The Bureau of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) met from 1 to 3 November, to review developments and progress made since its last meeting in March 2017, and outline the way forward for the organization in 2018. 

Hosted in San José, Costa Rica, by the Defensoria de los Habitantes, the meeting brought together representatives of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) from all regions around the world, involving also representatives from partners from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Vice President Ana Helena Chacón of the Republic of Costa Rica and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Alejandro Solano addressed the ceremony preceding the opening of the Bureau meeting.

Croatian ombudswoman and ENNHRI Chair, Lora Vidović, took part at the meeting. She referred to ENNHRI's General Assembly which is to take place on 29th November. At the General assembly a number of international stakeholders will gather to define future strategic and institutionalized engagement between the EU and NHRIs.

Bureau members adopted the 2018 implementation plan setting out priorities for the year ahead on eight key thematic focus areas in relation to: conflict and post-conflict; shrinking democratic space and human rights defenders; business and human rights; combating gender-based discrimination; the rights of older persons; the rights of persons with disabilities; refugees, migrants and IDPs; and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Participants also reviewed alarming trends, in all regions of the world, of shrinking democratic space and reprisals, threats and other acts of intimidation against human rights defenders and NHRIs.

In a number of countries around the globe, NHRIs face threats and reprisals for their work to promote and protect fundamental rights and for holding governments to account for their international human rights obligations, in accordance with their legal human rights mandate.

The meeting reviewed cases of reprisals and examined the role of GANHRI and its regional networks, OHCHR, UNDP and others to support NHRIs under threat and to promote their independence.

"Reprisals against human rights defenders, including NHRIs, are unacceptable and must be addressed to protect the work of human rights defenders and the integrity and independence of NHRIs” said GANHRI Chairperson Prof Dr Beate Rudolf, during the meeting.

"As global alliance of NHRIs, our role is to mobilise support for members facing such threats, and to stress to governments the need for NHRIs to perform their duties with independence and impartiality, without interference."

Against this backdrop Bureau members decided to recommend that the theme of the 13th International Conference of the Global Alliance of NHRIs, to be held in late 2018 in Africa, be on the role of NHRIs in addressing shrinking democratic space and protecting human rights defenders. 

On the occasion of the Bureau meeting, the Interamerican Institute for Human Rights hosted a public conference at which GANHRI Chairperson Prof Dr Beate Rudolf held a key note speech on the rights of women in the 21st century.

“I am delighted at the wonderful spirit of collaboration and contributions from Bureau members throughout this meeting, and deeply grateful for their commitment in contributing to a strong and effective network”, said GANHRI Chairperson in closing the meeting.

Participants expressed deep appreciation to the Defensoria de los Habitantes of Costa Rica, in particular Ombudswoman and GANHRI Secretary Montserrat Solano Carboni and her staff, for the warmth of their hospitality.

The Bureau will meet again during the GANHRI Annual Meeting, to be held from 21 to 23 February 2018 in Geneva.

The Bureau of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) met from 1 to 3 November, to review developments and progress made since its last meeting in March 2017, and outline the way forward for the organization in 2018. 

Hosted in San José, Costa Rica, by the Defensoria de los Habitantes, the meeting brought together representatives of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) from all regions around the world, involving also representatives from partners from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Vice President Ana Helena Chacón of the Republic of Costa Rica and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Alejandro Solano addressed the ceremony preceding the opening of the Bureau meeting.

Croatian ombudswoman and ENNHRI Chair, Lora Vidović, took part at the meeting. She referred to ENNHRI's General Assembly which is to take place on 29th November. At the General assembly a number of international stakeholders will gather to define future strategic and institutionalized engagement between the EU and NHRIs.

Bureau members adopted the 2018 implementation plan setting out priorities for the year ahead on eight key thematic focus areas in relation to: conflict and post-conflict; shrinking democratic space and human rights defenders; business and human rights; combating gender-based discrimination; the rights of older persons; the rights of persons with disabilities; refugees, migrants and IDPs; and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Participants also reviewed alarming trends, in all regions of the world, of shrinking democratic space and reprisals, threats and other acts of intimidation against human rights defenders and NHRIs.

