The Ombudsman, Mr. Endrit Shabani, has begun a tour of official visits to the institutions of the European Union in Brussels. This agenda of meetings focuses on the role that the Ombudsman will play in the process of Albania’s integration into the EU.

In this context, Mr. Shabani, who also holds the position of President of the Mediterranean Network of Ombudsmen (AOM), held his first meeting with the Secretary General of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI), Ms. Debbie Kohner.

During the conversation, Ms. Kohner expressed the commitment of ENNHRI, a network that unites over 50 Ombudsmen across Europe, to support Albania on its European journey. This support is essentially aimed at strengthening the role of the Ombudsman in monitoring the rule of law, strengthening democracy and protecting civic space.

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Shabani thanked Ms. Kohner for her support and assured her that the Ombudsman will continue to be a proactive actor within the European network and reconfirmed the institution's determination to protect the constitutional rights of citizens throughout this transformative process such as membership in the European Union.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, met the Auditor General of Kosovo, Madam Vlora Spanca, who is in Malta for bilateral talks with the National Audit Office of Malta.

During the meeting, the Ombudsman referred to the strong relationship between the Office of the Ombudsman in Malta and the Ombudsman Institution of Kosovo. He noted that his Office will soon host officials from the Ombudsman Institution of Kosovo for a study visit in Malta.

The Ombudsman also referred to his visit to Kosovo last December, where he as Ombudsman of Malta and Vice President of the IOI European Regional Board addressed the 25th Anniversary Conference during the first plenary session entitled “Shifting priorities. Human rights in a changing world. Perspectives from human rights networks.” In his intervention, he observed that the post war human rights framework is increasingly being challenged by force, political expediency and indifference. He emphasised that international networks of ombudsman and human rights institutions play a critical role in defending those rendered vulnerable by conflict, displacement and injustice.

During the meeting, the Ombudsman also referred to the close collaboration between the Office of the Ombudsman and the National Audit Office of Malta.

He highlighted the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two constitutional Offices, which establishes a structured framework for cooperation aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and good governance across the public sector. The agreement provides for the exchange of relevant non personal information, collaboration on joint initiatives such as research and educational activities, coordination on policy and procedural improvements, and the sharing of matters of mutual international interest, while fully respecting professional independence and confidentiality.

Reference was also made to joint outreach initiatives, including the participation of Parliament, the Office of the Ombudsman and the National Audit Office in a shared stand during MCAST Freshers’ Week. This initiative reflected the common role of the three institutions, as officers of Parliament, in promoting accountability, public engagement and democratic governance.

During the meeting, Mr Charles Deguara, Auditor General of Malta, explained that the engagement provides an important opportunity for both Supreme Audit Institutions to strengthen institutional cooperation, exchange professional experience and explore avenues for future collaboration in public sector auditing. The programme of meetings focuses on key areas of mutual professional interest, including performance auditing methodologies, practical examples of good practice, leadership and institutional governance frameworks, communication strategies and approaches to monitoring the implementation of audit recommendations.

Se trata de un conjunto de videopódcast que tienen por objetivo recuperar el sentido de la ciudad; el nombre responde al número de barrios que hay en Barcelona El primer capítulo se publicará el 13 de febrero y se ha realizado de la mano de Ràdio Hostafrancs, reuniendo a vecinas, vecinos y entidades en un diálogo abierto sobre la vida y las inquietudes en los barrios, con un tono propositivo   La Sindicatura...

