High-Level Panel on Ombudsman Institutions - General Assembly, High-level panel

Good afternoon.
I call to order the high level panel on the importance of complying with Sven's principles for ombudsman institutions to strengthen the institution's independence and autonomy and create an enabling environment to perform their mandate nationally and internationally.
I warmly welcome you all to this meeting.
As mentioned in my letter dated April 13, 2026, this meeting is convened pursuant to Assembly Resolution 79 stroke 177 of December 17th, 2024.
This meeting will comprise of an opening segment immediately followed by the panel discussion.
The high level panel will provide an opportunity to discuss and share best practices on how the Venice principle can strengthen ombudsman institutions and help them respond to challenges affecting their independence and autonomy.
I will now make a statement as the president of the General Assembly.
Excellency's, colleagues, when a public service fails, when a government decision is unfair, or when authorities abuse their power, people need somewhere to turn.
They need an institution that can listen, investigate, and help restore accountability before injustice becomes entrenched.
For many citizens, ombudsman institutions play precisely that role.
They provide accessible and impartial mechanism to challenge unfairness, abuse, mallet administration, and the misuse of public authority.
Ideally, they act quickly, independently, and without the cost of complexity that often prevents people from seeking justice.
That is why independent omudsman institutions are critically to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
They also contribute directly to sustainable development goal 16 by strengthening accountable institutions, advancing access to justice, and helping build peaceful, just, and inclusive society.
But omudsman institution can only fulfill this role credibly if their independence is protected in both law and practice.
This requires freedom from political pressure, intimidation, financial coercion, and arbitrary interference.
It also requires transparent appointment procedures, security of tenure, financial autonomy, adequate resources and safeguards against undue influence.
The Venice principles adopted by the Venice Commission in 2019 and subsequently acknowledged by the General Assembly in Resolution 75 stroke 186 were developed to give practical meaning to these protections.
They provide the first dedicated international framework for ombudsmen institutions, established standards on mandates, appointments, operational independence, resources, and protection from interference.
They also build on the Paris principles endorsed by the General Assembly in 1993, which established minimum standards for national human rights institutions.
Together, these frameworks affirm a simple but vital principle.
Institutions entrusted with protecting rights and ensuring oversight also need protection themselves.
This is especially important because many ombudsman institutions are also mandated to functions as national human rights institutions, giving them a wider role in defending rights, addressing grievances, and strengthening public trust.
Yet today, ombuds institutions are operating in ever more constrained environments.
They face political interference, legal harassment, budgetary pressure, and administrative obstacles, all of which weaken their mandates and limit their operational independence.
These pressures also affect the people who lead and staff these institutions.
Many face intimidation, smear campaign, online abuse, and physical threats because of their work.
Meanwhile, public authorities is becoming more complex.
Decisions that affect people's rights and access to services are increasingly shaped by digital systems, automated processes, and emergency responses to overlapping crises.
Artificial intelligence, automated decision making, and digital governance are creating new risk for public administration and individual rights.
Climate related crises, displacement, inequality and shrinking civic space are placing further pressure on institutions and communities, increasing the risk that grievances go unheard, rights violations go unaddressed and public trust continues to erode.
In this context, ombudsman institutions are more necessary than ever, and it's true in the need to uphold the Venice principles in practice.
Therefore, let us move from information to implementation by protecting independence, defending mandates, and supporting those who carry out this work, and by ensuring that ombudsman institutions can serve the public with integrity, impartiality, and courage.
For ultimately upholding the independence of ombudsman institutions is a commitment to the people we serve.
People whose grievances deserve to be heard, whose rights deserve to be protected, and those trust in public institution must be earned.
I thank you.
By this, I now give the floor to miss Ild Brands Karis, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, for her opening remarks.
Please, you have the floor.
Thank you, Madam President of the General Assembly, Excellency distinguished participants, colleagues.
I thank you, the President of the General Assembly, for convening this high level panel and for keeping the role of ombudsman and mediator institutions firmly on the Assembly's agenda.
We meet at a time when human rights are under pressure on many fronts.
In this environment, trust in public institutions is more important and more fragile than ever.
Lack of trust undermines the social contract that enables effective, accessible and inclusive governance for the benefit of all.
Good governance also depends on holding accountable those responsible for human rights violations and on independently addressing grievances and complaints before they corrode societies and undermine security and stability.
Ombudsman and mediator institutions make governance more accountable and transparent.
They identify systemic failings of public services.
They help correct injustices called by maladministration.
They protect human rights defenders.
As a critical link between the state and the people, they strengthen the social cohesion that our times so urgently demand.
Excellencies, today's panel confronts a critical question.
How can we, as the international community, ensure that public oversight institutions can thrive in these challenging times.
Decades of experience show that being established by law is essential, but not enough on its own.
Ombudsman institutions may have too narrow a mandate or lack the resources to investigate effectively and may face political pressure or reprisals when findings point to failures in public administration.
They may be unable to reach those who face the greatest barriers in accessing justice, including people in remote areas, persons with disabilities, and communities affected by conflict or displacement.
International standards, like the Venice and Paris principles help test whether the necessary independence exists beyond the words in a law.
These principles are complementary.
The Venice principles guide the specific design and protection of ombudsman institutions, while the Paris principles set the minimum standards for ensuring they are credible and effective institutions.
The Venice principles are clear about what an enabling environment requires.
Beyond a constitutional or legislative basis that guarantees their independence, ombudsman institutions mandates must be broad enough to cover all areas of public administration.
Appointment procedures must be transparent and based on merit.
The holder of the office must have security of tenure and functional immunity.
Findings and recommendations must be made public and authorities must be required to respond to them within a set time frame, and to be effective, the institution must be adequately resourced.
Critically, the principles call for protection against reprisals for those who lead these institutions, for their staff, and for those who bring complaints or cooperate with investigations.
