Ombudsman at the conference "Family and Children's Law Issues"

Date of article: 31/05/2021

Daily News of: 02/06/2021

Country:  Portugal

Author:

Article language: en

The Ombudsman marks Children's Day, which is celebrated on June 1, with her participation in the conference "Themes of family and children's law", organized by the Braga Delegation of the Bar Association. "The Ombudsman in the protection of childhood" is the theme of Maria Lúcia Amaral's intervention.

2021-05-31
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El Síndic investiga de oficio las agresiones homófobas de este fin de semana en Barcelona y muestra su solidaridad con las víctimas

Date of article: 31/05/2021

Daily News of: 02/06/2021

Country:  Spain - Catalonia

Author:

Article language: es

El pasado sábado tuvieron lugar tres agresiones homófobas en varios lugares de Barcelona

De acuerdo con la Ley 11/2014, el Síndic tiene la misión de supervisar y defender los derechos de las personas LGTBI
 

El Síndic ha tenido conocimiento por los medios de comunicación de las agresiones homófobas graves que han tenido lugar durante el pasado fin de semana en la ciudad de Barcelona. Según las noticias publicadas se produjeron tres agresiones por razón de la orientación sexual en varios puntos de la ciudad. Una durante la noche, en la playa de la Barceloneta, y las otras dos durante el día, una en el barrio de Gracia, y la otra en el entorno próximo al Auditorio. 

El Síndic de Greuges, en ejercicio del mandato del Parlamento de Cataluña de supervisar a la Administración en cuanto al cumplimiento del derecho de las personas LGTBI y de luchar contra las agresiones lgtbifóbicas, ha abierto una actuación de oficio para investigar los hechos. Un vez más, quiere mostrar su solidaridad con las personas que se han visto vejadas, amenazadas o agredidas por su identidad u orientación sexual y pide a la ciudadanía que se implique en la defensa de sus derechos.

El Síndic ha puesto de manifiesto que la lucha contra la discriminación por cuestiones de odio debe ser una prioridad para el conjunto de la sociedad, en la que se deben implicar las instituciones de defensa de los derechos humanos, las fuerzas y cuerpos de seguridad, ONG, medios de comunicación y la ciudadanía en general, para casos como los que han tenido lugar este fin de semana muestran que todavía estamos lejos de una sociedad de verdadera igualdad en la que todos puedan vivir con la libertad de amar y expresarse de acuerdo con su identidad de género.

En este contexto, el Síndic quiere destacar que se ha detectado un incremento de casos de violencia homófoba y de incidencias motivadas por LGTBIfobia en Cataluña. El Plan de igualdad de género del Síndic establece el compromiso de incoar actuaciones de oficio en los casos de agresiones físicas LGBTIfóbicas. Y, en este marco, el Síndic ya ha abierto 11 actuaciones por agresiones homófobas, físicas o verbales, en Cataluña desde principios del año 2020.

En relación con el caso concreto, el Síndic se ha dirigido a la Dirección General de la Policía, a la Dirección General de Igualdad y al Ayuntamiento de Barcelona para solicitar información sobre los hechos ocurridos. En concreto, a la Dirección General de la Policía le pide conocer cuál ha sido su intervención en cuanto a las  víctimas y los presuntos agresores, si ha detectado un incremento de estos hechos delictivos respecto al año anterior y si está estudiando adoptar alguna otra medida extraordinaria dentro del plan integral del cuerpo para garantizar y proteger el libre ejercicio de los derechos del colectivo.

Al Ayuntamiento de Barcelona y a la Dirección General de Igualdad se les ha pedido información sobre el análisis que han realizado de los casos, las intervenciones que han llevado a cabo y si han decidido impulsar nuevas campañas de sensibilización y de prevención en este ámbito.

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Ombudsman keeps under focus the issue of repatriation of the Azerbaijani citizens left helpless in Syria

Date of article: 31/05/2021

Daily News of: 02/06/2021

Country:  Azerbaijan

Author: The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Article language: en

A number of people looking for their close relatives in Syria, who are Azerbaijani citizens, appealed to the Ombudsman at various times. They said families of their relatives who had fought in various groups during the war in the country, including women and children were being held hostage in the camps. The appeals also noted that the wounded and sick were left without medical care and were helpless.

Those who appealed to the Ombudsman asked for assistance in the return of their relatives who remained in Syria and are citizens of Azerbaijan.

The Ombudsman has at various times appealed to the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan, as well as other competent state agencies to take the necessary measures to repatriate our citizens remaining in Syria. (...)

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IOI: Comparative study about refugees

Date of article: 31/05/2021

Daily News of: 02/06/2021

Country:  Greece

Author:

Article language: en

The comparative study about refugees in Europe, which was conducted by the Ombudsmen of the Netherlands, Greece and the Basque country, was presented during the Conference of the International Ombudsman Institute «Giving voice to the voiceless». This year the conference was presided by the Greek Ombudsman Andreas Pottakis.

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Ombudsman Svetina meets with representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Date of article: 31/05/2021

Daily News of: 02/06/2021

Country:  Slovenia

Author:

Article language: en

Today, 28 May 2021, Mr Peter Svetina received Mr Roland Schilling, Head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Central Europe (UNHCR), and Ms Romana Zidar, Senior Protection Associate for Slovenia. They discussed current asylum and refugee issues and the challenges facing European countries in the area of migration.

Ombudsman Svetina and Deputy Ombudsman Miha Horvat presented the activities of the Ombudsman’s institution in the protection of refugee rights, which have been affected by the COVID-19 epidemic in the last year and a half. For example, the Ombudsman, as early as in the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic, called on the Ministry of the Interior to continue accepting applications for international protection despite the adopted anti-corona measures. The Ombudsman believes that the accommodation of a large number of persons in the reception premises of asylum homes or other accommodation facilities owned by the State may pose a health risk. He also pointed out to the competent authorities that consideration should be given to providing access to vaccination also for those who are not entitled to full healthcare, as this is in the interest of public health. Within the framework of the National Preventive Mechanism, the Ombudsman, among other things, is also competent for the supervision of detention facilities, which is why Mr Svetina also informed the UNCHR representative of his findings during recent visits to the Postojna Centre for Foreigners. He stressed that special protection is needed for unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable groups.

UNHCR representative Schilling touched upon some outstanding issues relating to asylum and foreigners legislation and said that their task was to manage and coordinate international activities for the protection of refugees. They strive to ensure that every individual has the right to apply for asylum and seek safe refuge in another country, while also providing assistance to stateless persons, he said.

Ombudsman Svetina also noted that the legal bases for dealing with refugees were sufficient and committed us to respecting human rights. However, he called for their consistent application, which means, in particular, that individuals must have access to procedures in which they can claim and assert their rights.

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