Hinweis:

Das Europäische Ombudsman-Institut ist auch eine Plattform zur Weitergabe von Presseinformationen, Berichten, Spezialberichte seitens der einzelnen Mitglieder. Die zu veröffentlichten Beiträge müssen im Kontext mit den        Menschenrechten, deren Umsetzung und/oder Einhaltung stehen.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Das Europätische Ombudsman Institut übernimmt jedoch keine Verantwortung hinsichtlich der einzelnen Publikationen durch Autoren, Obmudspersonen oder Mitglieder. Jeder Autor/in trägt persönlich die Verantwortung für den zur Veröffentlichung gewünschten Inhalt.
Politische Beiträge werden nicht auf dieser Plattform präsentiert, sofern sie als solche zu erkennen sind. -

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Ombudsman of the Republic of Latvia

Baznīcas iela 25, Riga, LV-1010, tel.: +371 67686768, fax: +371 67244074, e-mail: tiesibsargs@tiesibsargs.lv, www.tiesibsargs.lv

Riga

People Make the Language Great

Information for media and the public

Riga, 15.06.2017

The State of Latvia, proclaimed on 18 November 1918, has been established to guarantee the existence and development of the Latvian nation, its language and culture and to ensure freedom and promote welfare of the people of Latvia and each individual.

More than a quarter of a century has passed since the beginnings of the Third Awakening and events of May 1990. In Latvia, we celebrate May not only because of the Day of the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia but also due to the Latvian Language Day celebrated on 13 May.

Preamble of our Constitution, the Satversme, reveals that Latvian language attests the identity of Latvia and it is a foundation of a cohesive society. We must understand that no language and no culture is a threat in a multinational society. Mutual respect and symbiosis of the State and cultures is possible.

Twelve years ago, on 26 May, our parliament the Saeima ratified the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. It proves that Latvia has been and will be a land where various national and ethnic groups reside and that the Republic of Latvia has not stood and will not stand in the way of national minorities to maintain their culture by using their mother tongue in the family, community (unofficial and internal communication), and religious organisations. It is also verified by Article 114 of the Satversme, which states that “persons belonging to ethnic minorities have the right to preserve and develop their language and their ethnic and cultural identity”.

I want to remind and stress that national minorities do not represent only those groups in our State with culture, religion or language different from Latvian. National minorities are groups who have been living in Latvia for generations by following their traditions; they regard themselves as a part of the State and society of Latvia and have confirmed that with belonging to the citizenship of Latvia.

Both the European Court of Human Rights and the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia have recognised that the State of Latvia may regulate the use of the official language, in compliance with fundamental human rights. The Constitutional Court has stated that the necessity to protect the official language and to strengthen its use is closely related to the democratic regime of the State: “… in the context of globalisation, Latvia is the only place in the world where the existence and development of the Latvian language and, by the same token, the Latvian nation, can be guaranteed, a restriction or limitation on the use of [this] language ... on the national territory constitutes a threat to the democratic regime of the State”[1]. To protect. To protect the official language aiming not to forbid somebody from doing something but to guarantee the fundamental values of the State that have been fixed in the Satversme.

I wish the solidarity that strengthened us during the late 1980s and early 1990s revived, as it allowed a nation formed by a totality of multi-ethnic people make a step towards restoration of a state based on democratic values.

I wish it to be heard that there is no other place in the world where maintaining the cultural and historical heritage of the Latvian nation has been set as a national goal, where the Latvian language, a value significant for the State, has been guaranteed with such possibility of protection, preservation and development as it is in the Republic of Latvia.

I wish that we all who live in Latvia understood — we have reached much as a State, but we must admit that we could have done and can do more. But it can only be done together, without sorting ours and others and by looking for those things that unite us instead of parting us. I believe that one of the most important things capable of uniting is our Latvian language, which serves as a means for not only communication but also understanding amongst all residents of Latvia irrespective of their nationality, mother tongue and religion.

Why are we proud of speaking English? Why are we proud of speaking German or French? And why are we not proud of speaking Latvian? Why not to be proud of speaking a language spoken by few millions only? Why do we not use the opportunity to be a part of something so special, rare and protectable? It is our Latvian language — small, but ancient and cared for, strong and sonorous. And people are the ones that make a language great. People who think in it, speak it and listen to it. I am truly honoured to be amongst those few millions thinking in, speaking and listening to the Latvian language, and I am glad to understand and be understood by others.

Ombudsman of the Republic of Latvia

Juris Jansons

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AWARD - Tatjana MERZLJAKOWA

Dear members of the EOI, 

The EOI has received the information that on 16 May 2017 the Governor of Sverdlovsk Region, Evgeny Kuivashev, had awarded Tatyana Merzlyakova, Ombudsman of Sverdlovsk Region since 2001, the title of Honorary Citizen of Sverdlovsk Region. 

This title was established in 2005 by the Regional Law as the highest Regional degree for persons who have outstanding achievements in the economic, scientific, technical, social, cultural and (or) other spheres of society's life, contributing to the strengthening and development of Sverdlovsk region, the growth of its authority in the Russian Federation and abroad".

With best regards,

Dr. Josef Siegele

Secretary General

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Moldova - IMPORTANT

Dear colleagues,
The Office of the People’s Advocate of Moldova is very pleased to announce that the statute and role of the People’s Advocate have been enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova.

