Child protection Equality, non-discrimination and racism Children, youth and older people

When 24 April 2024

Where Online, Austria

Organised By FRA

FRA event

On 24 April, FRA will hold a webinar on Mapping Child Protection Systems in the EU – Update 2023. The webinar will take place from 10:00-11:30 am CEST.

FRA will offer an update on the latest exercise on mapping child protection systems in the EU – Update 2023.

You can register here.

I difensori civici e i presidenti delle commissioni per le petizioni di tutta l'UE hanno invitato i cittadini dell'UE a utilizzare il loro voto nelle prossime elezioni europee, che si terranno tra il 6 e il 9 giugno 2024.

In una dichiarazione, hanno osservato che un forte mandato elettorale è una parte essenziale della responsabilità democratica nell'UE e che il buon funzionamento delle nostre istituzioni democratiche richiede un rafforzamento continuo attraverso un forte impegno civico.

Le elezioni decideranno quali deputati al Parlamento europeo rappresenteranno i cittadini nella preparazione di nuove leggi. I nuovi deputati aiuteranno anche a decidere chi gestisce la prossima Commissione europea.

Leggi la dichiarazione completa

(Exerpt)

On March 25, a Turkish delegation, including Chief Ombudsman of Turkey Şeref Malkoç and Turkish Ombudsman Sadettin Kalkan, arrived in Ukraine. The delegation visited Odesa. They visited grain elevators and places destroyed by Russia. Russia attacks both civilian infrastructure and seaports. At the end of the day, the delegations joined Iftar. The event was opened by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ombudsman of Ukraine and international guests also worked in Kyiv. Several meetings were held:

█ at the Ombudsman’s Office, Dmytro Lubinets explained how the institution works under martial law;

█ a large meeting with the families of Ukraine’s defenders and civilians was held;

█ the delegations joined the meeting of the IDP Council under Kyiv City Military Administration to discuss the possibility of providing housing for IDPs in Kyiv;

█ a meeting was held with the Leader of the Crimean Tatar People Mustafa Dzhemilev, the Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Refat Chubarov and members of the Mejlis;

█ later, the delegation also met with UNICEF at the Child Protection Centre.

In addition, Dmytro Lubinets and Šeref Malkoč signed official documents related to the protection of the rights of Ukrainian children.

Note: The full briefing on pdf is available at the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights office.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman Judge Emeritus Joseph Zammit McKeon welcomed the Australian High Commissioner, H.E. Matthew Skelly, on a courtesy call at the Office of the Ombudsman.

During the meeting, the Ombudsman outlined the role of the Office and explained its functions.  He emphasised the fact that according to law, any person, whatever his nationality, can avail himself of the services of the Office, which are free of charge when he feels aggrieved by acts or omissions by the Government in administrative matters.

To widen knowledge on the nature of these services, outreach initiatives are vital and have been the order of the day of the present Ombudsman, including boosting public awareness through constant media exposure to engage persons who may not be familiar with the Office’s services.  The Ombudsman stressed that the services of his Office are inclusive and, therefore, are there for all to benefit, not just Maltese nationals.

High Commissioner Skelly highlighted that the relations between Malta and Australia are excellent.  He commended the Ombudsman’s proactive approach.  In particular, he referred to an article entitled ‘A Year in Office’ by the Ombudsman, published in the Times of Malta on 16 March 2024. In that opinion piece, the Ombudsman pointed out that a good part of his outreach initiatives included meeting and speaking to the Representatives of the Foreign Missions who are present in Malta, especially on matters related to the availability of the services of the Office to their nationals when in Malta.

The meeting between the Ombudsman and the High Commissioner also touched on the issue of defending human rights.

The Ombudsman illustrated his endeavours to establish a long-awaited National Human Rights Institute in Malta, aligned with the Paris Principles of the United Nations.

The meeting also touched on broader themes of migration and integration, with High Commissioner Skelly highlighting Australia’s long history of multiculturalism and how being comprised of people from all over the world positioned Australia to understand global interests.

He warmly welcomed the inaugural address of H.E. President Myriam Spiteri Debono, especially in that part where H.E. the President advocated in favour of a shift from mere tolerance of migrants to their full integration. The High Commissioner lauded Australia’s successful multiculturalism that embraced diverse cultures, beliefs, and traditions in real terms.

At the end of this more than cordial encounter, the two sides stressed that Malta and Australia already have a strong relationship, which should be reaffirmed at every opportunity because it benefits nationals and communities.

The High Commissioner praised the outstanding contribution of the Maltese community in Australia and encouraged ongoing collaboration through platforms like the United Nations and the Commonwealth, reinforcing the commitment to a rules-based international order and the promotion of shared global values.

En abril de 2023 una vecina de Lapuebla de Labarca acudió el Ararteko ante la falta de intervención del Ayuntamiento de esa localidad para corregir las molestias por ruido y por olores provenientes de una actividad de perrera, colindante a su vivienda. 

La reclamante exponía que en un solar colindante a su domicilio habitaban un grupo de perros en el exterior y otro en el interior de la finca, por lo que, a su entender, en ese solar se desarrollaba una actividad de guardería de perros sin que constase ningún tipo de autorización para ejercer esa actividad y sin que se cumplieran las condiciones mínimas de salubridad ni de seguridad. Asimismo, denunciaba que, debido a las inadecuadas condiciones de la finca, esa actividad estaba generando severos problemas de olores. También se refería a las graves molestias de ruido que producían los ladridos de los animales. 

En julio de 2022 y enero de 2023 la vecina presentó una denuncia ante el Ayuntamiento de Lapuebla de Labarca, pero no había obtenido respuesta alguna. 

Por otro lado, exponía que, a tenor de las denuncias presentadas, existen indicios de numerosas infracciones tanto de la normativa de protección de animales domésticos del País Vasco como de la Ordenanza de tenencia de perros del municipio, pero hasta el momento no se había adoptado medida alguna para evitar los perjuicios ocasionados. 

El Ararteko solicitó información al Ayuntamiento que remitió un informe destacando las actuaciones municipales llevadas a cabo para conocer las circunstancias concretas del caso y la conveniencia o no de iniciar un procedimiento sancionador. 

En conclusión, el informe sostenía que la tenencia de animales dentro de una propiedad privada en un número inferior a diez no resultaba incardinable en el concepto de núcleo zoológico ni en el de actividad clasificada. Por tanto, consideraba que los hechos denunciados no eran sancionables. 

Sin embargo, el Ararteko cree que, desde la perspectiva ambiental, la actividad e instalación denunciada está sometida a una comunicación previa de actividad clasificada, puesto que se trata de una actividad susceptible de originar daños al medio ambiente, a las personas o a sus bienes, generar riesgos de producir tales daños o causar molestias a las personas. 

Además, la Ordenanza reguladora de la tenencia y protección de perros prohíbe expresamente la tenencia habitual de perros en balcones, pabellones, jardines o cualquier otro local o terreno urbano, cuando estos ocasionen molestias objetivas a los vecinos o transeúntes. 

El Ararteko considera que el Ayuntamiento de Lapuebla de Labarca no ha procedido a la comprobación, inspección y sanción de la actividad de corral domestico para guarda de perros, tal y como exige la normativa ambiental y la ordenanza municipal. Por ello, le recomienda que, de conformidad con lo recogido en Ley de Administración Ambiental de Euskadi, regularice la actividad de corral doméstico y que tome las medidas correctoras necesarias para dar respuesta a las molestias denunciadas.

RESOLUCIÓN

Vitoria-Gasteiz, 9 de abril de 2024