On July 22-23, 2025, OSCE/ODIHR conducted a course on the monitoring of assemblies for the staff of the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia.

The event was opened with welcoming remarks by Levan Ioseliani, Public Defender of Georgia, and Andrew Gardner, Acting Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Human Rights Department.

The training participants deepened their knowledge and skills necessary for independent observation of public assemblies based on the proven methodology developed by OSCE/ODIHR for monitoring assemblies.

During the two-day interactive course, international experts Annette Erdman, Gerry White and Helen Close focused on the theoretical aspects of the right to peaceful assembly and human rights-compliant policing during assemblies; standards for assessing demonstrations.

On the second day of the training, the staff of the Public Defender's Office discussed complex cases and exercises in working groups, as well as tactical options available to law enforcement officers and the use of force during assemblies.

The right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed by the main international human rights treaties. In order to assist OSCE participating States in fulfilling their respective obligations, the OSCE/ODIHR has been monitoring public assemblies in the OSCE region since 2011. In addition, by using observation methodology, the organization assists national human rights institutions/ombudsman offices and civil society in strengthening their assembly monitoring capabilities and promotes cooperation and partnership building.

Volksanwältin Gaby Schwarz macht regelmäßig auf den virulenten Personalmangel in den Justizanstalten aufmerksam. Die Zahl der Insassen steigt, die des Personals nicht. Daher fordert sie eine Evaluierung des Planstellenkontingents.

“Schlechte Versorgung, erschwerte Resozialisierung und steigende Suizidzahlen sind leider Alltag in den heimischen Justizanstalten. Das sind die Folgen des virulenten Personalmangels, auf den ich seit Jahren hinweise. Die offizielle Antwort lautet dann immer ‘Alle Planstellen sind besetzt’. Das stimmt nicht mal auf dem Papier”, so Volksanwältin Gaby Schwarz. Langzeitkrankenstände und Karenzen werden nicht berücksichtigt. Zudem ist eine Pensionierungswelle absehbar. Das bedeutet einen generellen Mangel an JustizwachebeamtInnen, PsychaterInnen, SozialarbeiterInnen, ErgotherapeuthInnen etc. 

“Österreichs Haftanstalten sind auf 8.800 Häftlinge ausgelegt. Derzeit gibt es aber mehr als 9.600. Angesichts des Überbelags wäre es dringend notwendig, zu evaluieren, ob das Kontingent an Planstellen, das vor Jahren unter anderen Umständen festgesetzt wurde, den aktuellen Anforderungen entspricht. Aus meiner Sicht ist die Rechnung einfach: Wenn die Zahl der Inhaftierten steigt, muss auch die Zahl an Planstellen steigen, um einen geordneten Strafvollzug bestmöglich zu gewährleisten”, appelliert Gaby Schwarz.

The Human Rights Ombudsman (hereon: Ombudsman) has joined forces with Zavod za medgeneracijsko sodelovanje Simbioza Genesis, which operates in the field of intergenerational cooperation, volunteering, lifelong learning, and socially responsible behaviour. Among their flagship projects is the first mobile app for the elderly in Slovenia, called Magda, which brings together important content and information for the elderly all in one place. First and foremost, Magda is intended to help older people use new technologies and to familiarise them with content that helps them increase their independence, improve their awareness, and enhance their social inclusion.

Within the project of promoting rights of older people, which has been carried out by the Center for Human Rights since last year, the Ombudsman, as one of the project partners, participates in creating content and information available in the mobile app. Hence, Magda offers up-to-date news about the rights of older people, key contact and useful information about the institution of the Ombudsman, content from the brochure entitled The Elderly Have Their Rights Too, and, in app’s learning section, an interactive quiz presenting the brochure’s contents. With its presence, the Ombudsman aims to further strengthen its efforts in the field of older people’s rights and to empower older people to be aware of their rights and, in case of violations, to know how to protect their rights, seek help, and contact appropriate institutions.