Excellency's, ombudsman and mediator institutions make a direct contribution to the 2030 agenda and specifically to Sustainable Development Goal 16.
When an ombudsman investigates complaints of maladministration, it advances access to justice under Target 16.3.
When it monitors the transparency and fairness of public decision making, it strengthens accountable institutions under target 16.6.
When it receives and acts on complaints from the public, it gives effect to responsive, inclusive, and participatory governance under target 16.7 and when it protects those who report wrongdoing, it defends the fundamental freedoms at the heart of target 16.10.
Strengthening these institutions, ensuring their ability to conduct their daily work effectively is therefore a concrete investment in the entire architecture of peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.
Excellencies, UN Human Rights works with member states around the world to translate these standards into practice.
In Central America, we support joint monitoring by the ombudsman institutions of Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia to document protection gaps affecting migrants and refugees.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, we engage with the Human Rights Ombudsman institution and the statistical agency to strengthen the collection, deseggregation, and analysis of data so that patterns of exclusion and unequal treatment are made visible.
In Timor-Leste, we have supported the ombudsman institution in training police officers on a human rights based approach to policing.
This operational partnership shows how ombudsman institutions can translate their mandate into concrete changes in state practice.
In Madagascar, our office has worked closely with the ombudsman's office since the appointment of a new ombudsman in December 2025, providing technical advice, facilitating networking with regional counterparts, and supporting a joint investigation into human rights violations.
Excellencies, these institutions are a vital part of the infrastructure that connects people's experiences at the national level with international mechanisms promoting human rights accountability and capacities.
That connection is becoming even more important as public institutions face new and emerging challenges.
Digital technologies and AI are changing the allocation and delivery of public services.
Ombudsman institutions have a critical role to play in monitoring these technologies, assessing their impact on rights and the rule of law, and proposing safeguards.
As conflict crisis, climate related displacement and shrinking civic space render their independent oversight role increasingly difficult, it is essential to recall that the Venice and Paris principles are not only meant for stable times.
These standards are essential also for our troubled times.
They help identify the safeguards that will allow independent ombudsman institutions to continue acting even when under pressure.
At this time of growing fragmentation and polarization, partnering for justice and human rights has taken on a new sense of urgency.
Allow me therefore to conclude by inviting all ombudsman and mediator institutions to join the Global Alliance for Human Rights, which will be launched by the High Commissioner for Human Rights next month.
To act together to make human rights central to leadership, public debate, and people's lives inclusively, creatively, and with determination.
I wish you a rich exchange today on how we can jointly ensure that these institutions have the independence, the resources, and the trust they need to serve the people for whom they exist.
Thank you.
I thank the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights for your remarks.
I now would like to welcome the moderator and panelists to the panel discussion taking place immediately after this segment.
I look forward as well, like the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights to a fruitful exchange and wish you all the best.
The opening segment is now concluded.
Thank you.
Good afternoon, everyone.
Excellency, distinguished delegates.
Thank you once again to the President of the General Assembly and the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights for opening our meeting today.
My name is Ann Sta.
I'm the Chief of the Intergovernmental Affairs Communications and Outreach Section in OHCHR, New York.
We now resume our meeting with a panel discussion on the topic, the importance of complying with the Venice Principles for ombudsmans institutions to strengthen the institution's independence and autonomy and create an enabling environment to perform their mandate nationally and internationally.
We have three distinguished panelists with us today, miss Nadeen Mayu, president of the International Ombudsman Institte Ombudsman De Morial, miss Angie Quikshank Lambert, De Fensora de los Abates de la Republica de Costa Rica, and Mr.
Rafael Bustos Gibert member of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.
They will discuss and share best practices on how the Venice principles can strengthen ombudsman and mediator institutions.
They will highlight some of the main recurring challenges faced by these institutions and how the Venice principles can help to prevent or mitigate such challenges.
Our discussion today will also explore how these principles can support the creation of an enabling environment for ombudsman institutions to effectively carry out their mandate, including their role as national human rights institutions in promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as good governance and the rule of law.
Without further ado, I turn to the first panelist, miss Nadine Mayo, president of the International Ombudsman Institute, Ombdsman of Montreal.
Miss Myu is a lawyer and accredited mediator and has served as ombudsman across major public institutions, later becoming ombudsman of Laval in 2013 and ombudsman of Montreal in 2020.
She is president of the Forum of Canadian Ombudsman and of the International Ombudsman Institute, where she also sits on its UN Relations Committee.
Miss Mayu is kindly invited to address several questions in her intervention.
One, what are the barriers that may hinder the implementation of the provisions of the Venice principles that seek to ensure the independence of these institutions.
And two, what are the potential impacts of emerging challenges such as AI and global crises on the independence and autonomy of ombudsman and mediator institutions, and how can the Venice principles be used to mitigate these negative impacts? Miss Mayo, you have your floor.
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Thank you very much, miss Mayo, for those insightful contributions.
We've heard clearly how structural, political, and resource related barriers continue to challenge the full implementation of the Venice principles, yet at the same time, how these principles can serve to safeguard the operating space of ombudsman and mediator institutions.
I now turn to the next panelist, miss Angie Cruikshank Lambert, defensora de los Aitants of Costa Rica.
Miss Cruikshank is a lawyer specializing in human rights and an international consultant and researcher who was elected by the Legislative Assembly as the omudsman of Costa Rica for a four year term in March 2023.
Cikshank is also currently serving as first Vice President of the Ibero American Federation of Ombudsman, FIO.
She was recognized in 2019 as one of the world's 100 most influential people of African descent under 14.
Miss Cikshank is kindly invited to address these questions in her intervention.