The new regulations on the status and role of the People's Advocate entered into force, starting May 19th, with the publication in the Official Monitor no.155-161 / 261 of the Parliament's Law No. 70 of 13.04.2017, for completing the second title of the Supreme Law.
The modification was included in a new chapter – Chapter III1, under art. 591. Completing the Constitution with provisions providing specific constitutional guarantees for the election, status, mandate and powers of the People's Advocate gives the Ombudsman's institution a solid legislative foundation and contributes to increasing its independence and autonomy vis-à-vis any public authority. This comes as a result of the recommendations made to Moldovan authorities by the Venice Commission in the Opinion on the Law No. 52 on the People's Advocate (Ombudsman), adopted at the 103rd Plenary Meeting in June 2015.

Please find attached unofficial translation of the new article. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate contacting us.

Sincerely,
         
Elena Coroi
Consultant,
Human rights promotion, communication and international relations unit
The Office of the People's Advocate (Ombudsman)
of the Republic of Moldova

Republic of Moldova

THE PARLIAMENT

LAW No. 70 Of 13.04.2017

To complete Title II of the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova

Published: 19.05.2017 in the Official Monitor No. 155-161 art No: 261

The Parliament adopts this Constitutional Law.

Unique article - Title II of the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova, adopted on 29 July 1994 (republished in the Official Monitor of the Republic of Moldova, 2016, No. 78, Article 140), with ulterior amendments and supplements, shall be supplemented by Chapter III¹  with the following content:

 Chapter III¹

THE PEOPLE'S ADVOCATE

Article 59¹

Statute and role of the People's Advocate

    (1) The People's Advocate shall ensure the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

    (2) A person qualified for appointment as People's Advocate shall enjoy a perfect reputation, shall have high professional competence and notorious activity in the field of defense and promotion of human rights.

    (3) The People's Advocate shall be appointed by Parliament, with the vote of the majority of the elected deputies, on the basis of a transparent selection procedure, prescribed by law, for a non-renewable term of seven years. During the term, the People's Advocate is independent and impartial. It cannot be subject to any imperative or representative mandate.

    (4) The People's Advocate shall not be legally answerable for the opinions expressed in relation to the exercise of the mandate.

    (5) The People's Advocate cannot perform any other remunerated function, except for didactic, scientific or creative activities. The People's Advocate has no right to engage in political activity and cannot be a member of any political party.

    (6) Interference in the activity of the People's Advocate, deliberate ignorance of the referrals and recommendations of the People’s Advocate, as well as the obstruction in any way of his activity, bring legal liability in accordance with the law.

    (7) The People's Advocate may be dismissed by a 2/3 vote of the elected deputies, in accordance with the procedure established by the law, which provides for a prior hearing to be conducted before the vote.

    (8) The organization and functioning of the Institution of the People's Advocate shall be determined by organic law. "

 

    THE PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENT Andrian CANDU

    Nr. 70., Chisinau, April 13, 2017

Հայաստանի եւ Արցախի մարդու իրավունքների պաշտպաններն աշխատանքային հանդիպում են ունեցել ԵՕԻ գլխավոր քարտուղարի հետ

 

16.02.2017

Փետրվարի 15-ին Վիեննա քաղաքում կայացել է Եվրոպական օմբուդսմենների ինստիտուտի (European Ombudsman Institute) գլխավոր քարտուղար Ժոզեֆ Սիգելեի, Հայաստանի մարդու իրավունքների պաշտպան Արման Թաթոյանի, Արցախի մարդու իրավունքների պաշտպան Ռուբեն Մելիքյանի աշխատանքային հանդիպումը։

 

Ժոզեֆ Սիգելեն ներկայացրել է ԵՕԻ ընթացիկ գործունեությունը և առաջիկա ծրագրերը, իսկ Արման Թաթոյանն ու Ռուբեն Մելիքյանը, համապատասխանաբար, ՀՀ-ում և ԼՂՀ-ում մարդու իրավունքների վիճակը, առկա մարտահրավերները և դրանց հաղթահարման ուղիները։

 

Ռուբեն Մելիքյանը նաև ներկայացրել է 2016թ. ապրիլյան պատերազմի ընթացքում Ադրբեջանի կատարած դաժանությունների վերաբերյալ փաստահավաք առաքելության արդյունքները։ Կողմերը քննարկել են նաև Ալեքսանդր Լապշինի գործով վերջին զարգացումները։

 

Հարկ է նշել, որ Արցախի մարդու իրավունքների պաշտպանի հաստատությունը 2009 թվականից Եվրոպական օմբուդսմենների ինստիտուտի անհատական անդամ է։

 

 

The Ombudsmen of the Republic of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh had an official meeting with the EOI Secretary General.

 

On 15 February in Vienna, an official meeting was held between the EOI Secretary General Mr. Jozeph Sigele and the Human Rights Defenders of Armenia Mr. Arman Tatoyan and the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh Republic) Ruben Melikyan.

During the meeting, Jozeph Sigele presented the ongoing activities and future plans of the EOI. Arman Tatoyan and Ruben Melikyan respectively introduced the human rights situation, current challenges and the means to overcome them in Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.   

Ruben Melikyan also presented the results of the fact-finding mission concerning to the Azerbaijani hostilities during the April war in 2016.

