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DAKH DAUGHTERS - Music-band for Freedom and Peace, Kyiv:  Concert 15.05.2019, Innsbruck

Dakh Daughters – Kiew

 Eine künstlerisch hervorragende  weibliche Musikgruppe, die für Innsbruck in Cooperation und dankenswerterweise mit Unterstützung des Herrn Botschafter Oleksandr SCHERBA organisiert werden konnten. Am 15. Mai fand ihr Auftritt dann statt. Ihre Lieder umfassten Texte in denen es um Menschenrechte, Würde des Menschen, Akpetanz, Toleranz, Freiheit und Frieden ging. Sie präsentierten nicht nur die ukrainische Musikkultur, sondern gaben moderne Musik in den unterschiedlichsten Facetten zum Besten. Sie brachten in ihren Werken zum Ausdruck, dass Frieden und Freiheit für alle Menschen wichtig ist und das sein sollte und auch die Ukraine ein wichtiger Teil Europas ist und sich vor allem die jungen Menschen so fühlen und gemeinsam in Europa zusammenhalten, zusammenarbeiten und sich gegenseitig austauschen möchten; mit gemeinsamen Kulturprojekten, Bildungsprojekten und gegenseitigem Respekt. Gratulation dieser engagierten Musikgruppe.

 Josef Siegele, Generalsekr.

Dakh Daughters - Kyiv

 An artistically outstanding female music group, has been organized for Innsbruck in Cooperation and, thankfully, with the support of Mr. Ambassador Oleksandr SCHERBA. On May 15, her performance took place. The songs included texts,  dealing with human rights, dignity, acupressure, tolerance, freedom and peace. They not only presented the Ukrainian music culture, they  also made modern music in a variety of facets. They expressed in their works, that peace and freedom are important for all people and should be for all and so the Ukraine would be also an important part of Europe, also that young people in particular feel this way and would like work together in Europe and exchanging views - with common cultural projects, educational projects and mutual respect. Congratulation to this engaged music-band.

 Josef Siegele, General Secretary 

ЗАЯВЛЕНИЕ

ГЕНЕРАЛЬНОГО СЕКРЕТАРЯ ЕВРОПЕЙСКОГО ИНСТИТУТА ОМБУДСМАНА

Во время моего рабочего визита в Украину, изучив на месте сложившуюся ситуацию с распространением в СМИ Украины недостоверной информации о действиях ЕИО, направленных на защиту прав и свобод украинских моряков, захваченных пограничниками РФ 25 ноября 2018 года, считаю необходимым заявить следующее:

Европейский Институт Омбудсмана (ЕОИ):

- разделяя озабоченность, выраженную в Резолюции № 2198 ПАСЕ от 28 января 2018 года;

-  а также руководствуясь пунктами 10.5 и 10.6 этой Резолюции, призывающих российскую сторону освободить всех украинских заключенных в тюрьмах Российской Федерации и в аннексированном Крыму и до тех пор, пока они не будут освобождены, позволять контролировать состояние их здоровья и условия содержания под стражей независимым международным наблюдателям и международным организациям;

обратился к Уполномоченному по правам человека в Российской Федерации госпоже Татьяне Москальковой относительно предоставления ЕИО права на осуществление международного независимого мониторинга и выполнения функции медиации.

Осуществляя международный мониторинг, ЕОИ в вопросах соблюдения и защиты прав человека, действует независимо, методами «тихой дипломатии», исходя из того, что права и свободы человека не имеют границ и руководствуется исключительно международными стандартами прав и свобод человека. Тем самым, мы продвигаем эти стандарты, не делая на этом никакой политики. В вопросах разрешения конфликтных ситуаций, которые требуют нашего участия, мы действуем исключительно в интересах прав человека и судеб конкретных людей.

В письме от 7 декабря 2018 года, указывая на нарастание эскалации в Азово-Черноморском бассейне, в частности - в военном инциденте 25 ноября 2018 года и задержании трех украинских суден с 24 моряками на борту, ЕИО призвал Уполномоченного по правам человека в РФ способствовать деэскалации конфликта, осуществлению шагов по предотвращению и прекращению нарушения прав и свобод человека, в том числе возвращению всех задержанных и арестованных в ходе этого конфликта.

В письме Т. Москальковой от 30 января 2019 года особое внимание было обращено на ситуацию относительно трех раненных украинских моряков        А. Артеменко, В. Сороки и А. Эйдера. ЕИО обратился с просьбой об организации совместного визита к раненным украинским морякам вместе с Ниной Карпачевой, вице-президентом ЕИО, уполномоченной от ЕИО проводить мониторинг прав человека в Украине и Российской Федерации.