How can the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights better support the establishment of independent ombudsman and mediator institutions in accordance with the Venice principles and the Paris principles? Two, can you share examples and good practices of how ombudsman and mediator institutions have contributed to the implementation of SDG 16? Miss Kukshak, you have the floor.
Thank you.
Your Excellencies, by 2025, 21.8 million forcibly displaced and stateless people have been identified in Latin America, a crisis sustained primarily by violence, extreme poverty, and sociopolitical instability.
The regional homicide rate is 18 per 100,000 inhabitants, three times the world average.
Moreover, 50% of homicides in the region are linked to organized crime.
The other hand, in 24, 162 million people were living in income poverty and almost half of all workers were in precarious situations without stability, without full social security, and with limited capacity to claim labor rights.
It is a slow burning bomb for social protection systems with women and youth from their intersectional perspectives being the most affected populations.
In this context, ombudsman institutions play a fundamental role in the protection and promotion of fundamental human rights in states.
This end, we enjoy functional and administrative independence, as well as independence of criteria, which allows us to oversee public power without political, budgetary, or technical subordination.
However, reality confronts us with institutions that have had to be resilient, given the profound processes of political capture and loss of autonomy, which have significantly eroded our institutions.
Therefore, processes and recognition and strengthening of a global framework for the functioning independence, and effectiveness of these institutions is crucial.
Latin America, we face the constant threat of biased selection processes, where positions are contested based on political quotas rather than merit, when the ultimate goal is the strengthening of our offices, good governance, respect for human rights, and in general, the well being of our population.
We experience budgetary constraints, often justified by the rhetoric of austerity, which undermines economic autonomy and becomes a tactic that increases dependence on the government in power.
These situations become barriers that severely limit our presence in vulnerable territories, sustained contact with civil society organizations, and consequently the possibility of fully fulfilling our mandate.
Latin America has become the most dangerous place for human rights defenders.
Many ombudsmen and their staff operate under threats to their lives and physical integrity, and yet our delegates are frequently the only representatives of the states in conflict zones.
Latin American ombudsman institutions exercise their defense of rights through various avenues and mechanism based on the moral legitimacy granted by the people Their primary tools is the power of the voices that publicly denounce mismanagement and human rights violations, including those against human rights defenders and journalists who are silenced with threats and even murdered.
In various countries of the region, we observe regulatory reforms that weaken guarantees of rights and the dismantling of institutions that for decades were pillars of the rule of law.
Therefore, in the case of Costa Rica, we have promoted a reform to the Constitution to grant constitutional status to the ombudsman's office, thereby providing it with the functional immunity inherent to the office and greater institutional independence.
The Venice principles and the Paris principles are prime examples of tools that enable a solid path for the protection of our institutions.
Therefore, understanding these international standards, it is urgent that our ombudsman institutions develop strategies that can delve into a long term vision that allows without ambiguity, the strengthening of democracy, the rule of law, and the protective administration of human rights.
Regarding this role, we also have the authority to defend rights in the judicial arena, for which we possess broad legal standing to challenge the constitutionality of laws, regulations, or general administrative acts.
In the case of Costa Rica, this legal standing has allowed us to defend collective rights of various kinds, including those for indigenous peoples and even the national community as a whole.
Likewise, to defend individual cases when there was an urgent need to guarantee the right to the right of access to justice and effective judicial protection.
Today, the challenge is to guarantee protection mechanisms, particularly for human rights defenders.
Now, to address the question of how the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights can best support the ombudsman's institutions in accordance with the Venice and Paris principles, I believe it is not only possible but urgent for international and regional protection systems to strengthen their collaborations with ombudsman institutions and their networks.
To reinforce their political recognition and visibility at all levels in order to truly impact states, to protect them against any threat or attempt at suppression to guarantee their operational capacity and to strengthen their legal and constitutional mandates.
This is the next step to bring the guiding principles to life.
It is imperative that together with the UN system, we build our own specific mechanisms to support this agenda.
This could be through dialogue and technical assistance to states for the creation of a new ombudsman and a national human rights institutions, through mechanisms that promote greater regional and international dialogue, for example, by strengthening collaboration with Gandri and other bodies, and in particular, through the profound and permanent review of the ecosystem of ombudsman institutions, their work, the challenges they present in the regions and generating proposals for today and for the future.
Accreditations with Ganri has been a first great step, but we need to take another step by opening international spaces to strengthening our work through the exchange of good practices, the inclusion of diverse knowledge from different countries, and by strengthening our capacity to address emergent challenges such as artificial intelligence, disinformation, climate and migration crisis, systemic racism, and reparations.
I thank you.
Thank you very much, miss Christian, for your thoughtful remarks, including to highlight how ombudsman and mediator institutions often operate in very challenging contexts to safeguard human rights and protection mechanisms and how we need to foster more regional, international and national interconnection to foster stronger mechanisms in this regard.
Our third and final panelist for today is Mr.
Rafael Bustos Gisbert, member of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.
Let me introduce you very quickly.
Mr.
Bustos is the Spanish member of the Venice Commission and a professor of Constitutional Law at the Complutense University of Madrid, where he also directs the Institute of Parliamentary Law.
As a member of the Venice Commission, he has served as rapporteur for several opinions, including the 2024 report on bicameralism and contributed to the working group that drafted the 2025 updated checklist on the rule of law.
Mr.
Bustos is kindly invited to address the following questions in his intervention.
At a time of rule of law and democratic regression, what role do ombudsman institutions play in the overall system of checks and balances and how can the Venice principle support and reinforce that role? And two, what steps should oombudsman institutions and networks, member states, civil society, and international organizations take to further consolidate the Venice principles as an instrument for the promotion of the rule of law.
Mr.
Bustos, you have the floor.
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I now open the floor for comments and statements.
There is no established list of speakers for this meeting.
Delegations wishing to speak are requested to press the microphone button.