AORC | Reminder: AORC Webinar on Integrating ADR for effective case resolution in Ombudsman institutions Join the African Ombudsman Research Centre, the research and training arm of the African Ombudsman and Mediators' Association, for their insightful webinar on Integrating ADR for effective case resolution in Ombudsman institutions. This event, organised in partnership with the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), will take place on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, at 10 am (GMT+2). Kindly click here for the final invitation and additional information on the speakers. » more information » más en Español » plus en Francais » google translate (Francais) » google translate (Español)
	New Zealand | Ombudsman Quarterly Review - Summer 2026 The Summer 2026 edition of the Ombudsman Quarterly Review of the Office of the National Ombudsman New Zealand is out now. Kindly click here to access it. » more information » google translate (Francais) » google translate (Español)
	ESPAÑA | La Sindicatura de Greuges de Barcelona presenta Els 73, un programa para acercar la defensoría a los barrios junto a radios comunitarias La Sindicatura de Greuges de Barcelona presenta Els 73, un programa de videopódcast pensado para explicar de manera cercana y dinámica la labor que impulsa la defensoría junto al vecindario. El proyecto también busca reforzar el vínculo con el tejido asociativo y pone en valor el papel de las radios comunitarias, generando espacios de diálogo entre entidades y agentes de cambio con el síndic de Greuges de Barcelona, David Bondia. El objetivo es acercar la Sindicatura a los barrios y a las realidades cotidianas de Barcelona. » more information » google translate » google translate (Francais)
	CANADA | Le Protecteur national de l'élève partage ses constats dans son second rapport annuel d'activités Après une deuxième année scolaire complète d'exercice de son mandat, le Protecteur national de l'élève (PNE) rend public son rapport annuel d'activités 2024-2025. » more information » google translate » google translate (Español)
	CROATIA | Conference “Who Decides? Human Rights Principles Relevant for Older Persons with Dementia” Deputy Ombudswoman Tatjana Vlašić participated in an international conference on 10 February 2026, dedicated to older persons living with dementia. The event was particularly significant because it included speakers who are themselves living with this diagnosis. » more information » google translate (Francais) » google translate (Español)
	PAKISTAN | Teacher Training Programme – Multan The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab conducted the Teachers Training Programme on 10 February 2026 at the Regional Office, Multan. With the participation of teachers from various government schools, the programme aims to build awareness among educators regarding the jurisdiction, functions, and complaint procedures of the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab. » more information » google translate (Francais) » google translate (Español)
	España | La síndica pide a la Generalitat que revise la convocatoria de 31 procesos selectivos A raíz de varias quejas recibidas, la síndica ha emitido una resolución en relación con 31 procesos selectivos convocados por la Generalitat en los que se impide a los aspirantes, a pesar de disponer de la titulación adecuada, participar en más de un proceso. La convocatoria actual limita la participación simultánea en más de un cuerpo o en más de una opción dentro de la escala correspondiente, lo que restringe las posibilidades de acceso a la función pública. » more information » google translate » google translate (Francais)
	KOSOVO | Ombudsperson Institution organizes roundtable discussion on “The Impact of the Ombudsperson in Advancing the Protection of Community Rights in Kosovo” On 20 February 2026, the Ombudsperson Institution organized a roundtable discussion in Prishtina entitled The Impact of the Ombudsperson in Advancing the Protection of Community Rights in Kosovo, in cooperation with the Advocacy Center for Democratic Culture. The event gathered representatives of public institutions, civil society organizations, international partners and community representatives to discuss progress, challenges and the way forward in ensuring the effective protection of the rights of non-majority communities. » more information » google translate (Francais) » google translate (Español)
	SOUTH KOREA | Old Complaints and Increasing Collective Conflicts Will Be Addressed, as ACRC Operates the “Collective Conflict Mediation Bureau” in Earnest Dedicated personnel under the Collective Conflict Mediation Bureau will work in line with civil counselors and conflict management officials of respective institutions to actively address age-old, habituated complaints and collective conflicts as of Jan. 27. » more information » google translate (Francais) » google translate (Español)

 

Today marks four years since the Russian Federation began its large-scale invasion of Ukraine. Four years of armed conflict have meant four years of severe and systematic human rights violations, including millions of displaced persons, thousands of lives lost and countless families still waiting for their loved ones to return from captivity or occupied territories.

Since the start of the aggression against Ukraine, international human rights organisations have warned of serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, particularly against the civilian population, including children. Reports have documented loss of life, forced displacement, the destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure, and other actions contrary to international law. In such circumstances, the role of ombudsmen and national human rights institutions is paramount: they advocate for victims, independently monitor the actions of authorities and facilitate dialogue between states and the international community. Human Rights Ombudswoman Dr Simona Drenik Bavdek expresses her solidarity with all victims of war and supports the efforts of the Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, and his colleagues. On this anniversary, she calls on the international community to continue drawing attention to the situation in Ukraine, disseminating verified information about the war's progress, and intensifying efforts to return Ukrainian citizens home.

The Ombudswoman emphasises: »Respect for human rights, international humanitarian and criminal law and international law in general is a binding legal obligation that also applies during armed conflicts. International humanitarian law and international human rights standards set out clear rules on the protection of civilians and other particularly vulnerable groups. Every life has equal value, and the suffering of civilians must remain at the heart of international efforts to achieve just and lasting peace based on the rule of law. The Ukrainian Ombudsman operates in extremely challenging circumstances, yet remains committed to protecting the dignity of every individual, even in times of war. It is imperative that the international community remains sensitive to mass human rights violations and strives to find a path to peace.«

As the national human rights institution and a member of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI), the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia supports efforts to independently document violations, protect civilians and prisoners of war in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, return illegally displaced persons and ensure accountability for crimes committed. Those responsible for violations of human rights, international humanitarian law and criminal law must be held accountable impartially and consistently.

In this regard, the Human Rights Ombudsman expresses its appreciation to Ombudsmen in neighbouring Ukrainian countries who are working to ensure respect for fundamental rights and access to basic services for displaced persons, and emphasises the urgent need for effective measures to reunite separated families.