 В результате проведенного совместного визита Н. Карпачевой совместно с Т. Москальковой в СИЗО № 2 г. Москвы Лефортово в камеры к раненным украинским морякам, удалось достичь конкретных результатов в интересах трех раненных моряков: каждому из них было обеспечено проведение дополнительного медицинского обследования в гражданских медицинских учреждениях Москвы на высокотехнологическом специальном оборудовании, что позволило А. Артеменко и А. Эйдеру назначить дополнительные курсы лечения последствий от полученных ранений, а В. Сороке получить направление на осуществление оперативного хирургического лечения с целью восстановления функций руки во избежание возможной инвалидности.

В этой связи, не может не вызвать обеспокоенности позиция некоторых украинских политиков, а также отдельных адвокатов украинских моряков, которые попытались через СМИ политизировать миссию ЕИО и его официального представителя Н. Карпачевой, заведомо искажая эту миссию и выдвигая безосновательные домыслы о действиях ЕИО в интересах одной из сторон конфликта.

Считаем, что такие действия носят явно конфронтационный характер, не отвечают задаче, выдвинутой ПАСЕ по деэскалации конфликта, направлены на подрыв доверия к деятельности ЕИО, его дискредитации, и, в конечном итоге, наносят вред обеспечению и защите прав и свобод украинских моряков. Излишняя публичность, и, тем более скандальность в подобных ситуациях, вредят и делают невозможным конструктивный диалог между институциями омбудсманов Украины и России, создают дополнительные преграды для эффективных действий в защите прав и свобод граждан обеих стран.

Заявляем, что вице-президент ЕИО Н. Карпачева от начала своей миссии и до настоящего времени действовала и продолжает действовать исключительно от имени Правления и Генерального секретаря ЕИО. Для осуществления этой миссии ей выдан специальный мандат. ЕИО поддерживает позицию Союза юристов Украины, изложенную в Заявлении от 18 февраля 2019 года относительно действий Нины Карпачевой по защите прав украинских моряков.

Европейский Институт Омбудсмана является международной неправительственной политически нейтральной организацией с консультативным статусом при Совете Европы, объединяющей представителей правозащитного сообщества более чем 67 стран. Его основными задачами являются: содействие обмену опытом в продвижении и защите прав человека, расширению поля действия этих прав, сотрудничество с международными и национальными институтами с целью продвижения и обеспечения прав и свобод человека.

Мы призываем отказаться от риторики конфронтации и политизации сферы защиты прав и свобод человека, исходить из приоритета обеспечения и защиты конкретного человека, чьи права и свободы нарушены, перейти к диалогу и объединению усилий для использования лучших правозащитных практик: в данном случае – в защите и обеспечении прав украинских моряков на жизнь и здоровье, а также в скорейшем их освобождении и возвращении домой.

         В будущем мы также будем продолжать напрямую защищать права человека сохраняя при этом свой независимый статус.

Д-р Джозеф Зигеле,

Генеральный секретарь ЕИО

г. Киев, 28 февраля 2019 года

STATEMENT

BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN INSTITUTE

During my working visit to Ukraine, having studied on the spot the situation with the dissemination in the Ukrainian media of inaccurate information about the actions of the EOI aimed at protecting the rights and freedoms of Ukrainian sailors captured by the Russian border guards on November 25, 2018, I consider it necessary to state the following:

European Ombudsman Institute (EOI):

- sharing the concern expressed in PACE Resolution No. 2198 of January 28, 2018;

- as well as guided by paragraphs 10.5 and 10.6 of this Resolution, urging the Russian side to release all Ukrainian prisoners in prisons of the Russian Federation and in the annexed Crimea, and until they are released, allow their state of health and detention conditions to be monitored by independent international observers and international organizations;

Appealed to the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation, Mrs. Tatiana Moskalkova to grant EOI the possibility to conduct independent international monitoring and mediation.

When conducting international monitoring, the EIO acts independently on the issues of observance and protection of human rights, using “quiet diplomacy” methods, based on the fact that human rights and freedoms have no boundaries and are guided exclusively by international standards of human rights and freedoms. Thereby, we promote these standards without making any policy on this. In matters of resolving conflict situations that require our participation, we act exclusively in the interests of human rights and the destiny of specific people.

In our letter from December 7, 2018, the EOI pointed out the escalating situation in the Azov-Black Sea basin, in particular - the military incident on November 25, 2018 and the detention of three Ukrainian ships with 24 sailors on board and urged the Russian Federation Commissioner for Human Rights to promote de-escalation of the conflict, taking steps to prevent and stop the violation of human rights and freedoms, including the return of all those detained and arrested during this conflict.