In a number of countries around the globe, NHRIs face threats and reprisals for their work to promote and protect fundamental rights and for holding governments to account for their international human rights obligations, in accordance with their legal human rights mandate.

The meeting reviewed cases of reprisals and examined the role of GANHRI and its regional networks, OHCHR, UNDP and others to support NHRIs under threat and to promote their independence.

"Reprisals against human rights defenders, including NHRIs, are unacceptable and must be addressed to protect the work of human rights defenders and the integrity and independence of NHRIs” said GANHRI Chairperson Prof Dr Beate Rudolf, during the meeting.

"As global alliance of NHRIs, our role is to mobilise support for members facing such threats, and to stress to governments the need for NHRIs to perform their duties with independence and impartiality, without interference."

Against this backdrop Bureau members decided to recommend that the theme of the 13th International Conference of the Global Alliance of NHRIs, to be held in late 2018 in Africa, be on the role of NHRIs in addressing shrinking democratic space and protecting human rights defenders. 

On the occasion of the Bureau meeting, the Interamerican Institute for Human Rights hosted a public conference at which GANHRI Chairperson Prof Dr Beate Rudolf held a key note speech on the rights of women in the 21st century.

“I am delighted at the wonderful spirit of collaboration and contributions from Bureau members throughout this meeting, and deeply grateful for their commitment in contributing to a strong and effective network”, said GANHRI Chairperson in closing the meeting.

Participants expressed deep appreciation to the Defensoria de los Habitantes of Costa Rica, in particular Ombudswoman and GANHRI Secretary Montserrat Solano Carboni and her staff, for the warmth of their hospitality.

The Bureau will meet again during the GANHRI Annual Meeting, to be held from 21 to 23 February 2018 in Geneva.

The Bureau of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) met from 1 to 3 November, to review developments and progress made since its last meeting in March 2017, and outline the way forward for the organization in 2018. 

Hosted in San José, Costa Rica, by the Defensoria de los Habitantes, the meeting brought together representatives of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) from all regions around the world, involving also representatives from partners from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Vice President Ana Helena Chacón of the Republic of Costa Rica and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Alejandro Solano addressed the ceremony preceding the opening of the Bureau meeting.

Croatian ombudswoman and ENNHRI Chair, Lora Vidović, took part at the meeting. She referred to ENNHRI's General Assembly which is to take place on 29th November. At the General assembly a number of international stakeholders will gather to define future strategic and institutionalized engagement between the EU and NHRIs.

Bureau members adopted the 2018 implementation plan setting out priorities for the year ahead on eight key thematic focus areas in relation to: conflict and post-conflict; shrinking democratic space and human rights defenders; business and human rights; combating gender-based discrimination; the rights of older persons; the rights of persons with disabilities; refugees, migrants and IDPs; and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Participants also reviewed alarming trends, in all regions of the world, of shrinking democratic space and reprisals, threats and other acts of intimidation against human rights defenders and NHRIs.

In a number of countries around the globe, NHRIs face threats and reprisals for their work to promote and protect fundamental rights and for holding governments to account for their international human rights obligations, in accordance with their legal human rights mandate.

The meeting reviewed cases of reprisals and examined the role of GANHRI and its regional networks, OHCHR, UNDP and others to support NHRIs under threat and to promote their independence.

"Reprisals against human rights defenders, including NHRIs, are unacceptable and must be addressed to protect the work of human rights defenders and the integrity and independence of NHRIs” said GANHRI Chairperson Prof Dr Beate Rudolf, during the meeting.

"As global alliance of NHRIs, our role is to mobilise support for members facing such threats, and to stress to governments the need for NHRIs to perform their duties with independence and impartiality, without interference."

Against this backdrop Bureau members decided to recommend that the theme of the 13th International Conference of the Global Alliance of NHRIs, to be held in late 2018 in Africa, be on the role of NHRIs in addressing shrinking democratic space and protecting human rights defenders. 