Use of the mobile app is free for all users and Magda works on the principle of “everything in one place”, combining in a simple and user-friendly manner various information and content that older people need in their daily lives. The app can be downloaded to your mobile phone via the Google Play or the AppStore. More information is available here.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, delivered an engaging lecture to students attending undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at Ascencia Business School Malta. The lecture formed part of the modules Fundamental Principles of Human Resource Management (Bachelor’s), Leader as a Coach (Master’s), and Employee and Labour Relations (Master’s).

The session explored the role of the Office of the Ombudsman in Malta and how its functions although they deal with matters related to the public service and public administration can find application also in the business community. Judge Zammit McKeon explained the constitutional basis and statutory powers of the Office, and how it operates to safeguard fairness, transparency, and accountability in the public administration. He also outlined Malta’s participation in international ombudsman fora and networks such as the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and the Association of Mediterranean Ombudsmen (AOM).

Throughout the lecture, Judge Zammit McKeon emphasised that the ethos underpinning good public administration could be extended to the business world. He spoke in detail about maladministration and shared real case examples from his Office’s investigative work to illustrate the importance of institutional accountability and responsiveness. The Ombudsman also highlighted six key principles of good administration—transparency, accountability, integrity, responsiveness, efficiency and effectiveness, and inclusiveness—stressing that these values are not exclusive to public institutions but are equally critical for ethical leadership in private enterprise.

The session was structured around five thematic topics that ranged from the role and societal impact of the Ombudsman to the importance of courage and integrity in leadership, and the relevance of humility in public service and corporate management. Judge Zammit McKeon reflected on his own professional journey and offered advice to the students as they pursue their studies in Malta and prepare for future leadership roles across the globe.

The interactive discussion allowed students to engage directly with the Ombudsman, posing questions about real-world issues related to governance, law, and ethical conduct in the workplace. The lecture resonated strongly with Ascencia’s academic focus on ethical leadership, institutional accountability, and the impact of policy and regulation on employee rights and workplace fairness.

Ascencia Malta is the local campus of Ascencia Business School, a member of the Collège de Paris network, offering internationally recognised business and leadership programmes. The campus provides a global learning environment for both local and international students, preparing them for professional roles in business, technology, and governance.

The Office of the Ombudsman thanks Ascencia Business School Malta for the invitation and the opportunity to engage with students committed to making a positive impact in their future careers.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, delivered an engaging lecture to students attending undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at Ascencia Business School Malta. The lecture formed part of the modules Fundamental Principles of Human Resource Management (Bachelor’s), Leader as a Coach (Master’s), and Employee and Labour Relations (Master’s).

The session explored the role of the Office of the Ombudsman in Malta and how its functions although they deal with matters related to the public service and public administration can find application also in the business community. Judge Zammit McKeon explained the constitutional basis and statutory powers of the Office, and how it operates to safeguard fairness, transparency, and accountability in the public administration. He also outlined Malta’s participation in international ombudsman fora and networks such as the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and the Association of Mediterranean Ombudsmen (AOM).

Throughout the lecture, Judge Zammit McKeon emphasised that the ethos underpinning good public administration could be extended to the business world. He spoke in detail about maladministration and shared real case examples from his Office’s investigative work to illustrate the importance of institutional accountability and responsiveness. The Ombudsman also highlighted six key principles of good administration—transparency, accountability, integrity, responsiveness, efficiency and effectiveness, and inclusiveness—stressing that these values are not exclusive to public institutions but are equally critical for ethical leadership in private enterprise.

The session was structured around five thematic topics that ranged from the role and societal impact of the Ombudsman to the importance of courage and integrity in leadership, and the relevance of humility in public service and corporate management. Judge Zammit McKeon reflected on his own professional journey and offered advice to the students as they pursue their studies in Malta and prepare for future leadership roles across the globe.

The interactive discussion allowed students to engage directly with the Ombudsman, posing questions about real-world issues related to governance, law, and ethical conduct in the workplace. The lecture resonated strongly with Ascencia’s academic focus on ethical leadership, institutional accountability, and the impact of policy and regulation on employee rights and workplace fairness.

Ascencia Malta is the local campus of Ascencia Business School, a member of the Collège de Paris network, offering internationally recognised business and leadership programmes. The campus provides a global learning environment for both local and international students, preparing them for professional roles in business, technology, and governance.