The recent developments on Alexander Lapshin’s case were also discussed by the Parties.

It should be mentioned that the Human Rights Defender’s Institute of Artsakh is an individual member of the EOI since 2009.

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Bürgerbeauftragter ist Anlaufstelle für rat-, schutz- und hilfesuchende Bürger

       Dieter Burgard stellt seinen Bericht für das Jahr 2016 vor

 

Der Bürgerbeauftragte des Landes Rheinland-Pfalz, Dieter Burgard, übergab heute seinen Jahresbericht für das Jahr 2016 an Landtagspräsident Hendrik Hering sowie an Ministerpräsidentin Malu Dreyer und stellte ihn der Öffentlichkeit vor.   Der Bürgerbeauftragte arbeitet für den Landtag bei Anliegen und Beschwerden mit öffentlichen Stellen für die Bürger kostenlos.   Mit 2.281 neuen Eingaben wandten sich insgesamt mehr als 4.000 Bürgerinnen und Bürger im zurückliegenden Jahr an Burgard. Hinzu kommen noch hunderte telefonische Anfragen und Bitten um Rat und Auskunft. Das Niveau der Vorjahre wurde leicht übertroffen.   Seit 43 Jahren gibt es diese bürgernahe Institution, die bisher bei fast insgesamt 132.000 Petitionen eine positive Lösung suchte und bei rund 2/3 der Fälle eine Zufriedenheit bei den Betroffenen erreichte.    Als wichtiges Element bürgerschaftlicher Teilhabe gibt es seit 2011 die öffentliche Petition. Die Möglichkeit, eine Petition „online zu stellen“ und damit um Unterstützer in der Öffentlichkeit zu werben, ist selbstverständlich geworden. 9 Petitionen mit 416 Unterstützern wurden 2016 veröffentlicht.   Schwerpunkte waren Eingaben der Rechtspflege/des Strafvollzugs (541 davon 450 Strafvollzug), dem Sozialwesen (328), der Ordnungsverwaltung (254) sowie der Landwirtschaft und der Umwelt (160).   Eingaben zum Verkehrsrecht (144) gehörten im Bereich Ordnungsverwaltung/Verkehr zu den Arbeitsschwerpunkten.

Im Bereich Bauen und Wohnen betrafen 85 Eingaben das Baurecht und 34 Eingaben Planverfahren. 100 Eingaben hatten ausländerrechtliche Anliegen.   Im Bereich Soziales standen Leistungen nach dem Sozialgesetzbuch Zweites Buch im Mittelpunkt von 97 Einzelanliegen sowie 95 Eingaben zu den Rechts-bereichen der Sozialhilfe, der Grundsicherung oder sozialen Hilfen. Probleme zur Grundsicherung für Arbeitsuchende, das sog. Arbeitslosengeld II und die Grundsicherung im Alter und bei Erwerbsminderung betrafen vor allem die Berechnung, sowie Kürzungen oder Nichtbeachtung von Aufwendungen.   Dieter Burgard bilanziert: „Der vorliegende Jahres-bericht spiegelt die Probleme und Anliegen der Bürge-rinnen und Bürger mit der öffentlichen Verwaltung wider und fasst diese zusammen. Er macht deutlich, dass die Institution des Bürgerbeauftragten notwendig ist und dies trotz einer im Allgemeinen gut arbeitenden Verwaltung. Gerade in einer schnelllebigen und von digitalen Medien geprägten Zeit, ist der Bürgerbeauf-tragte als persönlicher Ansprechpartner mehr als gefragt.   Baden-Württemberg und der Senat Berlin haben den Bürgerbeauftragten ausdrücklich nach dem Vorbild Rheinland-Pfalz im Jahr 2016 übernommen. Seit 19.07.2014 ist der Bürgerbeauftragte zugleich auch Beauftragter für die Landespolizei. Diese Eingaben werden seither in einem eigenen Bericht behandelt, der zur Jahresmitte dem Landtag vorgestellt wird.   Bürgerbeauftragter des Landes Rheinland-Pfalz und Beauftragter für die Landespolizei, Dieter Burgard, Kaiserstraße 32, 55116 Mainz, Tel. 06131/28999-0 E-Mail: poststelle@derbuergerbeauftragte.rlp.de Homepage: www.derbuergerbeauftragte.rlp.de Sprechtagstermine stehen in der Presse, den Mitteilungsblättern und im Videotext, S. 725 (SWR).

 

EOI - STATEMENT ON THE ARREST AND EXTRADITION OF Mr. ALEXANDER LAPSHIN AND PROTECTION OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH

It is a matter of deep concern that a journalist and blogger Mr. Alexander Lapshin was arrested and then extradited.

 The described situation tends to turn to an unacceptable situation violating freedom of expression and media.

Considering the fact that visits of civil society actors and journalists to Nagorno-Karabakh have invaluable significance in humanitarian sense and providing objective information about the situation there. Any action towards territorial limitation for fulfilling media representatives’ democratic mission is strongly condemnable. This decision on A. Lapshin’s extradition is a real threat to freedom of expression and media that lie at the heart of European values, as well as seriously endangers human rights values.

Apart from this, the extradition of Mr. Alexander Lapshin is very concerning because of real possibility of his torture and inhuman treatment. Clear sign of ill-treatment against Mr. Lapshin is that his arrest and transfer into another region was largely disseminated in media: handcuffed, apprehended by military in masks and with guns. Such treatment towards a journalist is impermissible.

