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OSCE holds workshop on Ombudsman institution in Yugoslavia
BELGRADE 12 July 2001
BELGRADE, 12 July 2001 (OSCE) - In co-operation with the Yugoslav Federal Ministry of Justice and the Office of the Greek Ombudsman, the OSCE Mission in Belgrade held a workshop on the Model of an Ombudsman Institution for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
The workshop was opened by the Yugoslav Federal Minister of National and Ethnic Minorities, Rasim Ljajic, the OSCE's Mission Head in Belgrade, Stefano Sannino, and the Greek Ombudsman, Professor Diamandouros. Other participants at the workshop were the Slovenian and Macedonian Ombudsmen, representatives of the Ombudsman Institutions from Poland, Spain and Kosovo, as well as representatives from the Federal Ministry of Interior, the Serbian Ministries of Justice and Interior, the Council of Europe, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), as well as local human rights non-governmental organizations.
"The establishment of an Ombudsman can play a crucial role in the democratic transition process of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as it provides for monitoring of a country's human rights record and stimulates the improved performance of the administration with respect to its citizens", said Mr. Sannino at the opening of the workshop. "It can be an important instrument for changing the perspective of the citizens towards the governmental and administrative institutions, making it clear that these are at the service of the citizens".
Participants at the workshop reviewed different draft laws for the establishment of an Ombudsman Institution. The importance of establishing an Ombudsman Institution with broad competencies was generally underlined, so as to ensure an independent and efficient promotion and protection of citizens' rights. In addition, an Ombudsman Institution can seek friendly settlement of disputes between the administration and its subjects. Moreover, the Ombudsman would have the competence to make suggestions to Parliament for the review of national legislation with the purpose of harmonizing it with international human rights standards.
"The OSCE concentrates its activities in the country particularly on reforms of the administrative and judicial structures, so as to consolidate the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on the basis of the principles of democracy and the rule of law. Seen from this perspective, the Mission in Belgrade is looking forward to an early establishment of an independent Human Rights Institution or an Ombudsman, with all the guarantees for an efficient carrying out of its tasks", said Mr. Sannino. He added that the OSCE will continue to work on this issue together with all the relevant governmental and non-governmental actors.
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For more information please contact Stella Ronner, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, tel: +381 11 367 24 25, mobile: +381 63 315 969; e-mail: osce-portparol@omifry.org, website: www.osce.org/yugoslavia/
The workshop was opened by the Yugoslav Federal Minister of National and Ethnic Minorities, Rasim Ljajic, the OSCE's Mission Head in Belgrade, Stefano Sannino, and the Greek Ombudsman, Professor Diamandouros. Other participants at the workshop were the Slovenian and Macedonian Ombudsmen, representatives of the Ombudsman Institutions from Poland, Spain and Kosovo, as well as representatives from the Federal Ministry of Interior, the Serbian Ministries of Justice and Interior, the Council of Europe, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), as well as local human rights non-governmental organizations.
"The establishment of an Ombudsman can play a crucial role in the democratic transition process of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as it provides for monitoring of a country's human rights record and stimulates the improved performance of the administration with respect to its citizens", said Mr. Sannino at the opening of the workshop. "It can be an important instrument for changing the perspective of the citizens towards the governmental and administrative institutions, making it clear that these are at the service of the citizens".
Participants at the workshop reviewed different draft laws for the establishment of an Ombudsman Institution. The importance of establishing an Ombudsman Institution with broad competencies was generally underlined, so as to ensure an independent and efficient promotion and protection of citizens' rights. In addition, an Ombudsman Institution can seek friendly settlement of disputes between the administration and its subjects. Moreover, the Ombudsman would have the competence to make suggestions to Parliament for the review of national legislation with the purpose of harmonizing it with international human rights standards.
"The OSCE concentrates its activities in the country particularly on reforms of the administrative and judicial structures, so as to consolidate the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on the basis of the principles of democracy and the rule of law. Seen from this perspective, the Mission in Belgrade is looking forward to an early establishment of an independent Human Rights Institution or an Ombudsman, with all the guarantees for an efficient carrying out of its tasks", said Mr. Sannino. He added that the OSCE will continue to work on this issue together with all the relevant governmental and non-governmental actors.
--
For more information please contact Stella Ronner, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, tel: +381 11 367 24 25, mobile: +381 63 315 969; e-mail: osce-portparol@omifry.org, website: www.osce.org/yugoslavia/