On the occasion of the Bureau meeting, the Interamerican Institute for Human Rights hosted a public conference at which GANHRI Chairperson Prof Dr Beate Rudolf held a key note speech on the rights of women in the 21st century.

“I am delighted at the wonderful spirit of collaboration and contributions from Bureau members throughout this meeting, and deeply grateful for their commitment in contributing to a strong and effective network”, said GANHRI Chairperson in closing the meeting.

Participants expressed deep appreciation to the Defensoria de los Habitantes of Costa Rica, in particular Ombudswoman and GANHRI Secretary Montserrat Solano Carboni and her staff, for the warmth of their hospitality.

The Bureau will meet again during the GANHRI Annual Meeting, to be held from 21 to 23 February 2018 in Geneva.

Volksanwalt Günther Kräuter bot Studierenden der Studienrichtung E-Health an der FH JOANNEUM Einblicke in die Arbeit der Volksanwaltschaft und ihrer Kommissionen.

Welche Aufgaben erfüllt die Volksanwaltschaft? Wie schützen ihre Kommissionen die Menschenrechte im Bereich Gesundheit und Pflege? Im Rahmen einer Kooperation zwischen Volksanwaltschaft und FH JOANNEUM in Graz bot Volksanwalt Günther Kräuter Studierenden wertvolle Einblicke in den präventiven Menschenrechtsschutz. Sechs Expertenkommissionen der Volksanwaltschaft besuchen unangemeldet Einrichtungen in ganz Österreich, in denen es zu Freiheitsentzug kommt oder kommen kann, darunter auch Alten- und Pflegeheime und Psychiatrien. Im Kern geht es darum, Risikofaktoren für Menschenrechtsverletzungen frühzeitig zu erkennen und vermeiden.

Im Rahmen der Ausbildung an der FH JOANNEUM stehen auch die Themen Ethik und Menschenrechte auf dem Lehrplan. Volksanwalt Kräuter: „Die Studierenden werden künftig in leitenden Positionen im Gesundheits- und Pflegebereich tätig sein. Es ist wichtig, sie für menschenrechtliche Themen zu sensibilisieren.“ Künftig werden Expertinnen und Experten der Volksanwaltschaft regelmäßig mit Studierenden von Pflegeberufen über Menschenwürde in Pflege und Gesundheitsbereich diskutieren.

The Memorandum of Cooperation in human rights sphere between the European Ombudsman Institute (EOI) and the Latin American Ombudsman Institute (LOI) was signed by Nina Karpachova, member of the Board and Executive Board of the European Ombudsman Institute, and Carlos Constenla, President of the Latin American Ombudsman Institute. Nina Karpachova had a mandate for drafting and signing the Memorandum from the EOI President Dieter Burkhard and Secretary General Joseph Siegele.

The signing ceremony took place in the reception hall of the National Ombudsman of Argentina in Buenos Aires with the wide participation of representatives of the law community of Latin America and Argentina.

The Memorandum is set to develop cooperation between the EOI and the LOI through sharing the best practices of human rights protection and promotion by national and regional Ombudsmen in Europe and Latin America, making lectures at the law faculties of universities, conducting joint research in the field of human rights, exchanging of research results, implementing publications in scientific journals, as well as organizing international conferences on human rights.

At the signing ceremony, the parties agreed that the first joint undertaking of the two organizations could be organizing an international conference on the impact of the growing external debt on the state of human rights protection in developing countries.

During her visit to Argentina Nina Karpachova also expressed her willingness and readiness to support the cooperation of the EOI with the Ombudsmen Association of Argentine, with whom an agreement on cooperation was also signed.

Nina Karpachova presented the results of her visit together with Carlos Constenla in the radio program of the Ombudsman of Argentina "People and their Ombudsman", which was broadcasted by 250 local radio stations throughout the country.

It is symbolic that the signing of the Memorandum took place on October 12 – the day when the two civilizations of Europe and America first met thanks to Columbus, in 1492.

