m 27. und 28.04.2022 nahm Dr. Kurt Herzberg auf Einladung der Europäischen Bürgerbeauftragten, Emily O’Reilly, an der jährlichen Konferenz des Europäischen Netzwerkes der Bürgerbeauftragten (ENO) in Strasbourg teil. Die Europäische Bürgerbeauftragte ist Vorsitzende des Verbindungsnetzes der Bürgerbeauftragten in Europa und koordiniert als solche deren Zusammenarbeit. Über 150 nationale und regionale Bürgerbeauftragte, Vertreter von Petitionsausschüssen, Mitglieder des Europäischen Parlaments, EU-Beamte sowie weitere Organisationen aus ganz Europa nutzten die Möglichkeit, erstmals wieder nach 2019 auch zu einem persönlichen Austausch zusammen zu kommen. Die Konferenz fand in den Räumen des Europaparlaments statt und war auch online zugänglich.

Die Zusammenkunft widmete sich aus aktuellem Anlass zunächst der Situation in der Ukraine sowie der ukrainischen Flüchtlinge in den Aufnahmeländern. Damit der Prozess der Aufnahme dieser Menschen weitgehend vereinfacht werden konnte, hatten sich die EU-Ministerinnen und -Minister im März 2022 darauf geeinigt, einen Mechanismus für vorübergehenden Schutz einzurichten. Der vorübergehende Schutz ist ein Notfallmechanismus, der im Fall eines Massenzustroms von Menschen angewandt werden kann, um Vertriebenen, die nicht in ihr Herkunftsland zurückkehren können, sofort und kollektiv (d. h. ohne vorherige Prüfung von Einzelanträgen) Schutz zu gewähren. Auf diese Weise soll der Druck auf die nationalen Asylsysteme verringert und den Vertriebenen ermöglicht werden, überall in der EU harmonisierte Rechte in Anspruch zu nehmen.

Sehr persönlich und eindrucksvoll berichtete zunächst die ukrainische Bürgerbeauftragte, Ludmilla Denisova, über die Situation der Menschen in der Ukraine. Daneben informierte die EU-Kommissarin für Inneres, Ylva Johansson als auch einzelne Bürgerbeauftragte zur konkreten Situation der Flüchtlinge in den jeweiligen  Aufnahmeländern.

Hauptthema der Konferenz war jedoch der Megatrend der Digitalisierung in den öffentlichen Verwaltungen. Es wurden die allgemeinen Herausforderungen erörtert, die sich aus dieser Entwicklung, insbesondere mit Blick auf die Rechte von Bürgerinnen und Bürger, ergeben. So hat die Corona Pandemie in den letzten beiden Jahren die digitale Entwicklung zwar enorm beschleunigt, aber gleichzeitig wurde deutlich, dass dieser Prozess auch zu einem teilweisen Ausschluss von Bürgerinnen und Bürgern geführt hat. So waren während der Pandemie viele Behörden zeitweise nur noch digital erreichbar. Gleichzeitig gab es aber zahlreiche Menschen, die den digitalen Zugang gar nicht nutzen konnten.

Auch wenn die Digitalisierung von Verwaltungsabläufen in den einzelnen europäischen Ländern eine unterschiedliche Dynamik aufweist, zeigten sich in der Diskussion der Bürgerbeauftragten Gemeinsamkeiten: Der digitale Zugang bereitet vor allem älteren Menschen, sozial Schwachen aber auch Menschen mit Behinderungen besondere Schwierigkeiten. Auch Bewohner schwach entwickelter – ländlicher – Regionen fehlt oft der Zugang. Ursache ist entweder das fehlende Wissen im Umgang mit der Technik oder die Nichtverfügbarkeit des Internets. Für viele Bedürftige sind eine Anschaffung der Technik und die wiederkehrenden Kosten nicht finanzierbar. So führt der Prozess der zunehmenden Digitalisierung nicht nur zu einer Entmaterialisierung, in der der Kontakt zur Verwaltung auf digitale Korrespondenz beschränkt bleibt, sondern birgt auch die Gefahr einer Entfremdung zwischen Bürger und Verwaltung. Denn wenn der digitale Zugang erschwert ist, die Möglichkeit eines direkten, persönlichen Kontakts aber nicht mehr besteht, bleibt der Bürger frustriert außen vor.

Es wurde auch die Frage diskutiert, ob der Bürger nicht ein Recht auf physischen Zugang zur Verwaltung hat. Anders ausgedrückt: Ist die Verwaltung nicht in der Pflicht, den Zugang zu ihr so zu gewährleisten, wie der Bürger in der Lage ist, diesen wahrzunehmen?