Delegations are requested to limit their statements to 3 minutes when speaking in their national capacity and 5 minutes when speaking on behalf of a group of states.
Time limits will be strictly enforced through an automatic microphone cutoff.
A timer will be projected on screen.
Delegations may also submit their full length written statements through email to etments at u.org, which will be posted under etments of the UN Journal.
I thank you for your cooperation.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the European Union, followed by Bahrain on behalf of the GCC.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its member states and share some reflections on this important topic.
As you all know, the ombudsman institution originated in Sweden over 200 years ago and has over time spread internationally as a model to ensure oversight of public administration and protect citizens from unfair treatment by the state, reflecting the historical shift from perceiving governments as instruments of rulers towards governments as a service accountable to its citizens.
In today's environment of democratic backsliding and growing authoritarian tendencies in many parts of the world, the role of the ombudsman institution is more important than ever.
The ombudsman institution is an essential watchdog to ensure that fundamental rights become a reality for all.
This has been recognized in several General Assembly resolutions, and UN member states have been encouraged to create and strengthen ombudsman institutions, to promote and protect human rights, good governance, and respect for the rule of law.
As the panel has highlighted, the Venice principles provide important practical guidelines in this regard.
By establishing clear standards for appointment, tenure, and legal protection, the principles set the foundation to ensure that ombudsman institutions can operate with the independence and autonomy required to fulfill their mandates.
Within the EU, we have national ombudsmen overseeing central public administration in all member states, with the exception of two, who instead have regional ombudsmen overviewing regional and local administration.
All the EU national ombudsmen apply the European Convention on Human Rights and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights in their work and assessment, as well as relevant UN conventions.
They also may contribute to the universal periodic reviews of their respective countries.
Although there are substantive differences in terms of functions, powers, and orientation between the EU National ombudsman, they all have four essential characteristics in that they first, investigate complaints as major part of their activities.
Two, treat plaintiffs as bearers of rights.
Three, take an objective view of the elements in dispute, and four, are independent from the administration or authorities concerned by their investigations and other activities.
Despite the strength of our frameworks, EU national ombudsman institution also continue to face challenges, including recurrent pressures that threaten their autonomy and independence.
The lack of human and financial resources is a primary obstacle, particularly when new mandates are assigned.
In some jurisdictions, governments or national parliaments may attempt to exercise pressure through budget cuts or delaying elections of new ombudsmen.
Ensuring that investigations lead to meaningful change can also remain a challenge and an important priority.
All public sector ombudsmen from the EU member states, either national or regional, are members of the European network of ombudsmen which serves as a platform to ensure the institutional independence and strength of ombudsman.
In understanding how the Venice principles and the Paris principles on National Human Rights institution can complement and strengthen each other, it's important to recognize that the ombudsman world and the NHRI world are deeply interconnected, but they remain distinct identities.
In the EU, 13 of the national ombudsmen are accredited as NHRIs and while the Paris principles emphasize pluralist representation and the optional nature of individual complaints, many ombudsmen successfully bridge these roles.
The European Commission strategy to strengthen the application of the EU charter for Human Rights adopted in 2020 recognizes that both these independent bodies are crucial for upholding the rights protected in the charter.
And the upcoming 2026 Charter report, which will be released in December, will focus specifically on the role of the independent human rights bodies, including ombudsmen and NHRIs.
The way we see it, the ombudsman institutions, by the very nature of the work, contribute concretely to the implementation of the sustainable development goal 16.
We also believe that they've stood the test of time as an important and a model for I thank the distinguished representative of the European Union.
I now give the floor to the representative of Bahrain on behalf of the Gulf Corporation Council, followed by Cyprus and Turkmenistan.
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Thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Bahrain on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cyprus, followed by Turkmenistan.
Independent oversight institutions are essential pillars of democratic governance, the protection of human rights and the rule of law.
Their effectiveness rests on a robust legal framework, genuine institutional autonomy, adequate resources as well as safeguards that protect them from any form of interference.
In this context, the Venice principles provide a clear and practical benchmark complementing existing international standards, including the Paris principles and guiding efforts to strengthen the independence and effectiveness of ombudsman and mediator institutions.
This regard, today's high level panel is particularly timely.
In Cyprus, the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights, namely the National ombudsman was established in 1991 under national legislation as an independent institution with a broad and evolving mandate.
The institution serves as an independent and extra judicial oversight mechanism for the examination of complaints concerning maladministration.
It focuses also on promoting good administration and accountability, as well as the protection of human rights, equality, and non discrimination, and carrying out preventive and monitoring functions under international human rights instruments.
Since its establishment, the institution has been further strengthened.
In 2004, through harmonizing legislation, it was designated as an equality body.
It subsequently assumed the role of the National preventive mechanism under the optional protocol of the Convention Against Torture and the forced returns monitoring mechanism, an independent mechanism under Article 33 of the Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities.
Furthermore, following accreditation by the competent UN subcommittee, it was also recognized as a national Human Rights institution.
Cyprus places strong emphasis on multilateral cooperation and capacity building.
Through active participation in international networks, the institution contributes to the exchange of best practices, training initiatives, and thematic cooperation on human rights monitoring, good governance, and institutional independence.
These engagements reflect a consistent understanding that strong oversight institutions are not peripheral structures, but essential safeguards of accountability, public trust, and democratic resilience.
At the same time, Cyprus recognizes the challenges highlighted in Resolution 79177.
These include pressures on independence, resource constraints, politicization risks, and emerging challenges linked to technological transformation and complex governments environments.
Finally, Cyrus underlines the complementarity of the Venice and Paris principles as part of a coherent international framework for independent oversight institutions and reaffirms their essential role in strengthening institutional independence, effectiveness, and resilience in line with GA Resolution 771.
I thank the distinguished representative of Cyprus.
I now give the floor to the distinguished Representative of Turkmenistan, followed by Morocco and then Austria.
