The Ombudswoman of Croatia, Tena Šimonović Einwalter, participated in the roundtable discussion titled “Military Service in the 21st Century: Justification, Challenges, and Alternatives”, held on February 17, 2025, in the Croatian Parliament.

The roundtable was organized to encourage discussion on mandatory military service in the context of contemporary security challenges and societal needs, its impact on young people, citizens’ rights and obligations, and possible alternatives. The Ombudswoman was invited to provide a constitutional and legal analysis of the introduction of mandatory military service—whether it aligns with young people’s rights, potential risks of discrimination, and the legal framework for conscientious objection and alternative civilian service.

In her introductory remarks, the Ombudswoman noted that due to the changing security circumstances, this topic is being increasingly discussed across Europe, leading to shifts in comparison with the previous periods. She pointed out that discussions about the possible reintroduction of mandatory military service have been present in Croatian public discourse for some time. However, since there is no concrete legislative proposal yet, detailed discussions on specific provisions are currently not possible. Nevertheless, discussions on the legal framework and the obligations, as well as de lege ferenda considerations regarding what such legislation might look like, are warranted in light of the ongoing debate.

She emphasized that such an important issue must be discussed and decided upon at the highest levels and in appropriate forums. While not all aspects of military and defense preparedness are matters for broad public debate, the question of introducing mandatory military service must be presented and discussed publicly. This discussion must include aspects of human rights and equality, and young people—who are directly affected by this issue—must be actively involved.

The Ombudswoman highlighted that from a human rights perspective, military service raises concerns about potential limitations on the right to work and education. Regarding the proposed duration of the service, she noted that a shorter period is preferable in terms of limiting the impact on these rights. However, she also pointed out that a short service period might undermine the intended purpose of introducing mandatory military service. The legal framework should also consider possible deferrals and the reasons for granting them.

Concerning the risks of discrimination, she outlined several potential grounds, including age, disability, health status, gender, and particularly religion or belief. Regarding gender equality, she referred to Article 47, Paragraph 1 of the Croatian Constitution, which states that military service and the defense of Croatia are duties of all citizens capable of fulfilling them. At the same time, Article 14 of the Constitution guarantees equal rights and freedoms regardless of gender. This raises the question of gender equality in the context of the mandatory military service for men. She expressed regret that the Constitutional Court has not yet ruled on the 2022 request to assess whether the Defense Act is discriminatory based on gender regarding the obligation of military service for men.

One of the most critical human rights aspects of mandatory military service is conscientious objection, which is explicitly recognized in the Croatian Constitution and must therefore be guaranteed. She explained that freedom of thought, conscience, and religion is a fundamental human right protected by the Croatian Constitution and various international treaties, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the European Convention on Human Rights. Article 40 of the Croatian Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and religion, while Article 47, Paragraph 2 explicitly allows

conscientious objection for individuals who, due to their religious or moral beliefs, are unwilling to perform military duties in the armed forces. These individuals must fulfill alternative duties as prescribed by law.

She noted that conscientious objection is not an absolute right, but any restrictions on it may raise concerns about discrimination based on religion or belief. Furthermore, she stressed that individuals who exercise their right to conscientious objection should not face penalties. For example, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that alternative civilian service should not exceed 1.5 times the duration of the standard military service. She emphasized that if mandatory military service is introduced, conscientious objection must be guaranteed, and the key issue will be determining the specific process—whether proof of conscientious objection will be required, what form it might take, and who would decide on such cases.

Since little is currently known about the proposed system of civilian service, including its infrastructure, rights, and restrictions, the Ombudswoman stated that, in principle, it would be beneficial for civilian service to focus on socially useful engagement, particularly in civil protection and preparedness for various potential disasters.

In addition to Ombudswoman Šimonović Einwalter, the roundtable organized by the Možemo! party parliamentary club also featured participation from Croatian Parliament members Ivana Kekin, Sandra Benčić, and Rada Borić; Marta Zorko from the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Zagreb and the Croatian Military Academy; military analyst Igor Tabak; Josip Miličević, Sandra Rozman Papak, and Marin Živković from the Croatian Youth Network; Hrvoje Marković from the Center for Economic Education; and Marina Mlakar from the Zagreb Youth Council and the Status M association.

Am Mittwoch, den 05. März 2025 um 10 Uhr, wird der Petitionsausschuss eine öffentliche Ortsbesichtigung in Krenzow (Amt Züssow) durchführen. Anlass dieses Termins ist die Beschwerde eines Anwohners, der den Zustand der Kreisstraße zwischen Krenzow und Zarrentin kritisiert und insbesondere fordert, den Kopfsteinbelag in der Ortsdurchfahrt Krenzow zu erneuern. Denn aufgrund der schlechten Straßenverhältnisse seien schon mehrere Fahrzeuge beschädigt worden und hätten dadurch Öl verloren, das ungehindert in den Boden geflossen sei.