In the response from Mrs. Tatiana Moskalkova dated January 30, 2019 special attention was paid to the situation regarding the three wounded Ukrainian sailors A. Artemenko, V. Soroka and A. Eider. The EIO requested a joint visit to the wounded Ukrainian seamen, along with Nina Karpachova, the Vice-President of the EOI, mandated by the EOI to monitor human rights in Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

As a result of the joint visit of N. Karpachova together with T. Moskalkova to the Lefortovo pretrial detention facility No. 2 in Moscow to the wounded Ukrainian sailors, concrete results were achieved in the interests of the three wounded sailors: each of them was provided with additional medical examinations in civilian medical institutions in Moscow on high-tech special equipment, which allowed A. Artemenko and A. Eider to prescribe additional courses of treatment for the effects of their injuries, and V. Soroka to receive operational surgical treatment to restore the functions of the hand in order to avoid a possible disability.

In this regard, we are highly concerned by the position of the some Ukrainian politicians, as well as individual lawyers of Ukrainian sailors, who tried to politicize the mission of the EOI and its official representative N. Karpachova through the media, deliberately distorting this mission and putting forward unfounded speculations about the alleged actions of the EOI in the interests of one of the parties to the conflict.

We believe that such actions are obviously confrontational in nature, do not comply with the tasks formulated by the PACE to de-escalate the conflict, and aimed at undermining confidence in the activities of the EOI, discredit it, and ultimately make harm to the security and protection of the rights and freedoms of the Ukrainian sailors. Excessive publicity, and especially the scandalousness in such situations, harms and makes impossible a constructive dialogue between the ombudsman institutions of Ukraine and Russia, creates additional barriers for effective actions in protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens of both countries.

We declare that the Vice-President of the EOI N. Karpachova from the beginning of her mission and so far has been acting solely on behalf of the Board and the Secretary General of the EOI. To carry out this mission, she was issued a special mandate. The EOI supports the position of the Union of Lawyers of Ukraine, set out in the Statement of February 18, 2019 regarding the actions of Nina Karpachova to protect the rights of Ukrainian sailors.

The European Ombudsman Institute is an international non-governmental, politically neutral organization with a consultative status to the Council of Europe, which unites representatives of the human rights community of more than 67 countries. Its main tasks are: to facilitate the exchange of experience in the promotion and protection of human rights, to expand the field of action of these rights, to cooperate with international and national institutions in order to promote and ensure human rights and freedoms.

We urge to abandon the rhetoric of confrontation and politicization of the protection of human rights and freedoms, to act in this case from the point of view of ensuring and protecting a specific person whose rights and freedoms are violated, to move to dialogue and join efforts to use the best human rights practices in order to protect the rights of the Ukrainian sailors to life and health, as well as promote their speedy release and return home.

We will also protect human rights directly and will also keep in the future our independent status.

Dr. Joseph Siegele,

The General Secretary of the EOI

Kyiv, February 28, 2019

Best wishes for 2019: 

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren Ombudsleute, politische Repräsentanten und Entscheidungsträger der Europäischen Union und Nachbarstaaten.

Das Jahr 2018 geht zu Ende. Es war ein turbulentes Jahr in der gesamten europäischen Politik, in Bezug auf Menschenrechte, verschiedener politischer Spannungen und Auseinandersetzungen, verbunden mit großen Flüchtlingsbewegungen, Menschenrechtsverletzungen und Missachtung der persönlichen Würde der Menschen in und um Europa.

 Was wünschen sich viele Menschen im kommenden Jahr 2019:

 Sie wünschen sich Frieden, Freiheit, gegenseitige Wertschätzung mit Anerkennung und Respekt, soziale Absicherung, Arbeit und Schutz ihrer Familien und gute Ausbildungsmöglichkeiten für ihre Kinder und eine gute Nachbarschaft mit allen angrenzenden Staaten.

 Was wünschen sich die Menschen für 2019 nicht:

 Sie wünschen sich keine politischen Querelen, kriegerische Auseinandersetzungen, Verletzung der Grundrechte und soziale Armut, mangelnde Wertschätzung und Akzeptanz.

In vielen Ländern, auch in Österreich, werden die Weihnachtsfeiertage mit Musik und künstlerischen Aktivitäten, regionalen Liedern dargeboten, sowohl von der ansässigen Bevölkerung als auch von Minderheiten, Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund. Sie rücken alle nahe zusammen.

Musik, sportliche Bewerbe und künstlerische Darbietungen beispielsweise vereinen alle Völker und Menschen unabhängig ihres Migrationshintergrundes seit Jahrhunderten und bereichern die kulturellen Verbindungen zwischen den einzelnen Ländern.