It is especially worrying that someone, according to the information already received from some journalists, has sent letters to some of journalists with threats to prosecute them for their journalistic activties. It is not acceptable to use this impermissible step for artificial prosecutions and infringement of journalists’ and civil activists’ rights. 

The European Ombudsman Institute welcomes the importance of reactions protecting freedom of speech in any territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and other regions, already delivered by the OSCE special representative for freedom of the media, some EU officials and human rights defender organizations.

For preventing such kind of vicious practice it should be preliminary confronted with strong condemnation.

 08.02.2017

_______________________________

 

Das Europäische Ombudsman-Institut (EOI)

richtet gemäß Beschluss des Vorstandes vom 23.09.2016,  in Nicosia– Zypern,  nachstehende Resolution an

 

 

                        den Human Rights Commissioner – Straßburg

                        den Human Rights Commissioner – Vereinte Nationen (UNHCR)

                        den Human Rights Commissioner – Russische Förderation

                        das Europäische Parlament

                        den Europarat

                        den Europäischen Bürgerbeauftragten

                        das Parlament der Russischen Föderation

                        Internationales Olympisches Komitee – IOC

                        Internationales Paralympisches Komitee – IPC

 
 

 

 

RESOLUTION

 

Erklärung zu den russischen Paralympischen Sportlern

 

 Die Vorstandsmitglieder des EOI bringen hiermit ihre tiefe Besorgnis über die Entscheidung des Internationalen Paralympischen Komitees (IPC), die russischen paralympischen Sportler von der Teilnahme an den Paralympischen Spielen in Rio 2016 und in Südkorea 2018 auszuschließen, zum Ausdruck.

 Wir betrachten diese Tatsache als eine Verletzung der Menschenrechte durch internationale Organisationen.

 Diese Vorgangsweise und Entscheidung widerspricht den Artikeln 10 und 11 der Allgemeinen Erklärung der Menschenrechte,  UN - Resolution 217 A (III) der Vereinten Nationen, vom 10. Dezember 1948. 

 Das IPC hat auch dem Russischen Paralympischen Komitee (RCC) die Befugnisse entzogen, das vom ehemaligen Menschenrechtsbeauftragten in Russland, einem Mitglied des EOI, Vladimir Lukin, geleitet wird.

 Die Entscheidung wird durch die Existenz von „staatlicher Unterstützung von Doping-Programmen“ erklärt, wobei zudem der Nicht-Regierungs-Status von RCC ignoriert wird.

 Obwohl das EOI absolut  gegen die Anwendung von Doping und besonders gegen die Unterstützung von Dopingprogrammen eines jeden  der Staaten sind, betonen wir, dass die vom IPC getroffenen diskriminierenden Maßnahmen jene Sportler getroffen haben, die nicht nur nicht ertappt worden sind, sondern nicht einmal beschuldigt worden sind, oder von Doping-Programmen Gebrauch gemacht oder sie unterstützt zu haben.

 Mit dieser Entscheidung wurden unschuldige Menschen zur kollektiven Verantwortung herangezogen und wir sprechen hier über Menschen mit Behinderungen.

 Es gibt daher wohl begründete Annahmen, dass durch die Sperre von russischen paralympischen Wettkämpfern,  die Rechte der schutzbedürftigsten Menschen, die eine spezielle Behandlung und Respekt benötigen, verletzt wurden und diese Entscheidung politisch motiviert ist und war.

 Der Ausschluss der russischen paralympischen Sportler widerspricht dem Gedanken des paralympischen Sports und dem Grundsatz der UN Generalversammlung, Resolution 217 A (III), nach welcher der Sport außerhalb der Politik liegt und ihnen mit dieser Entscheidung das Recht auf Verteidigung vorenthalten wurde.

 Es wäre daher korrekt wenn IOC und IPC Entscheidung der kollektiven Bestrafung aufheben würden und nur jene WettkämpferInnen zur Verantwortung ziehen und ausschließen möge, die nachweislich gegen Dopingregeln verstoßen haben.

 Verabschiedet auf der EOI - Vorstandssitzung in Nikosia, Zypern

 23. September 2016

 

 

Европейский Институт Омбудсмена (ЕИО)

направляет согласно решению своего Правления, принятому 23.09.2016 в Никосии (Кипр), нижеследующую резолюцию

 

Комиссару Совета Европы по правам человека – Страсбург

Верховному комиссару ООН по правам человека (ВКПЧ)

            Уполномоченному по правам человека в Российской Федерации

            Европейскому парламенту

            Совету Европы

            Европейскому Омбудсмену

Федеральному Собранию Российской Федерации

            Международному Олимпийскому комитету - МОК

            Международному Паралимпийскому комитету - МПК

 

 

 РЕЗОЛЮЦИЯ

 Заявление по российcким спортсменам-паралимпийцам

 

Настоящим члены Правления ЕИО выражают свою глубокую озабоченность в связи с решением Международного паралимпийского комитета (МПК) об отстранении российских спортсменов-паралимпийцев от участия в Паралимпийских играх в Рио-де-Жанейро в 2016 году и в Южной Корее в 2018 году.

 Мы рассматриваем этот факт в качестве нарушения прав человека международной организацией.

