Today, 10 April 2024, Deputy Ombudsman Dr Jože Ruparčič, responsible for children's rights at the Ombudsman, attended the closing conference of the Hiša za otroke (Children's House) project in Zreče.

The Human Rights Ombudsman (Ombudsman) was among the first in Slovenia to support activities related to the establishment and operation of the Hiša za otroke, with which the state guarantees special and comprehensive treatment in criminal proceedings to children who are victims of crimes against sexual integrity, The Ombudsman regularly advocates for the strengthening of child-friendly justice and for the fact that the child's rights are taken into account, that the child is treated as a subject in various systems and institutions, and not as an object of rights. "This project is a bright example of child-friendly justice, as children are guaranteed only one hearing, or that they receive as few hearings as possible by qualified experts. It is especially important that the entire treatment at the Hiša za otroke also means crisis support and psychosocial help for children, which is provided by qualified counsellors. We would like child-friendly justice to be strengthened in other areas as well, especially in family proceedings. It is important that we all realise that our common goal is to ensure the greatest benefits for children," the Deputy Ombudsman pointed out.

The holistic treatment of children in the Hiša za otroke strives to achieve the greatest benefits for children. This is also an international standard defined in international conventions, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the so-called Lanzarote Convention, i.e. the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. Seeking the best interests of children in all procedures in which they are involved is therefore their right. "If we understand human rights as defined in the relationship between the individual and the state, the child's rights must be understood in the triangle between the child, the family, and the state. By reducing the fear of secondary victimisation and misunderstanding, and knowing that in such difficult cases the justice system is adapted to children, it will be easier for many victims or witnesses to decide whether to hang up the phone or go to the police station and report the crime," added Dr. Ruparčič.

La sede del Justiciazgo ha acogido hoy una reunión de la Justicia de Aragón, Concepción Gimeno, y su equipo con la directora general del Mayor del Gobierno de Aragón, Ana Isabel Berges, con el fin de seguir avanzando en la iniciativa del Observatorio Aragonés de la Soledad con nuevas actividades que favorezcan el trabajo comunitario y en red.

El OAS nació del impulso del Justicia, Ángel Dolado, para velar por el bienestar de las personas adultas en soledad no deseada, un objetivo que comparte la Justicia de Aragón, Concepción Gimeno, con el foco en identificar los riesgos de vulnerabilidad que enfrenta la sociedad actual para impulsar acciones concretas que puedan enfrentarlos.

In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia published today, Commissioner O’Flaherty expresses concerns about the compatibility of the draft law “On transparency of foreign influence” with the human rights standards in the field of freedom of association and expression, and the chilling effect its adoption may have on the work of media outlets and civil society organisations, including those working on human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

“The legal framework governing the legitimate work of non-commercial organisations should contain provisions which are non-discriminatory and should always be based on clear and non-biased standards of transparency and reporting, irrespective of the sources of their funding. I note that this legislative initiative provides for a difference in treatment of non-commercial legal entities and media outlets solely on the basis of the foreign origin of some of the funding”, says the Commissioner.

In this context, he asks members of the Parliament to refrain from adopting this legislative initiative as tabled and to engage with national and international partners, including the Council of Europe, on how best to ensure an enabling environment for the work of civil society organisations and media outlets in the country.

• Read the Commissioner's letter addressed to the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia
  • Read the reply of the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, Mr. Shalva Papuashvili, to the Commissioner's letter

Support for human rights systems and defenders Inter-governmental human rights systems

When 25 April 2024

Where Vienna, Austria 

FRA event

FRA Director Sirpa Rautio and the Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić will meet on 25 April in Vienna. They will exchange views on current challenges to human rights in Europe and the importance of respecting fundamental rights standards.

They will also discuss cooperation between FRA and the Council of Europe. This includes the Agency’s contribution to the implementation of outcomes from the Fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Council of Europe and the 'Reykjavik Declaration’.

They will also discuss the upcoming visit on 28 May by the FRA Director to the Council of Europe at the end of May. The visit will form part of the meeting of the Council of Europe’s Rapporteur Group on External Relations.

Host: European Ombudsman

Location:  Brussels, Belgium

Panel debate

In person and online

Venue: European Ombudsman's Office, Rue Froissart 87, Brussels 

Defending independent public administration is integral to the defence of democracy. An independent, merit-based, civil service is a cornerstone of a high-functioning public administration, and a strong defence against corruption. Yet when public administrations are under attack from those who seek to undermine crucial checks and balances on political power can they be protected and how? The European Ombudsman invites you to a panel debate on how public administrations can be both resilient and responsive in a volatile and polarised political environment.

Registration for in-person attendance is now closed. Online participants can still register via the link below. 

Registration

You can register for the event by using this form .
Registration is open until :  Tuesday 16 April 2024 .

Agenda

16.00 - 16.30   Registration and welcome coffee

16.30 - 16.40   Opening address

• Emily O’Reilly, European Ombudsman

16.40 - 17.00   Interview

• Lord Kim Darroch, former British Ambassador to the US and author of Collateral Damage: Britain, America and Europe in the Age of Trump on the UK experience of maintaining an independent civil service in a polarised political environment

17.00 - 18.00   Panel debate with:

• Emily O’Reilly, European Ombudsman
• Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Budget and Administration
• Alina Mungiu-Pippidi, Professor of Comparative Public Policy

Moderator:

• Carl Dolan, Senior Adviser, European Ombudsman

18.00   Drinks reception

Join the debate on social media using #EOdebate

Speakers

Emily O'Reilly
European Ombudsman

Lord Kim Darroch
Former British Ambassador to the US

Johannes Hahn
European Commissioner for Budget and Administration

Alina Mungiu-Pippidi
Professor of Comparative Public Policy

Carl Dolan
Senior Adviser, European Ombudsman