Erlauben Sie mir daher den Appell und Bitte an alle politischen Entscheidungsträger Europas und in der Welt zu richten, zum Schutz der Menschenrechte und Menschenwürde, im Neuen Jahr 2019 Machtpolitik durch Sachpolitik auszugleichen, eine gute Beziehung zu den einzelnen Nachbarstaaten zu pflegen und zu fördern.

Dazu gehört seitens Westeuropas, endlich wieder eine neue Beziehung zur Russischen Föderation – sie ist eine der vier Signatarmächte  -  auf kollegialer Basis herzustellen und nicht der politischen Ausgrenzung das Wort zu reden, denn Europa braucht Russland als guten Partner und Nachbarn und Russland braucht ebenso die anderen Mitgliedsstaaten Europas.

Nur in einer guten Nachbarschaft lässt es sich friedvoll leben und gemeinsame Synergien zu nutzen und Freundschaften zu schließen. Und dies wünschen  sich alle europäischen Regionen und Völker, unabhängig mancher politischen Gesinnung.

Jeder Staat verdient Wertschätzung  und respektvollen Umgang. Einige Länder waren im Jahre 2018 ein gutes Beispiel für gute Zusammenarbeit, vor allem  im Rahmen der Verbesserung gemeinsamer Beziehungen auch mit der Russischen Föderation und konnten auf höchsten Ebenen auch entsprechende Erfolge erzielen.

Der gemeinsame Dialog darf weder in der Politik noch bei den Menschen untereinander brechen, denn wer im Dialog bleibt, bleibt auch im Gespräch. Mit Wertschätzung und  mit dieser Zielsetzung kann auch langfristig Frieden für die Menschen in Europa gesichert und gewährleistet werden.

Diese Gedanken möchte ich zum Anlass nehmen, um ihnen allen ein gutes und friedvolles Neues Jahr 2019 mit dem Bemühen um gegenseitigen Respekt, Anerkennung und Förderung des Gemeinsamen für alle Völker zu wünschen.

 Ihr Dr. Josef Siegele, Generalsekretär

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, ombudsmen, political representatives and decision-makers of the European Union and neighboring countries.

The year 2018 comes to an end. It has been a turbulent year in the European politics, in terms of human rights, various political tensions and conflicts, coupled with major refugee movements, human rights abuses and disregard for the personal dignity of some people of Europe.

 What do many people wish for the coming year 2019:

 They want peace, freedom, mutual appreciation with respect and respect, social security, work and protection of their families and good educational opportunities for their children and good neighborliness with all neighboring countries.

What people don’t want for 2019:

 They don’t want political quarrels, armed conflicts, violations of fundamental rights and social poverty, lack of appreciation and acceptance.

In many countries, also in Austria, the Christmas holidays are presented with music and artistic activities, regional songs, both from the local population and from minorities, people with a migrant background. They are all close together.

Music, sports competitions and artistic performances, for example, have for centuries unified all peoples and people regardless of their migration background and enriched the cultural connections between the individual countries.

Allow me, therefore, the appeal and request to all political decision makers in Europe and in the world, to protect human rights and human dignity, in the New Year 2019 to balance power politics with property policy, to cultivate and promote a good relationship with the individual neighboring states.

This means that Western Europe have to regain a new relationship with the Russian Federation - it is one of the four signatory powers - on a collegiate basis and not to speak of political exclusion, because Europe needs Russia as a good partner and neighbor and Russia needs the same, the Member States of the European Union.

Only in a good neighborhood can you live peacefully and use common synergies and make friends. And this is, what all European regions and peoples want, regardless of their political views.

Every state deserves estimation and respect. In 2018, some countries were a good example of good cooperation, especially in the context of improving common relations with the Russian Federation as well, and were able to achieve similar results at the highest levels.

The common dialogue must not break, not in politics or among people, because those who remain in dialogue, also remain in discussion. With appreciation and with this objective, long-term peace for the people of Europe can be ensured and guaranteed.

I would like to take this opportunity as an opportunity to wish them all a happy and peaceful New Year 2019, with the aim of mutual respect, recognition and promotion of the common for all peoples.

Your Dr. Josef Siegele, Secretary General

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The Human Rights Defender has been recognized as a state institution of the year for public and transparent work at PR Awards

 21.12.2018

Today, the Human Rights Defender Dr. Arman Tatoyan received “State Institution of the Year” award at the Armenian PR Awards.

The organizer of the event, Ms. Astghik Avetisyan, the Head of the Armenian PR Association, while presenting the award mentioned that the Office of the Human Rights Defender was the only institution that had not received any negative assessments by PR experts and mass media representatives.

According to the organizers, the PR Award is based on scientific research and independent experts' opinions. During the research, surveys were conducted with target groups (PR experts, mass media representatives), the work of state bodies and the activities of state, political and public figures were monitored, the best projects and events implemented in the sphere of public relations in Armenia were brought together and examined.