Auch der Landkreis Vorpommern-Greifswald als zuständiger Straßenbaulastträger stellte Handlungsbedarf fest und bereitete bereits eine grundhafte Erneuerung vor. Aufgrund naturschutzfachlicher Bedenken wurden diese Planungen jedoch mittlerweile eingestellt, weil die Straßenbaumaßnahme nach Angaben des Landkreises den Baumbestand an der Ortsdurchfahrt gefährden würde. Zudem sind nach Bewertung des Landkreises Alternativen mit einem vertretbaren wirtschaftlichen Aufwand nicht umsetzbar. Der Landkreis hat daher unter Abwägung aller widerstreitenden Interessen entschieden, von der geplanten Erneuerung abzusehen und bei der Ortsdurchfahrt Instandhaltungsmaßnahmen durchzuführen.

Die Abgeordneten möchten sich nun in Krenzow einen Überblick von der Situation verschaffen. „Wir können uns vor Ort ein wesentlich besseres Bild von der Sachlage machen als am „grünen Tisch“ in Schwerin.“, so Thomas Krüger, Vorsitzender des Petitionsausschusses. „Außerdem gibt uns die Ortbesichtigung die Gelegenheit, zusammen mit dem Petenten und den beteiligten Behörden nach Möglichkeiten zu suchen, wie die Verkehrssicherheit auf dem betreffenden Straßenabschnitt verbessert werden kann.“, so der Vorsitzende.

Die öffentliche Ortsbesichtigung beginnt um 10 Uhr, Treffpunkt ist der Dorfteich in Krenzow.

La síndica espera que la medida se extienda en breve a todas las personas que se encuentran en la misma situación
 

El Departamento de Derechos Sociales e Inclusión ha comunicado hoy a la síndica de greuges de Cataluña las primeras resoluciones en las que se desiste de reclamar los pagos indebidos que algunas personas recibieron en concepto de renta garantizada de ciudadanía.

La síndica, Esther Giménez-Salinas, se muestra satisfecha porque, con estas decisiones, "se pone fin al sufrimiento sobrevenido de miles de personas que veían amenazada su ya precaria economía familiar".

Además, "restauran una situación de angustia sobrevenida y van en la buena dirección, en el sentido de que la Administración debe asumir sus propias ineficiencias y gestionar la solución sin perjudicar a los ciudadanos". Así mismo, la síndica alerta que estos errores suponen más dinero a los contribuyentes.

El pasado octubre, a raíz de las quejas recibidas, la institución pidió al Departamento que evitara exigir la devolución económica en aquellos casos en los que la Administración no había sido diligente a la hora de modificar la cuantía del pago y en los que las personas afectadas no habían tenido un papel activo en el error de la Administración.

La síndica espera que en las próximas semanas se confirme que se aplicará la misma medida a miles de personas que se encuentran en una situación similar, lo que, por otra parte, es coherente con la jurisprudencia del Tribunal Europeo de Derechos Humanos.

Speech - Speaker Teresa Anjinho - City Luxembourg - Country Luxembourg - Date Thursday | 27 February 2025

Monsieur le Président de la Cour de Justice, Mesdames et

Messieurs les Membres des Cours de Justice et de la Cour des Comptes Européenne,

Mesdames et Messieurs les Ambassadeurs, chers invités,

Standing before you today as the newly elected European Ombudsman, I am deeply honoured to take this oath – an oath of service, independence, integrity, transparency and unwavering commitment to the people of our Union.

I am conscious of my primary mission and cardinal duty: to stand for the rights of the citizens of our cherished Europe. These rights are enshrined in the Treaties and in the Charter, but they are more than proclamations. They are the core of European integration and the identity of the European Union.

This is a solemn moment. One that signals not only the profound responsibility of the role I am about to assume, but also the importance of the office I have been entrusted to lead.

I am privileged to address you today in this Court of Justice, which is a cornerstone of our European Union Law. And I am profoundly grateful to the European Parliament for the confidence placed in me, in my vision and in my project for the European Ombudsman. The democratic mandate I have been given is not only the main source of my legitimacy, but the permanent alert of the high responsibility of this office.

This occasion is also a moment that invites reflection - on the path that brought me here, as well as on the choices that shaped our Union, strengthened our institutions, and given meaning to the very idea of European citizenship.

There are two milestones that I find especially fitting to highlight – one of them, forgive me, for its personal significance.

Forty years ago, Portugal joined the European Union.

Thirty years ago, the European Ombudsman was created.

At first glance, these two events may seem unrelated. But, to me, they are profoundly connected.

When Portugal joined the then European Communities, re-joining its natural and historical family, it did so with a clear and powerful dream: a dream of democracy, of freedom, of a shared prosperity that would open new doors for its citizens. For the Portuguese people – my generation included -, it was the beginning of a renewed belonging: what we proudly call today Europeans.  

