OSCE organizes Armenian Ombudsman visit to Lithuania

YEREVAN, 27 October 2006 - The Armenian Ombudsman, Armen Harutyunyan, today wrapped up a five-day visit to the Ombudsman institution of Lithuania's Parliament (Seimas), which was organized by the OSCE.

The visit aimed at strengthening the co-operation between the two institutions. Mr Harutyunyan talked to his Lithuanian counterparts about the investigation of individual human rights complaints, staff selection, and public relations matters.

He also visited a penitentiary institution and met the Lithuanian Minister of Justice, Petras Baguska, the Deputy Speaker of Seimas, Ceslovas Jursenas, and a representative of the Committee on Human Rights.

"This trip was beneficial and very useful because it allowed us to exchange our experience and approaches on the effective functioning of Ombudsman institutions," Mr Harutyunyan said.

Lars Gerold, Rule of Law expert with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, which together with the OSCE Office in Yerevan organized Mr Harutyunyan's visit, said:

"National human rights institutions play a key role in the protection of human rights. The co-operation between these two Ombudsman institutions is an excellent example of sharing experience and best practices, which will no doubt benefit both."