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I thank the distinguished representative of Turkmenistan.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Morocco, followed by Austria and then Israel.
Thank you very much.
We thank you for organizing this important high level panel convened in accordance with the GA Resolution 79 177, that Morocco has the honor to be pen holder.
Morocco attaches particular importance to strengthening institutions that promote good governance, the rule of law, administrative fairness, and the protection of human rights.
In this regard, the Moroccan Institution of the Mediator constitutes an essential pillar of the Moroccan institutional architecture and reflects our national commitment to improving relations between citizens and the administration.
Today, Morocco is entering a new phase aimed at reinforcing the strategic and forward looking role of the institutional mediation.
In this regard, the institution of the mediator is currently developing a new strategic plan, 2026 2030, which seeks, namely to strengthen the institutional contribution to public debate on the quality of public services, consolidate its role as a reliable source of expertise and knowledge regarding transformations in the relationship between citizens and public administration.
Develop analytical and proactive tools to address institutional challenges and broaden strategic partnerships with national and regional stakeholders in order to bring mediation services closer to citizens throughout the kingdom.
Morocco also wishes to highlight several innovative initiatives undertaken by the institution of the mediator, including Project administration of equality, aimed at identifying and addressing forms of undeclared discrimination in administrative relations, Project territorial justice and proximity, intended to strengthen administrative equity for vulnerable population and underserved territories.
Initiatives promoting equal access to information and public assistance through greater transparency and administrative accountability.
Furthermore, Morocco launched in 2025 the Public Service governance forums, a participatory initiative designed to involve youth, civil society experts, and institutional stakeholders in discussions on improving governance and the quality of public services.
Lack of time, just to conclude, at a time when ombudsman institutions face emerging challenges linked to digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and increasing social expectation, it is essential to ensure that these institutions benefits from strong legal foundations, adequate resources, and operational independence.
Morocco reiterates its commitment to continuing efforts aimed at modernizing institutional mediation, strengthening good governance, and promoting a citizen centered public administration guided by transparency, equity, and accountability.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Morocco.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Austria, followed by Israel and Cechia.
Madam Moderator, thank you for convening this important meeting today and let me also thank the briefs for their available insights.
Austria aligned itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union.
Independent ombudsman institutions are essential for safeguarding human rights and the rule of law.
To perform their mandates effectively, these institutions require an enabling environment grounded in independence and autonomy as defined by the Vans principles.
Domestically, the Austrian Ombudsman Board, the so called Fogelsaf holds a status, accreditation, and operates with the full structural autonomy demanded by these international standards to ensure public accountability.
Globally, Austria has the honor to host the General Secretariat of the International Ombudsman Institute IOI.
In its capacity as seat of the IOI, Austria supports compliance with the Venice principles to protect the independence and operational space of ombudsman offices worldwide.
Strong, accountable national institutions are essential for international stability.
This conviction drives Austria's candidacy for an elected seat on the UN Security Council for the period 2027, 2028.
If elected, Austria will remain a steadfast champion for the rule of law, robust institutional guardrails and human rights as the necessary foundations for sustainable peace.
And I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Austria.
I now give the floor to the permanent resident of Austria I'm of Israel, followed by Chechia.
Apologies.
Thank you, Chair.
I'm honored to present the Israeli ombudsman institution and share the principles and values that guide its work.
The Israeli model is unique in the world as it combines two central responsibilities within one independent institution, state audit and the protection of individual rights through the ombudsman function.
This unique structure strengthens accountability, transparency, and public trust in democratic institutions.
The Israeli ombudsman views the Venice principles as guiding framework and cornerstone for ombudsman institutions worldwide.
In accordance with these principles, the Israeli oombudsman enjoys full independence from the executive branch in legal, organizational administrative and budgetary matters.
This independence is anchored at the constitutional level for Israel's fundamental law of state controller and omudsman.
Israeli ombudsman is responsible to the Israeli Parliament and is elected through a qualified parliamentary majority in a secret ballot for a single seven year term.
The office also benefits from financial independence as its budget is approved directly by the Knesset Finance Committee and is not subject to government influence.
These safeguards ensure that the institution can fulfill its duties independently and effectively.
Commitment to leaving no one behind guides the work of the Israeli ombudsman.
Any individual, whether a citizen, resident or foreign national including children, as well as any legal entity, including NGOs, has the right to free and unhindered access to ombudsman and may file a complaint in any recognized language free of charge.
Another important area of the Israeli ombudsman work is the protection of whistleblowers in the public sector.
The Israeli omudsman has unique legal authority to issue binding orders that protect whistleblowers from retaliation.
In this field, Israel has become a pioneer in promoting transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption.
We have also shared our experience internationally through a best practice paper approved by the International Oombudsman Institute.
In addition, the Israeli ombudsman has developed innovative methods of mediation to resolve complaints through dialogue and mutual understanding, helping strengthen trust between citizens and public institutions.
The Israeli ombudsman is integrating advanced AI and Cloud technologies into its work while training investigators and auditors in the responsible use of AI tools.
In addition, the Israeli ombudsman has proposed the establishment of an international IOI working group to promote shared knowledge and guiding principles for the integration of AI into ombudsman institutions worldwide.
Finally, we strongly believe in international cooperation, peer learning, and the sharing of best practices among ombudsman institutions worldwide.
Together, guided by the Venice principles, we can strengthen the independence and operational autonomy of omudsman institutions at both the national and international levels.
I thank you.
Thank you very much and apologies again.
I thank the Distinguished Representative of Israel.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Checha, followed by the Russian Federation and then Lithuania.
Well, thank you, Madam Orator.
First, let me thank all the panelists for their valuable insights.
The Czech Republic welcomes this opportunity to reflect on the positive steps we have taken to strengthen the institution of the ombudsman and to further align the national framework with the Venice principles.
