunico, nonché consulenze telefoniche. Per fissare un appuntamento basta chiamare il numero 0471.946020 o inviare una e-mail all'indirizzo posta@difesacivica.bz.it. A St. Martino in Badia, l'8 maggio verrà inserita un'ora di consulenza aggiuntiva.

Le consulenze in ladino sono possibili grazie all’ingresso nel team della Difensora civica Veronika Meyer di un nuovo collaboratore di lingua ladina: Matthias Plazza, di Rina, è laureato in Giurisprudenza con studi a Innsbruck e Padova e ha lavorato in uno studio legale a Bolzano; nel tempo libero, fa parte di diverse bande musicali ed è maestro del coro “Antervoisis" ad Antermoia.

DC