Am 2. und 3. Oktober 2025 lud die Volksanwaltschaft zum jährlichen D-A-CH-Treffen nach Wien in die Volksanwaltschaft ein. Seit 2014 treffen sich die Nationalen Präventionsmechanismen zur Verhütung von Folter aus dem deutschsprachigen Raum. Vertreterinnen und Vertreter aus Deutschland, Österreich, der Schweiz (kurz D-A-CH) und Luxemburg tauschten sich zu aktuellen Best-Practice-Beispielen und Herausforderungen in der Folterprävention aus.

Dieses Jahr lag der Schwerpunkt auf der psychiatrischen Versorgung von Personen in Haft. Die Vertreterinnen und Vertreter aus allen Ländern berichteten gleichermaßen über einen Mangel an Fachpersonal sowie Überbelag. Das führt dazu, dass Personen mit erhöhtem Betreuungsbedarf für längere Zeiten in Einzelhaft abgesondert werden. Dadurch verschlimmert sich häufig der psychische Zustand der Betroffenen. 

Die Volksanwaltschaft stellte zu diesem Thema ihren aktuellen Prüfschwerpunkt „Besonderer Betreuungsbedarf von Personen mit psychischen Auffälligkeiten außerhalb des Maßnahmenvollzugs“ für Justizanstalten vor. Außerdem gab es einen ausführlichen Vortrag der Volksanwaltschaft über die Methodik der Erarbeitung von bundesweiten Prüfschwerpunkten. 

Das Treffen wurde mit einem Follow-Up-Vortrag beendet: Beim D-A-CH Treffen des vergangenen Jahres in Berlin wurde unter anderen über die menschenrechtliche Überwachung während Fußballspielen berichtet. Ein Vertreter der Volksanwaltschaft gab anschließend zu diesem Thema einen Vortrag über die Vorgehensweise der Volksanwaltschaft. 

Die Diskussionen sowie der intensive Austausch zwischen den Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmern verliefen lebhaft und erwiesen sich als wertvoll für die fachliche Arbeit. Das nächste D-A-CH Treffen findet 2026 voraussichtlich in der Schweiz statt.  

The Parliamentary Ombudsman of Malta, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, met Ms Leanne Smith, Chief Executive of the Australian Human Rights Commission, at the Office of the Ombudsman in Valletta.

During the meeting, the Ombudsman gave an overview of the institution’s functions and explained the Office’s ongoing efforts to advocate for Malta to establish a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI). He outlined the process through which the Office of the Ombudsman drafted and submitted a new Ombudsman Bill to Government in November 2024. The proposed legislation would widen the institution’s current remit to include the promotion and protection of human rights in line with the Paris Principles.

Judge Zammit McKeon also spoke about the upcoming international conference being organised by the Office of the Ombudsman in October 2025 to commemorate its 30th anniversary. One of the key panels at the conference, “Protecting the Vulnerable – The Role of the Ombudsman in Upholding Human Rights,” will feature several prominent speakers from the international Ombudsman and human rights community.

Ms Smith provided an overview of the work of the Australian Human Rights Commission, which serves as the country’s NHRI. She explained that the Commission investigates and conciliates human rights and discrimination complaints, advises government and parliament on human rights law and policy, raises awareness through national education and outreach campaigns, and conducts research and inquiries into systemic issues. The Commission also works with courts as amicus curiae in discrimination cases, provides guidance to employers on diversity and inclusion, and delivers international training programmes across the Asia-Pacific region. Additionally, the Commission monitors Australia’s compliance with its international human rights obligations and reports independently to the United Nations.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to cooperation and exchange between institutions. The Ombudsman remarked that “the observance of human rights comes from a caring society—if we stop caring, then there is a real risk.”

Nella cornice della Sala Tinozzi del Palazzo della Provincia di Pescara, si è svolto venerdì 03 Ottobre 2025 il primo appuntamento delle “Giornate di studio della Difesa Civica regionale”, organizzato dal Difensore Civico della Regione Abruzzo, Umberto Di Primio. L’incontro, parte di un percorso dedicato a valorizzare le esperienze e le buone pratiche della Difesa Civica, ha avuto come tema centrale:
“Conosci le Istituzioni…Conosci i Tuoi Diritti. Trent’anni di Difesa Civica in Abruzzo – Il silenzio della Pubblica Amministrazione: conseguenze e rimedi”, con l’obiettivo di approfondire le criticità e i rimedi legati all’accesso ai diritti dei cittadini.

Alla giornata hanno preso parte autorevoli rappresentanti istituzionali e giuridici:

• Nazario Pagano, Presidente della Prima Commissione della Camera dei Deputati;
• Marino Fardelli, Presidente del Coordinamento Nazionale dei Difensori Civici delle Regioni e Province Autonome Italiane;
• Giacomo Bernardi, Difensore Civico della Provincia autonoma di Trento;
• Angela Erspamer, Segretario del Comune di Montesilvano;
• Annarita Mantini, Procuratore Aggiunto presso la Procura della Repubblica di Pescara;
• Vincenzo di Baldassarre, Presidente TAR Abruzzo – Sezione Pescara.

“Sono estremamente soddisfatto di questa prima giornata di studio – ha dichiarato Umberto Di Primio Difensore Civico della Regione Abruzzo – che ci ha permesso di confrontarci con esperti e istituzioni sul tema del silenzio della pubblica amministrazione e delle sue conseguenze sui cittadini. Iniziative come questa rafforzano il ruolo della difesa civica e dimostrano quanto sia importante condividere esperienze e buone pratiche per garantire i diritti di tutti.”