We highly appreciate the joint efforts of the Armenian PR Association and the supporters of the Award, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and Beeline Armenia. The assessment of our work by professional PR experts and mass media representatives is also important to us.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

KARPACHOVA TOLD ABOUT RETURN OF UKRAINIAN FISHERMEN HOME

The return was made possible as the result of negotiations between the EOI Vice-President Nina Karpachova and Commissioner of the Russian Federation for Human Rights Tatyana Moskalkova.

The long-awaited return home of seven Ukrainian fishermen of two vessels – «ЯМК-0041» (three fishermen) and «ЯОД-2105» (captain Alexander Lysenyuk and three fishermen) took place on 30^th October 2018. At the same time, the seven fishermen of the vessel «Nord» returned to their families in the city of Kerch, the Crimea. The return took place at the checkpoint «Kalanchak – Armyansk». The fishermen of the three vessels could not hold back tears when they crossed the administrative border, because until the very last moment they did not believe that their return was possible and were extremely stressed. It was the return of breadwinners, whose families have  three or even four children.

The return of the fishermen was made possible as the result of difficult negotiations initiated by the European Ombudsman Institute (headquarters in Innsbruck, Austria) between the EOI Vice-President Nina Karpachova and the Commissioner of the Russian Federation for Human Rights Tatyana Moskalkova. The successful completion of this humanitarian mission was carried out with the assistance of the border and special services of Ukraine and Russia.

Nina Karpachova told that from the first minutes of the negotiations they spoke not about exchange of the detained fishermen, but about their returning home to their families. “It is important that we managed to overcome the mutual distrust between the parties and set them up for a constructive dialogue in order to ensure and protect human rights. We agreed on simultaneous actions at the border, which greatly accelerated the decision-making process for the return of fishermen. For me, the most touching and memorable moment in the return of fishermen was their mutual embrace in the neutral zone as of fellowmen”, - she said.

There are still undergoing negotiations on the return home of two captains Vladimir Gorbenko from the «Nord» vessel and Viktor Novitsky from «ЯМК-0041», who are under investigation and court in the criminal proceedings.

In the process of negotiations Nina Karpachova also raised the issue of the return of two Ukrainian fishermen of a small-sized vessel «ЯПЗ-0026», who were detained on September 10, 2018 in the Sivash Bay area and kept in the Simferopol detention center.

The EOI Secretary General Dr. Joseph Siegele expressed satisfaction that the Presidents of Ukraine and Russia supported the humanitarian action to bring fishermen home and reunite families. He thanked the EOI Vice-President Nina Karpachova for the successful implementation of the mission and her being an effective mediator and guarantor of trust for both parties of the negotiations. He wished her successful continuation of the mission.

Tatyana Moskalkova and Nina Karpachova agreed to continue joint efforts until all the detained and arrested fishermen returned home.

 ______________________________________________________________________

Von: DEYROLLES Fabienne <Fabienne.DEYROLLES@coe.int>

Datum: 12. März 2018 17:44:29 GMT+01:00

An: NGO-Unit <NGO-Unit@coe.int>

Betreff: Adoption de la Stratégie du Conseil de l'Europe pour l'égalité entre les femmes et les hommes 2018-2023 / Adoption of the Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2018-2023

 Chers tous

 Je suis heureuse de vous informer que la Stratégie du Conseil de l’Europe pour l'égalité entre les femmes et les hommes 2018-2023 a été formellement adoptée par le Comité des Ministres le mercredi 7 mars 2018.

 Vous pouvez utiliser le lien vers les actualités, sur le site de l'égalité des genres, ainsi que le lien vers le texte adopté de la stratégie.

 En tant que Vice-Présidente en charge de l’égalité et Représentante de la Conférence des OING à la Commission du Conseil de l’Europe pour l’égalité de genre, j'ai participé à l'élaboration de cette nouvelle stratégie qui sera lancée à Copenhague les 3 et 4 mai prochains.

 Actuellement, nous sommes  en train d'écrire une Recommandation contre le sexisme pour adoption par le Comité des Ministres. Ce n’est pas un  travail facile. La définition et l’approche sont nouvelles.

Les Etats membres ont été invités à participer à une compilation de bonnes pratiques pour prévenir et combattre le sexisme dont l’écriture est en cours (doc uniquement en anglais).   

 J'ai demandé à pouvoir recueillir auprès de vous, les outils de bonnes pratiques de vos OING pour les transmettre  à la Commission pour l’égalité de genre, aux fins éventuelles d'être intégrés dans ce travail.

Je vous saurai donc gré de m'envoyer le 31 mars 2018 au plus tard, le nom de l'outil ou de l'action qui combat le sexisme de votre OING avec un court résumé pour expliquer son but.