The Office of the Ombudsman thanks Ascencia Business School Malta for the invitation and the opportunity to engage with students committed to making a positive impact in their future careers.

Intervista al Presidente del Coordinamento Nazionale dei Difensori Civici delle Regioni e delle Province Autonome e Difensore Civico della Regione Lazio

Domanda: Presidente Fardelli, l’evento UCR2025, che si è svolto a Roma il 10 e 11 luglio 2025, ha riunito rappresentanti delle istituzioni italiane, ucraine ed europee in un momento cruciale per la ricostruzione del Paese. Qual è il bilancio di queste due intense giornate?

Risposta: Il bilancio è estremamente positivo. UCR2025 non è stato solo un evento istituzionale, ma un ponte concreto tra popoli, diritti e valori democratici. In un contesto di guerra e di ricostruzione, l’Italia ha voluto lanciare un messaggio forte e inequivocabile: non ci può essere ricostruzione materiale senza ricostruzione umana, senza un sistema solido di garanzie, senza il rispetto dei diritti, della legalità e della partecipazione democratica. Abbiamo aperto un dialogo strutturato che mette al centro la persona, i bisogni delle comunità e la forza delle istituzioni indipendenti.

Uno dei temi centrali è stato proprio il ruolo della difesa civica. Come può il Difensore civico contribuire a questo processo?

Il Difensore civico è, per natura, una sentinella dei diritti e un promotore di dialogo istituzionale. Nell’attuale fase storica, il suo contributo può essere determinante per rafforzare le democrazie e accompagnare l’Ucraina nel consolidamento delle sue istituzioni di garanzia. In questo quadro, abbiamo avviato una collaborazione con il Business Ombudsman Council dell’Ucraina, rappresentato da Roman Waschuk e dalla Vice Business Ombudsman Tetiana Korotka, che ha portato all’organizzazione di una mattinata di lavoro dedicata alla condivisione di buone pratiche, alla formazione e al supporto tecnico-operativo per la tutela dei cittadini e delle imprese.

Quali testimonianze l’hanno colpita di più durante UCR2025?

Sono molte. Mi ha colpito profondamente la presenza di diversi sindaci ucraini, desiderosi di costruire gemellaggi operativi con amministratori italiani, con l’obiettivo di promuovere scambi concreti e cooperazione locale. E, naturalmente, la partecipazione del Commissario per i Diritti Umani del Parlamento ucraino, Mr. Dmytro Lubinets, che ha portato un’esperienza unica e drammatica: il suo impegno instancabile sul fronte dei diritti umani, dello scambio dei prigionieri di guerra e del sostegno alle famiglie dei militari è un esempio potente di difesa civica in tempo di conflitto.

Ha raccontato con forza il lavoro quotidiano svolto nei territori colpiti dalle bombe, dove raccoglie le denunce della popolazione e garantisce l’accesso ai servizi essenziali. Ma anche le voci italiane, come quelle dei miei colleghi Difensori civici regionali, tra cui Guido Giusti, Vicepresidente del Coordinamento e Difensore civico dell’Emilia-Romagna, e Marco Enrico, Difensore civico della Sardegna, hanno testimoniato un impegno che va oltre la solidarietà formale: è un investimento nei valori europei condivisi, nella legalità, nella coesione civile.

Dopo questo primo passo importante, cosa succede ora?

Ora inizia la parte più importante: la continuità. UCR2025 non è stato un evento isolato, ma l’avvio di un tavolo di lavoro permanente, con incontri trimestrali, che coinvolgeranno i Difensori Civici italiani e ucraini, i rappresentanti delle istituzioni europee, i garanti dei diritti e le organizzazioni della società civile. Vogliamo passare dalle parole ai fatti, costruendo insieme progetti di cooperazione, percorsi di formazione, tutela giuridica, educazione civica e scambio istituzionale.

È tempo di unire le nostre esperienze per creare nuove alleanze a difesa della dignità umana e dei diritti fondamentali. Lo dobbiamo ai cittadini, e lo dobbiamo alla pace.