A decade later, the establishment of the European Ombudsman, following the Maastricht Treaty, sought to bring that same dream a lived reality. The first elected European Ombudsman, Jacob Söderman, set out with a clear purpose: to ensure that European citizenship was not just an abstract concept written into the Treaty, but a living one – one that guaranteed citizen’s rights, upheld transparency and accountability in European institutions, and gave governance a human face.

It is because of the decisions made 40 and 30 years ago, that I stand before you today as a Portuguese and European citizen, and as the newly elected European Ombudsman.

Being European gave me opportunity. Shaped my path. It allowed me to serve. And now, it gives me the chance to give back— rooted in my personal, academic, political and professional journey- to ensure that every citizen in the European Union, regardless of background, status, or origin, is heard, respected, and treated with fairness.

Mesdames et Messieurs,

The role of the Ombudsman has never been more vital.

We face a troubling deficit of trust. Many citizens feel unheard, disconnected, decoupled from the very institutions meant to represent them. Increasingly, the EU’s institutional framework is perceived not as enabler of their aspirations, but as an obstacle. Too often, people fear that the system is not serving as it should.

Governance struggles to keep pace with the rapid changes of our world. And there are no simple answers. Institutions must – indeed – become more empathetic, accessible and responsive, but they must do so without losing sight of their core principles and purpose, which made them solid in the first place.

It is my strong belief that, more often than not, trust in governance erodes not because people reject rules, but because they do not understand them – or worse, feel left behind by them.

Mesdames et Messieurs,

These are times of great uncertainty, that remind me a passage of the book ‘Os Maias’, written by one of the greatest Portuguese writers, Eça de Queirós:

‘Wish for nothing, and fear for nothing… Don’t give into hope — or disappointment. Accept everything that comes, and that which escapes, with the same calmness that you embrace the natural changes of harsh days and fair days.’

This is not a call for resignation. It is a call for resilience. For steadiness. For principled action.

It is a reminder that true service – whether as Ombudsman, as a judge, as a Member of the European Parliament, or an official of the EU - must be guided not by fleeting emotions, but by thoughtful reason and an unwavering commitment to our values, rooted in empathy, compassion, and a common sense of humanity.

I am convinced that achieving this begins with empowering citizens.

Handling individual complaints is the cornerstone of the Ombudsman’s work. Not mere paperwork. Complaints are the voices of real people who – whether or not they know the intricacies of the law – seek fairness, clarity and redress. They reflect the belief that, within the complexity of European governance, there remains an office willing and able to listen - without filters, without barriers - to their concerns. An office whose power – and uniqueness -, primarily based on law, lies in the ability to champion material justice, transcending legal formalities to restore fairness, integrity and trust.

My commitment is to make this process even more accessible, efficient, and responsive — especially for those who are most vulnerable or underrepresented. In doing so, we act as true bridge-builders, helping the citizens, but also the institutions and the dedicated individuals who serve within them – often carrying the weight of decisions made without sufficient reflection or foresight.

At the same time, it is also paramount to anticipate and confront the challenges ahead, in particular the ones deriving from digital transformation. It is clear that the relationship between citizens and institutions – the private and the public - is being re-shaped.

It offers remarkable opportunities, that I want to benefit – but also brings recognisable risks, that I want to address.

As governance evolves, one thing must remain certain: fundamental rights must never pay the price of progress.

That is why, under my mandate, I will also use own-initiative inquiries not just reactively, but proactively and strategically - to enhance transparency, eliminate inefficiencies, and ensure ethical governance. Many challenges we face are not isolated incidents. They are systemic issues. And where problems persist, the European Ombudsman’s role is clear: not just to respond, but to act. To help institutions reflect, improve, and, when necessary, reform. 

But, of course, none of this can be achieved alone.

To truly serve citizens, the Ombudsman must also forge strong partnerships – collaborating with national Ombudsmen, civil society, academia, and all those who share our commitment to justice and accountability. This, also reflects the growing reality of a common space where public administration – whether national or European - is increasingly a shared responsibility and concern.

Citizens do not expect excuses. They expect solutions. And only through dialogue and cooperation we can deliver them.

Mesdames et Messieurs,

Before I conclude, I wish to take a moment to thank my family – here represented by my husband - and of course my friends, whose unwavering support has been my greatest source of strength. Their belief in me is a constant reminder of the power of community, the importance of service, and the weight of responsibility—values that lie at the heart of the role I am taking up today.

As I take on this mission, I draw inspiration from Infante D. Henrique, one of Portugal’s greatest figures, whose motto “Talent de bien faire”— the talent of doing good - has become my compass in unchartered waters.

With that same spirit, I pledge today to serve with courage, independence, and integrity. To always act in the best interest of citizens. To ensure that our institutions remain fair, transparent, and worthy of the trust placed in them.

Together, let us strengthen our Union, empower our citizens, and uphold the values that bind us.

Thank you. Obrigada.

Teresa Anjinho

Luxembourg, 27.02.2025