 Cordialement

 Dear All

 I'm happy to inform you that the Council of Europe Gender Equality Strategy 2018-2023 was formally adopted by the Committee of Ministers on Wednesday, 7 March 2018.

 You can use the link to the news, on the Gender Equality website, as well as the link to the adopted text of the Strategy.

 As Vice-President of the Conference of INGOs in charge of Gender Equality and Representative to the Council of Europe Gender Equality Committee, I have participated in the elaboration of this new strategy which is going to be launched in Copenhagen on 3 and 4 May 2018.

 Now we are writing a recommendation combating sexism for adoption by the Committee of Ministers. This is not an easy task. The definition and the approach are new.

The Member States were asked to participate in a compilation of good practices to prevent and combat sexism. Its writing is still under way.

 I have asked to gather the tools of good practices of your INGOs in order to send them to the Gender Equality Committee, so that they could possibly be embedded to the practices.  

I would therefore appreciate if you could send me the name of the tool or action that your INGO uses to combat sexism, as well as a short summary with the explanation of its purpose.

 Yours sincerely,

__________

Cooperation Agreement with Ombudsmen of Latin America signed by Nina Karpachova in Buenos Aires

The Memorandum of Cooperation in human rights sphere between the European Ombudsman Institute (EOI) and the Latin American Ombudsman Institute (LOI) was signed by Nina Karpachova, member of the Board and Executive Board of the European Ombudsman Institute, and Carlos Constenla, President of the Latin American Ombudsman Institute. Nina Karpachova had a mandate for drafting and signing the Memorandum from the EOI President Dieter Burkhard and Secretary General Joseph Siegele.

The signing ceremony took place in the reception hall of the National Ombudsman of Argentina in Buenos Aires with the wide participation of representatives of the law community of Latin America and Argentina.

The Memorandum is set to develop cooperation between the EOI and the LOI through sharing the best practices of human rights protection and promotion by national and regional Ombudsmen in Europe and Latin America, making lectures at the law faculties of universities, conducting joint research in the field of human rights, exchanging of research results, implementing publications in scientific journals, as well as organizing international conferences on human rights.

At the signing ceremony, the parties agreed that the first joint undertaking of the two organizations could be organizing an international conference on the impact of the growing external debt on the state of human rights protection in developing countries.

During her visit to Argentina Nina Karpachova also expressed her willingness and readiness to support the cooperation of the EOI with the Ombudsmen Association of Argentine, with whom an agreement on cooperation was also signed.

Nina Karpachova presented the results of her visit together with Carlos Constenla in the radio program of the Ombudsman of Argentina "People and their Ombudsman", which was broadcasted by 250 local radio stations throughout the country.

It is symbolic that the signing of the Memorandum took place on October 12 – the day when the two civilizations of Europe and America first met thanks to Columbus, in 1492.

Нина Карпачева подписала в Буэнос Айресе Соглашение о сотрудничестве с Омбудсманами Латинской Америки

Нина Карпачева - член Правления и Совета Европейского Института Омбудсмана и Карлос Констенла – Президент Латиноамериканского Института Омбудсмана, подписали Меморандум о сотрудничестве в области прав человека между Европейским Институтом Омбудсмана (ЕИО) и Латиноамериканским Институтом Омбудсмана (ЛИО). Мандат на подготовку проекта Меморандума и на его подписание Нина Карпачева получила от Президента и Генерального секретаря ЕИО.

Церемония подписания прошла в г. Буэнос Айрес (Аргентина) в зале приемов Национального Омбудсмана Аргентины при широком участии представителей юридического сообщества Латинской Америки и Аргентины.

Меморандум предполагает развитие сотрудничества между ЕИО и ЛИО в сферах обмена лучшими практиками работы национальных и региональных Омбудсманов стран Европы и Латинской Америки по защите и продвижению прав человека, чтения лекций на юридических факультетах университетов, проведения совместных научных исследований в области прав человека, обмена результатами исследований, осуществления их публикаций в научных журналах, а также проведение международных конференций по проблематике защиты прав человека.

Во время подписания Меморандума стороны пришли к соглашению о том, что первым общим мероприятием двух организаций может стать проведение при поддержке ЕИО и ЛИО Международной конференции по проблеме влияния растущего внешнего долга развивающихся стран на состояние обеспечения и защиты прав человека.

В ходе визита Нины Карпачевой в Аргентину выразила желание и готовность присоединиться к сотрудничеству с ЕИО Ассоциация Омбудсманов Аргентины, с которой также было подписано соглашение о сотрудничестве.

По итогам визита Нина Карпачева совместно с Карлосом Констенлой выступили в радиопрограмме Омбудсмана Аргентины «Люди и их Омбудсман», которую транслировали 250 местных радиостанций по всей стране.