 Этот подход и решение противоречат статьям 10 и 11 «Всеобщей декларации прав человека» согласно резолюции Организации Объединенных Наций 217 A (III) от 10 декабря 1948 г. 

 Кроме того, МПК лишил полномочий Российский Паралимпийский комитет (РПК), которым руководит бывший Уполномоченный по правам человека в России, член ЕИО, Владимир Лукин, объяснив это решение существованием «государственной поддержки программ допинга». При этом, кроме всего прочего, был проигнорирован статус РПК как неправительственной организации.

 Хотя ЕИО абсолютно против применения допинга и особенно против поддержки программ допинга любого из государств, мы подчёркиваем, что принятые со стороны МПК дискриминационные меры коснулись тех спортсменов, которые не только не были изобличены, но даже не были обвинены в том, что они использовали или поддерживали программы допинга.

 Этим решением к коллективной ответственности были привлечены невиновные люди, а ведь мы говорим в данном случае о людях с ограниченными возможностями.

 Посему существуют вполне обоснованные предположения, что в результате отстранения российских спортсменов-паралимпийцев от соревнований были нарушены права наиболее нуждающихся в защите людей, которым необходимо особое обращение и уважение, а это решение было и является политически мотивированным.

 Мы напоминаем о том, что «Международная хартия физического воспитания и спорта», принятая ЮНЕСКО в 1978 году, в которую в ноябре 2015 года были внесены дополнения,  решительно осуждающие в статье 10.1 применение допинга, в статье 1.3 указывает на необходимость предоставления особых условий «молодёжи, включая детей дошкольного возраста, пожилым людям и лицам с физическими или умственными недостатками в целях всестороннего развития их личности с помощью программ физического воспитания и спорта, приспособленных к их нуждам.» А в статье 3.2 недвусмысленно подчёркивается роль Паралимпийского комитета как органа защиты интересов этих лиц при принятии решений, касающихся вопросов спорта.

 Отстранение российских спортсменов-паралимпийцев от соревнований противоречит идее паралимпийского спорта и принципам Резолюции 217 A (III) Генеральной ассамблеи Организации Объединенных Наций, согласно которой спорт находится вне политики, а данным решением им отказано в праве на защиту.

 Поэтому было бы правильно, если бы МОК и МПК отменили решение о коллективном наказании, а привлекли к ответственности и отстранили от соревнований только тех спортсменов, которые согласно достоверным доказательствам нарушили правила применения допинга.

 Принято на заседании Правления ЕИО в Никосии, Кипр

 23 сентября 2016 г.

 

The European Ombudsman Institute (EOI)

addresses corresponding the decision of the board of September 23^rd  2016, in Nicosia – Cyprus, the subsequent resolution to

  

                        Human Rights Commissioner – Strasbourg

                        Human Rights Commissioner – United Nations (UNHCR)

                        Human Rights Commissioner – Russian Federation

                        European Parliament

                        European Council

                        European Ombudsman

                        Parliament Russian Federation

                        International Olympic Committee – IOC

                        International Paralympic Committee – IPC

 

RESOLUTION

Statement on the Russian Paralympics

The EOI Board members hereby express the deep concern about the decision of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to suspend Russian Paralympic competitors to participate in Paralympics in Rio in September 2016 and in South Korea in 2018.

 We regard this fact as a violation of human rights by the international organization.

 This procedure and decision is in contradiction with Articles 10 and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations Resolution No 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948.

 The IPC also suspended the powers of the Russian Paralympic Committee (RCC), headed by former Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia,  a member of the EOI Vladimir Lukin, explaining its decision by the existence of "state support of doping programs", ignoring as well also the non-governmental status of RCC.

 Although the EOI is strongly against doping use and especially against doping programs support by any of the states, we emphasize that the discriminatory measures taken by the IPC affected those sportsmen who not only has not been caught, but not even been charged with using or supporting doping programs.

With this decision innocent people were brought to the collective responsibility and we are talking about people with disabilities.

 There are therefore well-founded assumptions that with the suspension of Russian paralympics violates the rights of the most vulnerable people in need of special treatment and respect and this decision will be politically motivated.

 The suspension of Russian paralympics contradicts the very idea of Paralympic sport and the principle of UN General Assembly according to which sport is out of politics.

The suspension of the Russian Paralympic athletes contradicts the idea of Paralympic sport and the principle of the UN General Assembly, Resolution 217 A (III), according to which sport is outside of policy and denied the right to defense by this decision.

 Therefore it would be correct, if the IOC and the IPC abolish the decision of collective punishment and only take account of those competitors who have been found to be in breach of doping rules.

 Adopted at the EOI - Board meeting in Nicosia, Cyprus

 September 23rd, 2016 

 

__________________________________________________

The Seimas has appointed Mr. Augustinas Normantasfor his third term as the Seimas Ombudsman

• 
  

 November 2016

   On 8 November 2016, the Seimas (Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania) appointed Mr. Augustinas Normantas to the post of the Seimas Ombudsman for the third term. Mr.                  Normantas also acts as the Head of the Seimas Ombudsmen's Office.

His candidacy was chosen by the Speaker of the Seimas, after thorough deliberations with different groups of the political parties at the Seimas, civil society and NGO’s that also considered the nomination.