Die Bürgerbeauftragten diskutierten Beispiele aus der Praxis, die geeignet sein können, die Position der Bürger in diesem Wandlungsprozess zu stärken. Besonders betont wurde die Notwendigkeit, bei digitalen Verfahren dem Bürger auch immer die Möglichkeit einer physischen Kontaktaufnahme zur Verwaltung zu geben.

Herzberg zog folgendes Fazit: „Sicher bringt die Digitalisierung der Verwaltung viele Vorteile mit sich. Die Effektivierung der Verwaltungsabläufe und die zeit- und ortsunabhängige Nutzung der Verwaltungsdienste sind zentrale Vorteile. Dennoch müssen die Menschen, für die die Verwaltung da zu sein hat, bei dieser Entwicklung mitgenommen werden. Digitale Systeme müssen deshalb zuerst nutzerorientiert und nutzerfreundlich gedacht und ausgestaltet werden. Nur so kann sichergestellt werden, dass eine digitale Exklusion verhindert wird.“

Im Nachgang der Konferenz ist die Bildung von Arbeitsgruppen geplant, die die einzeln aufgeworfenen Problemkreise weiter bearbeiten sollen.

Foto: ENO

Foto: Thüringer Bürgerbeauftragter

Foto: ENO

Foto: 2.v.r. EU-Bürgerbeauftragte Emily O'Reilly, ENO

Foto: ENO

“The extent and gravity of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law that have taken place as a result of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine are staggering. Providing redress and support for victims and their families and delivering justice will be an incredibly daunting but imperative task,” said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, at the end of a 4 day visit to Kyiv and its region.

The war has severely affected the enjoyment of virtually all human rights by people in Ukraine. The bombing and destruction of a theatre and hospital in the besieged city of Mariupol, the ordeal of many evacuees and the dramatic struggle for survival of the people trapped in the city’s remains – despite the recent evacuation of hundreds of people – as well as the continuing shelling and destruction of cities and towns across Ukraine, are all poignant examples of how the war has been waged with little regard for human life or dignity.

The Commissioner’s field visit to several localities outside of the capital Kyiv, all of which suffered artillery shelling, heavy fighting and the brutality of the Russian forces, provided a painful illustration of the extent of such egregious human rights and humanitarian law violations, with mounting evidence of widespread arbitrary killings, torture, and enforced disappearances. “The names of Bucha, Borodyanka, Irpin or Andriivka have come to symbolise the horrific acts that were committed here. But unfortunately, their residents are not alone in their suffering. There are many more people across Ukraine who have suffered unspeakable atrocities. Each of them deserves justice and must not be forgotten,” added the Commissioner.

The deliberate targeting by Russian forces of civilians and journalists, increasingly reported instances of sexual violence by Russian soldiers, as well as reports of many missing persons, widespread arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, and torture and ill-treatment of Ukrainian local government officials, journalists, human rights defenders, and activists in areas newly occupied by Russia, further exemplify the dramatic deprivation of human rights and dire human suffering. “It is now even more important to remember that human rights do not end during war. They do not take a back seat. Even in war, human life and human rights must be protected. And crucially, international humanitarian law must be respected by all and in all circumstances. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted. Captured soldiers and those who surrender, the wounded and the sick, must all be treated fairly and humanely,” stressed the Commissioner.

Accountability for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law is key and requires proper documentation and the careful preservation of evidence to build cases to bring those responsible to justice. “Delivering justice will face many hurdles and require sustained efforts. The Ukrainian authorities have already taken important steps to this end, including issuing the first indictments and passing a law establishing the legal framework for cooperation with the International Criminal Court. I particularly welcome the authorities’ commitment to ensuring accountability in full compliance with applicable human rights standards and with due respect for the dignity of victims and their families,” added the Commissioner. “I am committed to assisting them on this path, including by helping with access to existing expertise and best practices in the area of psychological assistance for victims of conflict-related sexual violence.”

With numerous national and international processes aimed at ensuring accountability for grave violations of human rights and humanitarian law running in parallel, proper coordination and care is essential, especially when it comes to securing and preserving evidence, carrying out forensic

analyses, and avoiding the repeated traumatisation of victims. “I call on states to continue to support in every possible way the investigation and prosecution efforts and to coordinate these closely with the Ukrainian authorities, civil society, and the International Criminal Court,” said Commissioner Mijatović.

