Ombudsperson offices have been playing a critical role in enforcing a better respect of human rights, international conventions and democratic values in the region, their landmark being the trust of citizens. This was one of the conclusions of a regional conference organized on the occasion of 20 years of existence of the institution of the Montenegrin Ombudsman, with the support of the OSCE Mission.
On 28 and 29 September, representatives from 12 ombudspersons institutions and equality bodies from Belgrade, Pristina, Sarajevo, Skopje, Tirana and Zagreb exchanged their views and discussed the many common challenges that their institutions have to cope with, such as non-discrimination, countering hate speech, free access to information, cooperation with courts, situation of migrants or minors, education of civil servants on Human Rights, preparation of public administration to crisis and the monitoring of implementation of their recommendations, among others.
The conference was opened by the President of Montenegro Jakov Milatović, through a video message, encouraging the Ombudsperson's Office in Montenegro to continue protecting the principles of rule of law, legal certainty, legality and impartiality in the work of all state bodies.
Head of the OSCE Mission, Dominique Waag, praised the work of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms, in supporting a democratic system where institutions have to be transparent and accountable. "The Protector for human rights and freedoms and the OSCE Mission share similar concerns. Together with the Protector's Office, the Mission works to counter hate speech in the media. We encourage pluralistic debate and increased media attention to promote tolerance of ethnic, religious, linguistic and cultural diversity. We encourage each of you to pay special attention to women who speak out in public, as politicians, civil society activists or journalists who face a continual barrage of hate speech," said Ambassador Waag recalling some of the OSCE principles and commitments, such as the promotion tolerance towards people of other convictions and beliefs, and the prevention of aggressive nationalism, racism, chauvinism and xenophobia.
She added that gender-based violence and how it is dealt with by the courts is a shared concern. "Further, we expect the presumption of innocence to be fully respected not only by the media. The Mission shares the observations of the Ombudsman, based on complaints received, about the excessive delays of trials, and pays attention among others to the observations made concerning the security sector and police," said Ambassador Waag.
The Protector Siniša Bjeković pointed out a very demanding period for the work of independent institutions, stating the importance of providing appropriate material, financial, spatial, personnel and normative capacities. "Without continuous tolerant dialogue, without understanding between people, every idea, no matter how good it is, carries the risk of being compromised, especially in situations when the echo of the irrational, such as hatred, silences the voices of reason, such as those who call on respect for human rights and freedoms and the innate dignity of people," said Protector Bjeković.
In front of 100 participants, opening remarks were also delivered by the UN Resident Coordinator to Montenegro Peter Lundberg, the Head of the EU Delegation in Montenegro, Oana Cristina Popa, and the Head of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Podgorica, Lejla Dervišagić. The UN human rights advisor and representatives from Ministry of Justice, Constitutional Court and Faculty of law participated as moderators to the various panels of the conference.