The Czech Republic remains firmly committed to the continuous strengthening of its human rights framework.
We have taken a proactive approach to addressing legal and institutional challenges identified in this field.
In this context, the amendment to the Oombudsman Act, which entered into force on the 1st of July 2025 represents a significant step towards enhancing the protection and promotion of human rights in the Czech Republic.
Thanks to this amendment, the mandate of the Public Defender of Rights has been expanded to enable it to fulfill the role of the National Human Rights institution in accordance with the requirements of the UN Paris principles.
At the same time, the amendment has strengthened the protection and promotion of children's rights through the establishment of the Children's ombudsman institution.
The First Children's ombudsman has already been elected by the Czech Parliament.
When preparing the new legal framework, the Venice principles, together with the Paris principles, served as a crucial point of reference for the legislative changes.
This is reflected in a number of targeted measures aimed at reinforcing the independence, transparency, and professional integrity of the ombudsman institution.
These measures include transparent procedures for the nomination of candidates, as well as a credible and participatory process for their assessment and selection.
Our efforts to advance compliance with the Venice principles represent an important step towards improving the legislative and administrative environment in which ombudsman institutions can operate effectively and independently.
The Czech Republic remains committed to building on these good practices in order to further strengthen the ombudsman institution in the fulfillment of its mandate, including its role as a national human rights institution.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Excellency.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation, followed by Lithuania and Timolvte.
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E principle I thank the distinguished representative of the Russian Federation.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Lithuania, followed by Timor-Leste and then Portugal.
Thank you, Madam Moderator, for convening this timely discussion.
We also wish to thank all the distinguished panelists for their insightful contributions between Alliance itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union and its member states.
In today's increasingly complex geopolitical environment, democracies must remain vigilant.
Authoritarian tendencies, hybrid threats, disinformation, and pressure on civic space all undermine security, public trust, and confidence in democratic institutions.
In this context, ombudsperson institutions play a vital role.
They help safeguard democratic governance, the rule of law, good administration, and the protection of fundamental rights.
At a time when democratic standards and human rights are facing global backsliding, we are reminded that freedoms can never be taken for granted.
They must be protected and upheld every day through principled and determined action.
The effectiveness of ombudsperson institutions depends first and foremost on strong guarantees of independence, autonomy, impartiality, and adequate resources.
This is precisely why the Vice principles are so important.
They provide a clear international framework for protecting ombudsperson institutions from undue influence.
Lithuania, these principles are directly linked to the daily work of the parliamentary ombudsperson's office, an independent institution with a broad human rights mandate.
The office has four core mandates.
First, we safeguards the right to good public administration.
The office examines complaints, conducts initiative investigations, issues recommendations, and promotes better administrative practice across public institutions.
Second, as a national Human Rights institution re accredited with A status under the Paris principles, the Office addresses issues of systemic human rights concern.
These include freedom of assembly, detention conditions, the rights of persons with disabilities, asylum procedures, and public participation and decision making.
Third, as national preventive mechanism under OpCT The office regularly monitors places of deprivation of liberty, including prisons, psychiatric institutions, social care homes, infectious disease facilities, and detention of accommodation centers for foreigners.
Fourth, as the National porteur on trafficking in human beings, the office contributes to the implementation of sustainable Development Goals 16.2 and 16.4 by analyzing trends, institutional responses, and effectiveness of victim protection.
Importance of strong and independent ombudsperson institutions is also evident beyond national borders.
In this spirit, we wish to acknowledge the value based and humanitarian work of the Ukrainian ombudsmans institution in protecting deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children.
In conclusion, independent omudson institutions are cornerstone of democratic resilience.
They are essential for upholding human rights.
Thank you very much.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste followed by Portugal and then Armenia.
Madam Moderator, at the outset, allow me to thank all the panelists for their insightful interventions.
The Van principle serves as an international benchmark for ensuring the ombudsman institutions are autonomous, effective, accessible, and equipped to uphold the rights of all individuals.
Timor-Leste, a nation whose modern history is defined by a struggle for human rights, these principles are not abstract ideas.
They resonate deeply with our constitutional values and with the aspirations of our people.
A core principle of the Venice principles is the requirements to establish the ombursement institution within a constitutional or equivalent legal framework.
Timor-Leste fulfills these criterion by creating the provia ret mana in 2002 as its national embursement institution, which is constitutionally mandated and supported by national legislations.
This constitutional foundation ensures that the mbursement institution is not merely administrative body, it is a pillar of the state protected from political interference and empowered to act independently in the public interest.
To emphasize transparent merit based appointment processes and the security of tenure for ombudseman leadership, the ombudseman its deputy are appointed through a clear legal process with protections against arbitrary dismissal.
These safeguards ensure ombusemen can investigate complaints, issue recommendation, and speak truth to power without fear.
Furthermore, Timor-Leste has undertaken substantial measure to extend the reach of the ombudseman beyond daily by establishing regional offices and engaging in outreach initiatives with rural communities.
This policy is designed to guarantee that ombudsman institutions are accessible to all individuals without discrimination or unnecessary obstacles.
No ombuseman institution can function effectively without adequate resources.
The Venice principles are clear, the state must provide sufficient funding, staffing and infrastructure.
Tim continuous to strengthen the ombuman institutions capacity through though challenges remain, particularly operational challenges such as geographical and logistical barriers to nationwide coverage.
Tim adherence to the Venice principle is not merely a procedural obligation.
It symbolizes a fundamental aspect of our national identity, an enduring nation force through the pursuit of justice, dignity, and human rights.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste and I give the floor to the distinguished Representative of Portugal, followed by Armenia and then Spain.
Thank you, Madam Moderator.
Portugal welcomes this important discussion and considers the Venice principles, together with the Paris principles to be essential international standards for safeguarding democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of human rights.