The war and the ensuing destruction and insecurity has resulted in the internal and external displacement of millions of people, exposing many of them, in particular women and children, to the risk of human trafficking, exploitation or sexual abuse. It has also led to disruption in the provision of basic services and livelihoods, with hundreds of thousands deprived of adequate access to food, water, electricity, healthcare and schooling, disproportionately affecting the human rights of persons at heightened risk such as women, children, older people, persons with disabilities and those living in care institutions. Many of the victims, especially those who suffered deep trauma, urgently require – and will continue to require in the months and years to come – adequate medical and psychosocial assistance. It is crucial to alleviate human suffering by continuing and scaling up the humanitarian response and making sure that it reaches all those who need it.

The Commissioner is moved by the courage and perseverance of ordinary Ukrainians, who have already suffered greatly in the war, in the face of the continuously unpredictable security situation. “In an inspiring show of resilience, scarred towns like Bucha have begun to slowly piece back together their communal life, shattered by the hostilities. But they will need significant and long-term support to repair and rebuild their damaged infrastructure and heal the deep wounds”, said the Commissioner. “I call on the international community to generously and sustainably support them in this daunting task”.

The Commissioner also pays tribute to the courage and commitment of the human rights defenders who have continued their dedicated work inside and outside Ukraine throughout the course of the war. The Commissioner has maintained regular contact with them since the beginning of the war and the visit provided an opportunity to meet with them and to learn first-hand about their work and the problems that they face. She remains committed to working with human rights defenders and civil society and supporting their indispensable work.

“In a matter of a few weeks, the war has dramatically changed life in Ukraine, leaving deep wounds and tremendous damage. I listened to the terrifying stories of families that lost their loved ones. Thousands of innocent lives were ruthlessly cut short and for millions of people, the whole world was turned upside down. In the face of their suffering, we must not be bystanders,” concluded the Commissioner.

During her visit, the Commissioner met with First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Emine Dzhaparova, Minister of Justice, Denys Maliuska, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ihor Zhovkva, Prosecutor-General of Ukraine, Iryna Venediktova, Parliament’s Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson), Lyudmyla Denisova, and Government’s Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy, Kateryna Levchenko. She also met with Mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, as well as mayors and municipality council officials of Irpin, Bucha and Borodyanka. The Commissioner further met with victims of human rights violations, human rights defenders and representatives of civil society, international organisations and non-governmental organisations, as well as the Head of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, Refat Chubarov.

The Commissioner’s visit to Ukraine is the latest element of her continuous engagement in the response to the human rights consequences of the war in Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict.

The Commissioner’s memorandum on her visit to Ukraine is forthcoming.

München, 5. Mai 2022

Fragen und Antworten: Bürgerdialog mit Ministerpräsident Dr. Markus Söder, MdL, und dem Bürgerbeauftragten bei Niederbayern TV Ministerpräsident Dr. Markus Söder, MdL, und der Bürgerbeauftragte der Bayerischen Staatsregierung, Michael Hofmann, MdL stellen sich den Fragen der Bürgerinnen und Bürger: Dazu sind sie am 10. Mai 2022 in Deggendorf zu Gast beim Bürgerdialog von Niederbayern TV: „Mit den Bürgerinnen und Bürgern in den Austausch zu kommen, ist einfach wichtig“, sagt Michael Hofmann: „Der Diskussionsbedarf ist erkennbar groß – deshalb wollen wir den Fragen der Menschen Zeit und Aufmerksamkeit widmen.“

Niederbayern TV hat die Fragen vieler Bürgerinnen und Bürger aus der Region zusammengetragen. In der Sendung, die am 10. Mai 2022 um 18.00 Uhr in einer Sondersendung ausgestrahlt wird, werden verschiedenste Fragestellungen erörtert. Thematisch ist der Bogen weit gefasst: Ob es Fragen zum Krieg in der Ukraine, zu individuellen Schwierigkeiten mit Behörden, zu politischen Projekten, die die Region betreffen oder zur Corona-Pandemie sind: „Keine Frage landet im Papierkorb“, versichert Michael Hofmann. Alle Anliegen, die in der Sendung nicht besprochen werden können, bearbeitet der Bürgerbeauftragte im Nachgang.

Der Bürgerdialog in Deggendorf ist die vierte Station einer mehrteiligen Reihe von Dialogveranstaltungen: Ministerpräsident Dr. Markus Söder und der Bürgerbeauftragte der Bayerischen Staatsregierung, Michael Hofmann, werden in den kommenden Wochen und Monaten bei weiteren regionalen Fernsehsendern zu Gast sein. Der Bürgerbeauftragte der Bayerischen Staatsregierung Michael Hofmann, MdL, ist seit Mai 2020 Bürgerbeauftragter der Bayerischen Staatsregierung. Die Institution des Bürgerbeauftragten gibt es seit 2018. Der Bürgerbeauftragte versteht sich als Ansprechpartner für alle Bürgerinnen und Bürger, sein Einsatz ist kostenfrei. Er setzt sich als Vermittler für eine verständliche Kommunikation und ein respektvolles Miteinander zwischen Bürgerinnen und Bürgern und Behörden ein, steht für Fragen und Anregungen zur Verfügung. Weitere Informationen unter www.buergerbeauftragter.bayern.de.

Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise has expressed her view that although the government and Riigikogu deserve recognition for the work they have done to amend the Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Act (hereafter referred to by its Estonian acronym NETS), other options should be considered for the effective protection of public health in a way that does not infringe upon basic rights and freedoms which are protected by the constitution – including the drafting of a completely new act that takes into account, among other things, experiences from the coronavirus pandemic over the last two years.

In the opinion she submitted to the Social Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu today, Madise states that in its current form, the Act to Amend NETS and Other Acts under review does not resolve all issues or guarantee legal clarity in a situation where the state imposes wide-ranging restrictions on everybody in the country.

“Every restriction, both in its own right and as part of a complex of restrictions, must be logically reasoned and based in scientific outcomes and facts that have been correctly interpreted and arrived at appropriately in methodological terms,” the Chancellor of Justice wrote. “The advantage to be gained from imposing the restrictions must outweigh the disadvantages it presents.”

Madise’s view is that NETS, which was first passed in 2003 and has been amended many times since, is anchored in an outmoded way of thinking which has been further undermined by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Terminological inaccuracies and the absence of certain terms will create confusion if the law is enacted and will work against resolving the problems it is designed to address,” she said. The Chancellor of Justice also feels that the act fails to clearly set out the division of roles and responsibility between agencies and the procedures required in handling and working to resolve risks arising from infectious diseases.

In her opinion, Madise makes reference to long-standing court practice whereby basic rights which are protected by the constitution should only be restricted to the extent and according to the procedure provided in law. The more intensively that rights and freedoms are sought to be restricted, the more precise the law enabling this must be.

Among other things, this means that the democratically elected Riigikogu should take on a much greater role when restrictions are imposed. A critical approach should also be taken to the government’s right to impose bans and restrictions using general orders, as well as to the delegating of these rights to government agencies (such as the Health Board).

Madise states that restrictions which, by their nature, are subject to an act or regulation cannot be codified as general orders. Norms which are aimed at an undefined group of people and designed to resolve an undefined number of cases must be codified in accordance with the constitution, which is to say as either an act or a regulation. Such norms must be able to be reviewed, on the initiative of the President of the Republic, the Chancellor of Justice or the courts, promptly and free of charge, with the aim of exercising constitutional oversight.

Therein the act must still enable the government to respond without delay to new, unknown and presumably highly dangerous infectious diseases should it need to do so. However, restrictions enacted on this basis should only remain valid for a limited time and within the framework provided by law, and the Riigikogu should promptly replace any such restrictions with acts.

“As soon as much more is known about the danger posed by a disease, ways of treating it and the complications it may have than when the disease first appeared – especially in a situation where a vaccine that provides protection against the worst effects of the disease is freely available – the principle of caution can no longer form the basis of the state’s response and general restrictions cannot be imposed without a clear scientific and factual basis,” Madise wrote.

The opinion of the Chancellor of Justice also includes almost seven pages of detailed notes, remarks and proposals on specific provisions of the draft act. These are primarily based on an analysis of the combined impact of existing laws, but also on the actual problems that emerged in schools, care homes and elsewhere following the entry into force of restrictions between 2020 and 2022.

The full text of the opinion of the Chancellor of Justice in Estonian:  https://bit.ly/3l0wt9z 

Parliamentary Ombudsman Petri Jääskeläinen has nominated Doctor of Laws Jari Råman as Secretary General of the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman. Råman will take office on 11 May 2022.

Råman has acted as the Deputy Data Protection Ombudsman at the Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman since spring 2019. He has previously worked as Chief of Information Management and Chief Data Protection Officer at the National Police Board.

In his career, Råman has focused particularly on the implementation and oversight of legislation concerning the processing of personal data, information and cyber security as well as information management.

The Secretary General of the Parliamentary Ombudsman is responsible for leading and developing the administration of the Office and for ensuring its effectiveness. The Secretary General also acts as an adviser and, at the order of the Ombudsman, as a decision-maker in administrative matters of the Office. His tasks also include acting as a legal adviser in matters of oversight of legality and statements.

The position of Secretary General received 17 applications. 

For more information, please contact Acting Secretary General Riitta Länsisyrjä, tel. +358 9 432 3363 and Information Officer Citha Dahl, tel. +358 9 432 3352.