Mihail Cotorobai, at the invitation of the Catalan Ombudsman, the head of IOI, Rafael Ribo, has attended the International Workshop “Challenges for human rights in Europe: the answer of the ombudsman”, held in Barcelona, 26 - 27 April 2016.

The workshop was organized by the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) Europe and the Catalan Ombudsman Institution.

The meeting was attended by ombudsmen from several countries, members of IOI: the Head of the IOI Europe and Ombudsman of Catalunia - Rafael Ribo, Catherine De Brueccker - Belgian Federal Ombudsperson and director of the IOI, the Ombudsman of Poland - Adam Bodnar, the Ombudsman of Estonia and country director IOI -  ÜlleMadise, the Ombudsman of Scotland Jim Martin, the Ombudsperson from Croatia, Lora Vidcovic, Greek Ombudsman, VasileiosKarydis, the Ombudsman of Spain - Soledad Beccerril, Swedish Ombudsperson and director IOI - Elizabeth Fura, etc.

The workshop addressed several topics of interest for the European ombudsmen.

Freedom-security dilemma. In the context of the latest events from the point of view of terrorist threats, several European countries are tempted to restrict fundamental rights and freedoms of general application (freedom of expression and demonstrations, judicial guarantees). Ombudsmen discussed the balance between liberty and security, is it justified, the restriction of human rights and whether the restrictions are a threat to fundamental freedoms.

Another topic discussed was the problem of immigrants and refugees. Following the events in Syria, Europe faces a massive wave of refugees and immigrants. The situation of many immigrants and refugees is precarious, they face various threats, often their life is in danger, living conditions are poor. In this context ombudsmen discussed economic imbalances, global poverty, what measures would have to be taken by governments in order to ensure respect for human rights in this area, what suggestions and recommendations should be made to the international authorities as political, economic, social measures to solve the immigrants’ crisis.

Economic and social crisis and the new powers of the ombudsman constituted another topic of discussion. The economic crisis and as a result, the social one, dictates certain realities that threaten human rights and creates additional risks for the institution of the ombudsman. In the recent years, international law has brought new or renewed functions to the ombudsman office: preventing torture, alternative mediation of litigation, transparency and access to information, rights of minorities. Without exception, these features come sometimes without adequate resources, sometimes these functions are assigned to other bodies cooperating with the ombudsman. Ombudsman institution's ability to meet these and other risks, such as the attacks on the independence and impartiality of the ombudsman, lack of appropriate funding, etc. measures needed to avoid threats were widely discussed by human rights defenders. Participants noted that the ombudsman is a guarantee and proof of the existence of a political system that respects the rule of law and fundamental human rights. An independent ombudsman with enough human and material resources is a key instrument to ensure democracy and the rule of law and human rights, concluded participants at the meeting.

During the talks, the Ombudsman MihailCotorobai was referred to the situation of the National Institution for Defense and Promotion of Human Rights in Moldova - the Ombudsman's Office. The Ombudsman spoke about the reform of the institution through the adoption of a new law that regulates the activity of ombudsman - Law No. 52, on the Ombudsman, dated 03 April 2014. The Ombudsman also analyzed several aspects of the institution's activity: the prevention of torture in terms of the creation of the National Preventive Mechanism against torture, poor funding, lack of premises, etc.

Referring to international events, MihailCotorobai stressed the need to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms in the context of taking effective measures to solve the economic crisis, immigration crisis and terrorist threat.

International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) is the only global organization for cooperation with more than 170 independent Ombudsman type institutions in over 90 countries worldwide. IOI is organized into six regional directorates one of them being Europe. In an effort to focus on good governance and capacity building, IOI supports its members in a triple way - training, research and grants for regional projects.