Символично, что подписание Меморандума между ЕИО и ЛИО состоялось 12 октября - в день, когда благодаря Колумбу в 1492 году впервые встретились две цивилизации Европы и Америки.

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Dieter Burgard als Präsident des Europäischen Ombudman-Instituts wiedergewählt

Rheinland-pfälzischer Bürgerbeauftragter einstimmig in Bukarest wiedergewählt

Die Generalversammlung des Europäischen Ombudsman-Instituts (EOI) wählte den Rheinland-pfälzischen Bürgerbeauftragten Dieter Burgard wiederum einstimmig zum Präsidenten.

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. Von der Generalversammlung wurde ebenso einstimmig der bisherige Generalsekretär Dr. Josef Siegele, Stellvertreter der Landesvolksanwältin von Tirol, wiedergewählt.

 Der neugewählte Präsident des EOI Dieter Burgard (4. v.l.) mit seinen Vorstandskollegen

Das EOI ist eine unabhängige, nicht auf Gewinn ausgerichtete Vereinigung europäischer Ombudsleute, deren Ziel es ist, die Ombudman-Idee zu verbreiten und zu fördern. Dies geschieht durch wissenschaftliche Behandlung und Forschung auf dem Gebiete von Menschenrechts-, Bürgerschutz- und Ombudsman-Fragen, die Unterstützung lokaler, regionaler, nationaler und internationaler Ombudsmann-Einrichtungen. Schwerpunkte sind die Förderung des Erfahrungsaustausches auf nationaler, europäischer und internationaler Ebene, durch die Übernahme einer aktiven Rolle bei der Entwicklung und Förderung sozialer, ökonomischer und kultureller Rechte, die Zusammenarbeit mit lokalen, regionalen, nationalen und internationalen Einrichtungen mit gleicher oder ähnlicher Zielsetzung. Das EOI pflegt so die Zusammenarbeit mit dem UN-Hochkommissar für Menschenrechte, dem Menschenrechtskommissar des Europarates, dem Europäischen Ombudsmann und anderen internationalen Institutionen mit dem Ziel der Förderung und Sicherung der Menschenrechte.

Dieter Burgard, der für weitere 4 Jahre in sein neues Amt gewählt wurde, betonte in seiner Antrittsrede die besondere Bedeutung der Ombudsleute auch im Hinblick auf die aktuellen Herausforderungen, die mit den Flüchtlingen aus den Kriegsgebieten nach Europa verbunden sind.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION OF THE EOI:   

Please note this article and  following information: 

The article has - see below -  presented inthe website :  Russian-language, LINK:   http://minval.az/news/123725749    particulary a not correct interpretation.

The translation of the russian version means in english version:

 The “Ombudsman” of Armenian separatists was thrown out of the European Ombudsman Institute

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan, Elmira Suleymanova, participated in the General Assembly of the European Ombudsman Institute, which took place in Bucharest.

As reported to “Trend” by the Ombudsman institution on Thursday, in her speech Suleymanova highlighted the important role of ombudsmen and national human rights institutions in the fulfilment of “Sustainable Development Goals” adopted by UN in 2015, and gave detailed information to the participants of the event about Azerbaijan’s experience in that respect.

In addition, Azerbaijani Ombudsman’s substantiated and persistent statements prevented a speech by an institutional member of the European Ombudsman Institute, a citizen of Armenia, Ruben Melikyan, acting as the Ombudsman of an illegal regime created in occupied Azerbaijani territories. The Commissioner for Human Rights of Azerbaijan also protested against Melikyan’s former speeches in support of the separatist regime established in the occupied territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. As a result of those protests, the “ombudsman” of theillegal regime established in the occupied Azerbaijani territories was deprived of membership in the European Ombudsman Institute.

I entreate the author of this text to correct it:

Fact is:

The EOI is an inpendent international organization to protect Human Rights. The members are institutional or individual or correspondent members on the basics of our by-laws.

The Ombudsman-institution of the Republic of Azerbajan is an INSTITUTIONAL MEMBER, represented by the Ombudsman  Prof. Dr. Elmira Suleymanova. 

The Ombudsman-institution of the Republic of Armenia is an INSITITUTIONAL MEMBER, represented by the Ombudsman Dr. Arman Tatoyan. 

The Ombudsman-institution of the Area of Nagorno Karabak is in the EOI an INDIVIDUAL member, because Nagorno Karabakh is  registered an individual member of the EOI, and also as a non recognized area on the basis of the international law, represented by the Human Rights Defender Dr. Ruben Melikyan.

The EOI has not throwned or kicked out the meanwhile more then 14 years to the EOI pertaining   individual member of Nagorno Karabak, because the EOI makes NO political issues and doesnt't allow political exertion of political influences.