They provide concrete guarantees for the independence, impartiality, and effectiveness of o bodsman institutions, including transparent appointment procedures, secure tenure, adequate legal mandates and sufficient financial and administrative autonomy.
Portugal's own experience demonstrates the importance of these safeguards.
The Portuguese ombudsman is constitutionally established as an independent state body elected by parliament by a qualified majority, ensuring broad democratic legitimacy and institutional autonomy.
The ombudsman also serves as Portugal NHRI with a status accreditation under the Paris principles.
The Portuguese ombudsman exercises a broad mandate, including investigating complaints against public authorities, acting on its own initiative, issuing recommendations, promoting human rights education, and requesting constitutional review before the constitutional court.
Portugal has also strengthened the institution through concrete mechanisms and programs, including the National Preventive mechanism under OCT, as well as the dedicated work on the rights of the child, persons with disabilities, including its role as a member of the monitoring mechanism for the implementation of CRPD, migrants, detainees, and older persons.
These efforts contribute directly to SDG 16 by promoting accountable institutions, access to justice, and public trust.
Portugal also underlines the importance of regional and international cooperation among ombudsman institution, including within European, Ibero American, and other international networks, as well as through bilateral cooperation initiatives.
In this context, Portugal wishes to highlight the importance of cooperation among Portuguese speaking countries through the CPLP Human Rights Network, which brings together ombudsman institution and national human rights institutions to exchange best practices, strengthen institutional capacity, and support the consolidation of independent ombudsman institutions in line with the Venice principles.
At the same time, we recognize that many ombudsman institutions continue to face recurring challenges, including insufficient funding, political pressure, limited mandates, or restriction on engagement with international mechanisms.
Emerging challenges including artificial intelligence, digital governance, and global crisis further highlight the need for strong and independent ombudsman institutions capable of protecting rights and ensuring accountability in rapidly evolving context.
Strong, independent and effective ombudsman institutions are therefore indispensable for democracy resilience, human rights protection, and good governance.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
I now give the floor to the representative of Armenia, followed by Spain and then Latvia.
Madam Chair, independent and effective ombudsman institutions play an essential role in promoting and protecting human rights, as well as strengthening good governance and the rule of law.
Armenia remains committed to advancing its national human rights architecture in line with international standards, including the Venice and Paris principles, which provide an important framework for safeguarding the independence, credibility, and effectiveness of such bodies.
The Human Rights Defender of Armenia continues to play a central role in promotion and protection of human rights at the national level.
It holds the highest level A status accreditation last granted in 2024 by the subcommittee on accreditation of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, reflecting its full compliance with the Paris principles.
The Office of the Human Rights Defender addresses a broad range of human rights issues affecting people in vulnerable situations with particular attention to the protection of children, women and girls, persons with disabilities, persons with mental health conditions, and persons deprived of liberty.
The draft law on the prevention of protection from discrimination designates the Human Rights defender as a national anti discrimination body, including through the establishment of a specialized unit dedicated to these issues.
Within the framework of its constitutional mandate, the human rights defender regularly submits proposals and written opinions aimed at improving legal and regulatory acts.
In 2025, more than 70% of recommendations of systematic nature submitted by the defender were fully or partially implemented by state bodies.
The number of applications and complaints received throughout 2025 increased significantly, including those related to criminal proceedings and judicial decisions.
Through its interventions, the human rights defender contributed to the effective resolution of numerous individual cases reflecting growing public trust in the institution and its mandate.
In this regard, Armenia highly values its close cooperation with the Council of Europe and other international partners in strengthening national human rights protection mechanisms.
Madam Chair, the effective functioning of the human rights defender remains an important indicator of democratic consolidation and institutional reforms in Armenia.
We firmly believe and committed to further strengthening to the human rights Defender institution in line with Javanes principles, ensuring an enabling environment for the effective implementation of its mandate.
I thank you.
I thank the Distinguished Representative of Armenia.
I now give the floor to the distinguished Representative of Spain, followed by Latvia and then Georgia.
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I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Latvia, followed by Georgia and then Kyrgyzstan.
Thank you, Madam Chair, and I thank the panelists for their important contributions.
Latvia aligned itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and would like to add the following remarks in national capacity.
Latvia reaffirms the central importance of full compliance with the Venice principles as a cornerstone for strengthening ombudsman institutions globally.
These principles are a collective commitment to independence, autonomy, and integrity in the protection of human rights.
However, the Venice principles risk remaining at the level of principles if not actually implemented.
To avoid this, the first and most important step is the incorporation of the Venice principles into national legislation.
In this regard, I highlight the law on the ombudsman of the Republic of Latvia as an example of good practice.
It integrates both the Venice and Paris principles, which allow our ombudsman institutions to operate independently.
The second essential step in safeguarding the independence of the ombudsman is the complete removal of any form of direct or indirect influence.
To achieve this, the ombudsman institution must remain entirely free from any hierarchical or subordinate relationship with either the executive branch or the legislature.
When ombudsman institutions operate free from political pressure with secure mandates and adequate resources, they are able to carry out their role as impartial defenders of fairness and accountability.
Compliance with thes principles ensures that these institutions can act without interference enabling them to address grievances, uphold the rule of law, and reinforce the public trust.
I thank you.
I thank the Representative of Latvia and now I give the floor to the Representative of Georgia, followed by Kyrgyzstan and then the last speaker on the list, Ukraine.
Thank you, Madam Moderator, Excellency, dear colleagues.
The Public Defender's Office of Georgia, the PDO, our national ombudsman institution stands as a strong example of compliance with awareness principles.
The PDO is established as a constitutional body.
This framework ensures strong alignment with the awareness principles and guarantees full independence and protection from any external interference.