“In the light of the resolution adopted by the Seimas in 2014, the Seimas Ombudsmen's Office is actively involved in the shaping of the overall human rights concept, policies, and practices in the country. Therefore, cooperation with the Seimas Committees on Human Rights, Legal, and Foreign Affairs has also increased,” noted the Seimas Ombudsman.

With the emphasis on a greater awareness of human rights and the enhanced visibility of the institution, the Seimas Ombudsman's Office is pursuing its goal of becoming a national human rights institution. The Seimas Ombudsman's Office is an active member of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) and the International Ombudsmen Institute (IOI).

Mr. Normantas noted that the Seimas Ombudsman's Office seeks to achieve that the authority would serve the people, by properly performing the functions assigned to it. Focusing on the negligence of officials at work and their noncompliance with laws or other legal acts, the Seimas Ombudsmen submit proposals and recommendations to the authorities.

“I believe that the efficiency of the implementation of such proposals is determined by the Seimas Ombudsmen's authority, knowledge, and competence, as well as thorough and reasoned arguments for the conclusions. Therefore, I am pleased with Seimas’ decision regarding the mandate to continue the work,” noted Mr. Normantas, after being appointed for the third term.

The Seimas designates the Seimas Ombudsmen, of which there are two, for a term of five years upon the nomination of the Speaker of the Seimas. Mr Normantas has served as a Seimas Ombudsman since 2005, while in 2013, he was appointed as the head of the Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EOI - Book Presentation - Innsbruck - Tyrolian Parliament

Book presentation at the seat of the State Parliament at Innsbruck:
 „EOI – European Heart of Human Rights“

presented by Nina Karpachova and Josef Siegele

Нина Карпачева и Джозеф Зигеле представили книгу «ЕИО – Европейское сердце прав человека»

в парламенте Тироля

The Book “EOI – European Heart of Human Rights” presented at the Tyrolean Parliament by Nina Karpachova and Josef Siegele

Нина Карпачева и Джозеф Зигеле представили книгу «ЕИО – Европейское сердце прав человека»

в парламенте Тироля

В зале Рококо Тирольского Парламента при участии Президента ЕИО Дитера Бургарда  и ряда европейских Омбудсманов состоялась презентация совместной книги Генерального секретаря ЕИО Джозефа Зигеле и члена Правления ЕИО Нины Карпачевой.

Ранее презентация книги проводилась в Вене – в Доме Европейской комиссии и в Киеве – в Дипломатической академии Украины.

Известная правозащитница Нина Карпачева является Первым Вице-президентом Союза юристов Украины, профессором Киевского университета  права Национальной академии наук Украины и первым Уполномоченным Верховной Рады Украины по правам человека. 

В книге представлены такие темы, как развитие институций Омбудсмана в Европе, права человека в сфере политической реальности и практике, независимость институций Омбудсмана в Европе, опыт правозащитных институций разных стран Европы и мира, таких как: Австрия, Болгария, Бельгия, Венгрия, Германия, Голландия, Италия, Китай, Россия, Польша, Украина, Япония и другие, сотрудничество Омбудсманов и государственных органов, а также демократическая и конституционная роль региональных институций Омбудсмана в Европе.  

Председатель Парламента Тироля Хервиг ван Стаа высоко оценил в своем выступлении важность издания в Украине книги, обобщающей 25-ти летний опыт Европейского Института Омбудсмана (ЕИО), штаб-квартира которого находится в Инсбруке: «Идея  создания ЕИО более 25 лет назад родилась в среде правоведов Университета Инсбрука. За это время в состав ЕИО в общей сложности вошли 183 члена, в том числе институции Омбудсмана, правозащитные организации и правозащитники со всей Европы». ЕИО оказывает важную поддержку своим членам за счет регулярного обмена опытом на научном уровне и содействием имплементации европейских стандартов в их деятельности. Председатель Парламента ван Стаа поблагодарил Нину Карпачеву за ее активную  деятельность в сфере защиты прав человека в Украине и за её пределами.

По завершении презентации Нина Карпачева вручила Председателю Парламента ван Стаа «Орден верховенства права и справедливости» Всемирного юридического альянса за его многолетнюю парламентскую деятельность в родной стране и в должности председателя Конгресса местных и региональных властей Совета Европы, на которую он дважды избирался. Особую благодарность она выразила за его поддержку Украины в борьбе за территориальную целостность и мирное урегулирование военного конфликта.

           Во время пребывания в Инсбруке Нина Карпачева провела переговоры с руководством правительства Тироля, председателем и депутатами регионального парламента, представителями городских властей Инсбрука относительно укрепления отношений между Украиной и Австрией при посредничестве со стороны ЕИО как на университетском уровне, так и различных организаций, в том числе ассоциации адвокатов и юристов.

 

На фото: Джозеф Зигеле, Хервиг ван Стаа, Нина Карпачева, Президент ЕИО Дитер Бургард, Заместитель председателя правительства Тироля Джозеф Гайслер

The Book “EOI – European Heart of Human Rights” presented at the Tyrolean Parliament by
Nina Karpachova and Josef Siegele

Presentation of the Book under general editorship of the EOI Board member Dr.Nina Karpachova and EOI Secretary General Dr.Josef Siegele took place at the Rokoko Chamber of the Tyrolean Parliament and was participated by the EOI President Dieter Burgard and a number of European Ombudsmen.   