The Representative of Nagorno Karabakh, Mr. Melikyan  dit not make at the General Assembly 2017 a or any political statement or question, he made only an objective general inquiry  to children rights, without any political context to the presidium and got from them an answer without any political positions.

So - Dear Web-USERS - please note, that this article is not correct and I please you to do this in your own interest. Please note also, that the EOI is only interested in Human Rights and Protection of them and not in political issues. We aks to accept this. 

Please note: After the  misleading article - see below -  presented in the social Media, it will be implemented in a correct way form the author, than we take out our statement, because we are interested only in a good cooperation and relationship and we don't allow any political interference. 

Human rights don't have any limits, and anyone who works for them can freely express thems, so far as no political interpretations take place.

Dr. Josef Siegele, Secretary General. 

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03. August 2017

1.      Startseite

2.      Gesellschaft & Soziales

3.      Austausch mit EOI-Generalsekretär und Landesvolksanwältin

© Stadt Innsbruck

Bürgermeisterin Christine Oppitz-Plörer (M.) überreichte bei ihrem Besuch ein Innsbruck-Buch an Josef Siegele und Maria Luise Berger.

Austausch mit EOI-Generalsekretär und Landesvolksanwältin

Bürgermeisterin besuchte Generalsekretariat des Europäischen Ombudsmann-Instituts und Landesvolksanwaltschaft.

Im Gebäude der Meraner Straße 5 sind zwei für Innsbruck bedeutende Institutionen vereint: das Generalsekretariat des Europäischen Ombudsmann-Instituts (EOI) und das Büro der Landesvolksanwältin. Beiden VertreterInnen stattete Bürgermeisterin Mag.^a Christine Oppitz-Plörer vor Kurzem einen Besuch ab. Generalsekretär Dr. Josef Siegele ist zugleich Stellvertreter von Landesvolksanwältin Mag.^a Maria Luise Berger.

„Bei beiden Einrichtungen geht es darum, allen Menschen eine Stimme zu geben und sich für gesellschaftspolitische Anliegen einzusetzen. Es ist sehr erfreulich, dass auch das Generalsekretariat a Europäischen Ombudsmann-Instituts Innsbruck als Sitz gewählt hat“, betonte die Bürgermeisterin nach dem Austausch. Siegele bedankte sich für die Unterstützung von Seiten der Landeshauptstadt: „Die Stadt Innsbruck bringt dem EOI als internationaler Organisation eine hohe Wertschätzung entgegen. Ombudsleute verschiedener Staaten schätzen in Innsbruck die Natur und Umgebung, die Freundlichkeit und den guten internationalen Ruf. Viele wollen die Olympiastadt live erleben."

© Stadt Innsbruck

Generalsekretär Josef Siegele begrüßte Bürgermeisterin Christine Oppitz-Plörer im Europäischen Ombudsmann-Institut in der Meraner Straße.

Generalsekretariat des Europäischen Ombudsmann-Instituts

Dem EOI gehören 67 Staaten an, darunter unter anderem die EU-Staaten, ost-, südeuropäische sowie vorderasiatische und afrikanische Staaten. China, Japan und die Türkei zählen ebenfalls dazu. Sitz ist in Innsbruck und damit ist die Landeshauptstadt Veranstaltungsort wichtiger internationaler Konferenzen. Unter den 187 Mitgliedern sind nationale, lokale und regionale VolksanwältInnen, Bürgerbeauftragte und MediatorInnen, Menschenrechtler sowie individuelle Personen und fördernde Mitglieder. Zu den vielschichtigen Aufgaben zählen das internationale Ombudsmann-Wesen und Menschenrechtsangelegenheiten. Mit vielen Universitäten, wie Innsbruck, bestehen gesonderte Kooperationen.

Kontrollinstanz der Verwaltung

Im Anschluss an den Besuch beim Generalsekretär folgte Bürgermeisterin Oppitz-Plörer der Einladung von Maria Luise Berger. „Als Landesvolksanwältin stehe ich hilfesuchenden Menschen rasch und unbürokratisch zur Seite. Ebenso ist es mein Ziel, das Vertrauen der Menschen in die Verwaltung und Politik zu stärken“, erläuterte Berger. Die Landesvolksanwältin ist vom Tiroler Landtag als unabhängige und unparteiische Kontrollinstanz der Verwaltung eingesetzt. Berger wurde im Dezember 2015 in ihre Funktion gewählt. (SAKU)

• www.ibkinfo.at

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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

_______________________________________________

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.

________________________________________________

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

       Dieter Burgard stellt seinen Bericht für das Jahr 2016 vor

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

 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

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

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:

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.