L’evento ha rappresentato un’occasione significativa di dialogo e confronto sul ruolo della Difesa Civica, sulla tutela dei diritti dei cittadini e sulle buone pratiche regionali, con un focus particolare sulle criticità derivanti dal silenzio della Pubblica Amministrazione.

Marino Fardelli – Presidente del Coordinamento Nazionale, ha così dichiarato:
“Queste giornate di studio confermano quanto la difesa civica rappresenti un presidio fondamentale per i cittadini e per la trasparenza della pubblica amministrazione. Ringrazio calorosamente i colleghi abruzzesi per l’ospitalità e l’impegno nell’organizzazione di un evento così importante, che valorizza le esperienze regionali e rafforza la rete nazionale dei Difensori Civici.”

Il Coordinamento Nazionale dei Difensori Civici conferma il proprio impegno a promuovere iniziative di formazione e scambio di esperienze tra le diverse realtà regionali, rafforzando la tutela dei diritti dei cittadini in tutto il territorio nazionale.

El Defensor del Pueblo, Ángel Gabilondo, ha asistido este martes al desayuno informativo Nueva Economía Fórum ofrecido por la presidenta de Cruz Roja Española, María del Mar Pageo.

Durante su intervención la presidenta de Cruz Roja, que ha sido presentada por el presidente de Cáritas Española, Manuel Bretón, ha hecho un llamamiento para mantener la “sociedad humanitaria”. Así, ha asegurado que “estamos en un momento clave para plantearnos si queremos vivir en una sociedad humanitaria” y ha destacado que tenemos “la responsabilidad” de no caminar hacia la “deshumanización”.

Entre los asistentes al desayuno se encontraban el presidente de la Once, Miguel Carballeda, y la directora general de Protección Civil, Virginia Barcones.

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) is concerned about the recent amendment to the Constitution of the Slovak Republic. The amendment introduces provisions that may conflict with the shared values and legal obligations underpinning the European Union. The constitutional changes risk undermining the principles of equality, human dignity, and respect for fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, as well as the commitments Member States have undertaken under the Treaty on European Union.

FRA recalls that by acceding to the European Union (EU), Member States have freely and voluntarily committed themselves to the shared values set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) – respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Constitutional changes that risk limiting equality or other fundamental rights challenge these common values and may weaken their protection across the Union.

The Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, in its recent urgent opinion, warned that amendments referring to “national identity”, particularly in relation to “fundamental cultural and ethical issues”, must not provide grounds for discriminatory treatment and must remain consistent with the state’s duties under ECHR and EU law.

These developments are of particular concern for the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, which have come under pressure in other parts of the EU as well. They emerge against the backdrop of an already dire situation for LGBTIQ+ people in Slovakia. Evidence from FRA’s EU LGBTIQ Survey (2024) points to an increase of hate-motivated violence, harassment, and discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people in the country. Trans, non-binary and gender diverse, and intersex people are disproportionately affected.

The rights of LGBTIQ+ people have also come under pressure in other parts of the EU. Restrictions on parental rights for same sex couples, bans on LGBTIQ+ contents in schools, and restrictions on civil society work and the right to peaceful assembly have been imposed in several EU Member States. Such developments risk undermining the gradual progress enjoyed by some groups, and the increase of social acceptance of same-sex couples, as shown by recent FRA and Eurobarometer surveys.

In this context, FRA raises the following specific concerns:

• The amendment provides that only married couples, namely a man and a woman who are married (or in certain other specified legally recognised relationship) may adopt a child. This poses clear risks to the fundamental rights of same-sex couples. For instance, it restricts their right to form a family (C-127/08 Metock), and their freedom of movement by making it harder to move freely as a family across the EU (C-673/16 Coman).
• The amendment recognises only the “biologically determined sexes of male and female". This definition ignores the lived experiences of transgender, non-binary, gender diverse and intersex people, and may lead to discrimination and violations of their fundamental rights.
• The amendment introduces a requirement for parental consent for a child's participation in sex education. At a time when bullying and harassment of LGBTIQ+ people are frequent across the EU, such restrictions can make it harder for schools to provide objective, reliable and age-appropriate information. This can help promote understanding and respect and prevent hate and violence in schools.

FRA calls on EU Member States to:

• Ensure that all laws affecting LGBTIQ+ people are developed and implemented in full compliance with fundamental rights, and with EU and international law. Laws and measures should respond to the experiences of LGBTIQ+ people highlighted in FRA’s EU LGBTIQ Survey, and must ensure effective protection of their rights.
• Guarantee that the best interests of the child are prioritised in all decisions affecting children. This principle should be enshrined in the design and implementation of legislation and public policies, as required by the Charter and confirmed by the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU).
• Balance conditions on sex education with the state's obligation to provide accessible, objective, and non-discriminatory education, and with the right of the child to receive information essential for their well-being and development, which is guaranteed by the Charter.
• Examine the impact of national legislation on international legal obligations, to avoid and address potential incoherence, fragmentation and legal uncertainty, which may undermine the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights.
• Ensure effective legislative scrutiny and public consultation in the adoption of such measures, including with the EU, and national human rights and child protection bodies.

FRA also calls on EU institutions to:

• Act decisively to address the urgent need to protect fundamental rights under threat across the Union.
• ensure the effective implementation of rulings of the Court of Justice of the EU and the full respect of EU law.