Earlier, the Book was presented also in Vienna at the House of the European Commission and in Kyiv at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine.

The well-known human rights activist Dr.Nina Karpachova is the First Vice-President of the Union of Lawyers of Ukraine, professor at the Kyiv University of Law of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and First Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.  

The Book is focused on such topics as the development of the Ombudsman institutions in Europe, human rights in the sphere of political reality and practice, the independence of the Ombudsman institutions in Europe, the experience of human rights institutions in different countries across Europe and the World, such as Austria, Bulgaria, Belgium, Hungary, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, China, Russia, Poland, Japan, Ukraine etc., cooperation of Ombudsmen with the governments, as well as the democratic and constitutional role of the regional institutions of Ombudsman in Europe.

In his welcome speech, the President of the Tyrolean Parliament Dr.Herwig van Staa praised the importance of publishing this book in Ukraine and summarizing 25 years of experience of the European Ombudsman Institute (EOI) with headquarters in Innsbruck: "The idea of establishing EOI leaped in the minds of lawyers from the University of Innsbruck more than 25 years ago. During this time the EOI has included around 183 members, such as the institutions of the Ombudsman, human rights organizations and human rights activists from all over Europe. The EOI provides important support to its members through the regular exchange of experience at the scientific level and promotion of the European standards in their work”. The President of the Parliament Dr. van Staa thanked Dr. Karpachova for her active work in protection of human rights in Ukraine and abroad.

At the end of the presentation, Dr.Nina Karpachova decorated the President of the Parliament Dr. van Staa with the “Order of the rule of law and justice” on behalf of the World Jurist Alliance for his many years of parliamentary activity in his home country and on the post of the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, to which he was elected twice. She expressed her special gratitude for his support of Ukraine in the struggle for territorial integrity and the peaceful resolution of the military conflict.

During her stay in Innsbruck Dr. Nina Karpachova also held talks with the leadership of the Tyrolean Government, the President and members of the regional parliament, representatives of the city authorities of Innsbruck on strengthening of relations between Ukraine and Austria under the mediation of the EOI at the university levels as well as between various organizations, including associations of lawyers and jurists.

Photo: Josef Siegele, Herwig van Staa, Nina Karpachova, Dieter Burgard and Josef Gaisler, Vice-Chairman of the Tyrolean Government.

 

 http://euro-ombudsman.org/ombudsmen_activities/europe/nina-karpacheva-i-dzhozef-zigele-predstavili-knigu-eio-ve-evropeyskoe-serdtse-prav-cheloveka

  BU: f.l. Josef Siegele, Herwig van Staa, Nina Karpachova, EOI-President Dieter Burgard, Deputy Governor Josef Geisler

Prof. Dr. Nina Karpachova, Rector MCI  - University Innsbruck, Dr. Andreas Altmann, Ombudsman Tyrol Mag. Maria Luise Berger, Secretary General Dr. Josef Siegele 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT

 

Mr. Arman Tatoyan, Human Rights Defender of Armenia made an unannounced visit to “Abovyan”Penitentiary Institution along with civil society representatives, in particular with the members of “Children’s Association of Armenia” and “Civil Society Institute” NGOs, as well as independent experts on October 21. The civil society representatives who were present are also members of Expert Council on Prevention of Torture adjunct to the Human Rights Defender.

During the visit to the penitentiary the Human Rights Defender held private meetings with juvenile and female detainees and convicts, as well as got first hand view of the incarceration conditions.

During the visit the issues of medical treatment, as well as possibilities of realization of rights of the detainees of “Abovyan” Penitentiary Institution were also examined. A thorough examination into relevant documents was conducted.

In the framework of the visit Mr. Tatoyan also held a meeting with the administration of the Penitentiary Institution and discussed a range of issues pertaining to the incarceration conditions with them.

Unannounced visits of the Human Rights Defender to penitentiary institutions and detention centers will from now on be carried out consistently.

 

Meeting with Head of Delegation of European Union to Armenia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Piotr Świtalski

 

Today Republic of Armenia Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan held a working meeting with Head of Delegation of European Union to Armenia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Piotr Świtalski. Andrea Chalupova, Political Officer of the Delegation, also participated in the meeting.

During the meeting issues related to ensuring human rights protection guarantees, both in legislation and in practice, as well as matters pertaining to further development of the capacity building of the Human Rights Defender’s Office, and more specifically the capacity building of its regional offices, were discussed.

The Ambassador P. Świtalski has emphasized the importance of the Human Rights Defender’s Office in ensuring the rights and freedoms and expressed readiness to implement projects in the framework of bilateral cooperation.

Arman Tatoyan has underlined the role of the Delegation of European Union and has confirmed his readiness to initiate joint projects in the framework of human rights protection and to expand the areas of cooperation.

 

 

The Office of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EOI - Board Meeting, Moscow 18. - 20. June 2016

Members of the Board of the EOI with the High Commissioner of the Russian Federation Ms Tatiana Moskalkova 

The Agenda of the board Meeting was marked by a presentation of the EOI-book "EOI - European Heart of Human Rights", Information about the daily work of ombudsman in different European regions, the organization of the next General Assembly of the EOI, changes in the Board, Evaluation of Human Rights Standards and cooperations, Charter Click - Project etc. The organization of the Office of the High Commissioner in Moscow was perfectly and the board members were gratefully and had given a Special thank and respekt to the representatives of the Russian Federation.