Нина Карпачева подписала в Буэнос Айресе Соглашение о сотрудничестве с Омбудсманами Латинской Америки

Нина Карпачева - член Правления и Совета Европейского Института Омбудсмана и Карлос Констенла – Президент Латиноамериканского Института Омбудсмана, подписали Меморандум о сотрудничестве в области прав человека между Европейским Институтом Омбудсмана (ЕИО) и Латиноамериканским Институтом Омбудсмана (ЛИО). Мандат на подготовку проекта Меморандума и на его подписание Нина Карпачева получила от Президента ЕИО Дитера Буркхарда и Генерального секретаря ЕИО Джозефа Зигеле.

Церемония подписания прошла в г. Буэнос Айрес (Аргентина) в зале приемов Национального Омбудсмана Аргентины при широком участии представителей юридического сообщества Латинской Америки и Аргентины.

Меморандум предполагает развитие сотрудничества между ЕИО и ЛИО в сферах обмена лучшими практиками работы национальных и региональных Омбудсманов стран Европы и Латинской Америки по защите и продвижению прав человека, чтения лекций на юридических факультетах университетов, проведения совместных научных исследований в области прав человека, обмена результатами исследований, осуществления их публикаций в научных журналах, а также проведение международных конференций по проблематике защиты прав человека.

Во время подписания Меморандума стороны пришли к соглашению о том, что первым общим мероприятием двух организаций может стать проведение при поддержке ЕИО и ЛИО Международной конференции по проблеме влияния растущего внешнего долга развивающихся стран на состояние обеспечения и защиты прав человека.

В ходе визита Нины Карпачевой в Аргентину выразила желание и готовность присоединиться к сотрудничеству с ЕИО Ассоциация Омбудсманов Аргентины, с которой также было подписано соглашение о сотрудничестве.

По итогам визита Нина Карпачева совместно с Карлосом Констенлой выступили в радиопрограмме Омбудсмана Аргентины «Люди и их Омбудсман», которую транслировали 250 местных радиостанций по всей стране.

Символично, что подписание Меморандума между ЕИО и ЛИО состоялось 12 октября - в день, когда благодаря Колумбу в 1492 году впервые встретились две цивилизации Европы и Америки.

Selon les données en sa possession, le SPF Finances n’a commis aucune erreur. Le calcul d’impôt est bien correct. Eugène retire sa réclamation. Mais plus tard, il apprend qu’une personne malintentionnée a utilisé son identité.

Victime d’une fraude

Le tribunal confirme la fraude : une autre personne a travaillé sous l’identité d’Eugène. Il a donc été imposé sur des revenus qu’il n’a jamais gagnés. Pour le SPF Finances, il est trop tard. Eugène ne peut plus contester le calcul de son impôt car il s’est déjà désisté de sa réclamation.

Impôt recalculé

Le Médiateur fédéral entreprend plusieurs démarches :

• il obtient le montant correct des revenus d’Eugène auprès d’une autre administration ;
• parmi les documents du dossier, il découvre un ancien courrier d’Eugène auquel le SPF Finances n’avait pas encore répondu ; 
• à partir de ces nouveaux éléments et compte tenu de la fraude, il demande au SPF Finances de répondre à ce courrier et de recalculer l’impôt.

Eugène ne doit finalement pas payer 3.000€. Il est remboursé d’environ 250€, c’est le résultat du calcul d’impôt selon ses revenus.

Un problème avec vos impôts ?

Si, comme Eugène, vous contestez le résultat du calcul de votre impôt :

• introduisez une réclamation auprès du Centre Particuliers, dont l’adresse est indiquée au dos de votre avertissement-extrait de rôle
• pendant cette procédure, vous pouvez demander l’aide du Service de conciliation fiscale
• si vous n’êtes pas satisfait, introduisez une plainte auprès du Médiateur fédéral.

Si vous rencontrez un problème dans un autre domaine, le site www.ombudsman.be vous guide facilement vers l'ombudsman qui pourra vous aider.