It has an exceptionally broad mandate covering the protection of all human rights and freedoms and serves as a national preventive mechanism, NPM under the OCT.
The PDO is actively engaged in the work with the Venice Commission and OCODHR.
The institution also plays an active role and submits amicus curie briefs to national courts as well as to the European Court of Human Rights, thereby contributing to the development of human rights jurisprudence in the cases concerning human rights issues in Georgia.
These achievements have enabled the PDO to maintain a status accreditation from Gary under the parties principles.
State has consistently supported the PDO.
Its budget has steadily increased from 7 million Georgia Lory in 2020 to 11 million Georgia Lorry in 2026.
In addition, the law prohibits reducing the budget compared to the previous year without the prior consent of the public defender.
Notably, since 2020, the number of regional offices of the public defender of Georgia has increased 9-11.
After the public defender submits the annual report on Human Rights in Georgia, the Parliament of Georgia adopts a resolution as an official follow up mechanism.
The Parliament monitors its implementation by regularly requesting updates from the relevant ministries.
The PDO helps monitor and assess national policy documents such as the Human Rights action plan and provides independent reviews of their implementation.
In conclusion, Georgia reaffirms its strong commitment to the full implementation of the awareness principles.
We will continue strengthening our national ombudsman institution and are ready to share our experiences and best practices with other member states.
I thank you.
I thank the distinguished Representative of Georgia.
I now give the floor to the distinguished Representative of Kyrgyzstan and then Ukraine.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
The Kyrgyz Republic remains firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms as a cornerstone of a democratic and rule based state.
This commitment is enshrined in our constitution which recognizes human rights and freedoms as the highest values guiding the activity of the state.
Kyrgykhstan now is a party to eight out of the nine core international human rights treaties and continues to implement its international obligations aimed at strengthening the rule of law, improving national human rights mechanisms, and ensuring accountability of public institutions.
The Oombudsman institution of the Kyrgyz Republic continues to contribute practically to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 16 through reviewing citizens complaints, issuing recommendations to state authorities, contributing to legislative improvements, monitoring human rights protection, and promoting legal awareness.
In September last year, we adopted a new constitutional law on the ombudsman aimed at strengthening the independence of the institution.
This law was drafted with consideration to the recommendations of the Vieice Commission.
An important indicator of effectiveness is the implementation of ombudsman recommendations by state institutions.
Thus, the implementation rate in Kyrgyzstan increased from 13% in 2020 to 68% in 2023 and reached 79% in 2024.
We expect that this year it will steadily reach the percentage of 93 And in 2025, amendments were introduced into constitutional laws on martial law and the state of emergency explicitly guaranteeing that emergency regimes cannot suspend the activities of the ombudsman institution.
At present time, our parliament has initiated further amendments to the constitutional law on the ombudsman aimed at strengthening this institutional independence.
Thank you.
I thank the representative of Kyrgyzstan and now I give the floor to the final speaker on the list, Ukraine.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Ukraine remains firmly committed to ensuring the independence and effectiveness of the omudsman institution as an essential safeguard for the protection of human rights, democratic resilience, and the rule of law.
The institution of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights brings together several key functions within a single framework, serving simultaneously as a classical ombudsman institution, a national Human Rights institution, the National equality body, and the National preventive mechanism under the optional protocol for the Convention Against Torture.
Despite the unprecedented challenges caused by the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the Office of the Ombudsman of Ukraine continues to operate independently and effectively in accordance with international standards.
The institution is an active member of the International Ombudsman Institute and the European Network for National Human Rights Institutions.
In May this year, the institution successfully underwent accreditation with a status by the subcommittee on Accreditation of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.
Confirming its independence and full compliance with the UN Paris principles.
In 2023, the institution also completed a comprehensive capacity assessment conducted within the framework of the tripartite partnership.
Since 2022, the number of appeals submitted to the ombudsman of Ukraine has increased dramatically by more than 260% to over 152,000 appeals in 2025.
This reflects both the scale of human rights violations caused by the Russian aggression and the institution's broader interpretation of its mandate in response to emerging challenges.
The government of Ukraine highly appreciates the institution's independent efforts aimed at the return of all deported and forcibly transferred persons, including Ukrainian children.
But also civilians and prisoners of war.
The institution also addresses complex human rights issues related to internally displaced persons and protection of the rights of Ukrainian citizens residing in temporarily occupied territories.
These responsibilities require not only operational capacity, but also strong institutional independence, public trust, and international cooperation.
In this regard, the Venice principles remain a crucial framework for ensuring the ombudsman institutions can perform their mandates freely, effectively, and without interference, especially in times of armed conflict.
Ukraine firmly believes the full adherence to both the Venice principles and the Paris principles is essential to ensuring the independence, credibility, and effectiveness of national human rights institutions.
The institution of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights continues not only to uphold these standards, but also to carry out its mandate under exceptionally challenging circumstances, safeguarding the rights and dignity of individuals across the country.
I thank the representative of Ukraine.
As previously stated, that was the last speaker on the list.
I'd also like to thank all of you for your very important and insightful statements and recall that you may submit your full length written statements to esments at un.org.
I now turn back to the panelists to respond to some of the comments made and provide concluding thoughts.
Miss Mayu, you have the floor.
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I now turn to miss Cruikshank for final remarks.
You have the floor.
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Well, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, we have now concluded today's panel discussion and today's meeting.
Please join me in warmly thanking our panelists.
I think you can all agree that today's discussion was rich with useful ideas and good practices shared on how the international community can translate the Venice principles into practice.
As the president of the General Assembly stated earlier, strengthening ombudsman and mediator institutions is ultimately a commitment to people and the Venice principle should be a guide for action to that end.
Ensuring that they can serve the public with integrity, impartiality, and courage.
I thank you very much for your active participation during this afternoon's panel discussion.
The meeting is adjourned.