Special Meeting of the Secretary General with the director Mr Sergej Nechaev:

The Meeting implemented the handover of the EOI-book, Expansion of cooperation and others.

===================================

 

Annual Report of Mr. Hilmi Jashari, Ombudsman of the Republic of Kosovo, I have the pleasure to present to you the Annual Report 2015 of the Ombudsperson Institution of Kosovo. This annual report describes the general situation of human rights in Kosovo and the activities of our institution in protecting and promoting human rights for the period January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015.

 The link to this report : http://www.ombudspersonkosovo.org/repository/docs/English_Annual_Report_2015_351292.pdf 

=================================

On Friday, June 24th, 2016, Mr Simon Matthijssen, former ombudsman and substitute ombudsman in the Rotterdam (NL) region and external adviser of the board of the EOI, was elected vice chair of the Human Rights Committee of the Conference of International NGOs (INGO conference) of the Council of Europe. Mr Matthijssen is the permanent representative of the EOI at the INGO conference. Next to this Mr Matthijssen holds a position in the same conference in the Expert Council on NGO law.

Congratulation:   EOI Board

 

                                                                                                                             Statement 

 

The European Ombudsman Institute condemns any violation of human rights regarding  civilians and attacks on civilian objects in Nagorno-Karabakh.

 We are concerned by the information that civilian citizens of Nagorno-Karabakh were inhumanly treated without any respect and by that offended in their dignity.

 Many people had allegedly to leave their homes, because of specific danger to their life, secondary schools and kindergartens, and the civilian life had to stop.

 Even ambulances transferring injured persons to hospitals had been targeted. We are concerned by the information received, that peaceful civilians were killed in the Nagorno-Karabakh settlements through partly cruel and inhuman methods of execution.

These methods of treatment of human beings are strictly prohibited according to all human rights standards.

All these operations constitute gross violations of human rights; they are opposed to European human rights and human values; they significantly endanger the European system for the protection and promotion of human rights.

 It goes without saying, that the protection of civilians, above all of children and elderly persons against these brutal operations, and the protection of secondary schools, kindergartens and other civilian objects are in the center of international and European human rights standards.

 Human rights are strongly protected by the legal norms of international humanitarian law.

European Ombudsman Institute - EOI:

 Innsbruck, 11.04.2016

 

                                                                                                                                     Erklärung

Das Europäische Ombudsman-Institut verurteilt jede Verletzung von Menschenrechten an der Zivilbevölkerung und Angriffe auf zivile Objekte in Berg-Karabach.

 Wir sind durch die Informationen besorgt, dass zivile Bürger von Berg-Karabach

ohne Respekt unmenschlich behandelt und damit in ihrer Würde verletzt wurden.

 Viele Menschen mussten angeblich ihre Häuser verlassen, weil gezielte Gefahr für ihr Leben, sowie für Hauptschulen und Kindergärten, besteht und das zivile Lebens aufhören musste.

 Selbst auf Ambulanzfahrzeuge sei während des Transports von Verletzten in Krankenhäuser gezielt worden. Wir sind durch die erhaltenen Informationen besorgt, dass friedliche Zivilisten in Berg-Karabach-Siedlungen durch teilweise grausame und unmenschliche Methoden getötet worden sein sollen. Diese Methoden der Behandlung von Menschen sind gemäß allen menschenrechtlichen Standards streng verboten.

 Alle diese Vorgänge bilden grobe Verletzungen der Menschenrechte; sie sind gegen die europäischen Menschenrechte und menschlichen Werte; sie gefährden das europäische System zum Schutz und zur Förderung der Menschenrechte erheblich.

 Es versteht sich, dass der Schutz von Zivilisten, vor allem auch von Kindern und älteren Menschen gegen diese brutalen Operationen, sowie der Schutz von weiterführenden Schulen, Kindergärten und anderer ziviler Objekte im Mittelpunkt der internationalen und europäischen menschenrechtlichen Standards sind.

 Die Menschenrechte sind stark von den gesetzlichen Normen des humanitären Völkerrechts geschützt und jeder Staat die Einhaltung der Menschenrechte zu garantieren und einzuhalten hat.

                                                                                           Europäisches Ombudsman Institute  - EOI :

 Innsbruck, 11.04.2016

  ============================================================================================================

Dieter Burgard neuer Präsident des Europäischen Ombudman-Instituts

Rheinland-pfälzischer Bürgerbeauftragter einstimmig in Mainz gewählt

 Die Generalversammlung des Europäischen Ombudsman-Instituts (EOI) wählte den rheinland-pfälzischen Bürgerbeauftragten Dieter Burgard einstimmig zum neuen Präsidenten. Der 60-jährige Wittlicher wird damit Nachfolger der ehemaligen Südtiroler Volksanwältin Dr. Burgi Volgger, die dieses Amt 4 Jahre lang inne hatte. Zu seinen Stellvertretern wurden  Prof. Dr. Dragan Milkov von der Universität Novi Sad (Serbien) und der St. Petersburger Ombudsman Dr. Alexander Shishlov (Russische Föderation) gewählt. Im Amt bestätigt wurde der bisherige Generalsekretär Dr. Josef Siegele von der Tiroler Volksanwaltschaft in Innsbruck.