On October 2016, the ombudsman, Mihail Cotorobai, met a group of master students of the Moldova State University’s Law Department.

The discussions focused on the activity of the national human rights institution – Ombudsperson’s Office. The ombudsman shared with the attendees the history of the institution and told them about the mandate of his office to protect and promote human rights. He also shared a number of examples from the activity of his office, analysed the legal aspects of the issues citizen complain about to the institution he represents.

In addition, Mr. Cotorobai spoke about the main areas of Ombudsperson’s activity: protection of the rights of persons from vulnerable groups; fighting discrimination on any grounds; supporting persons with disabilities, national minorities; preventing and fighting torture; and monitoring human rights observance in healthcare.

The master students were apprised about the Ombudsperson’s institution working methods, the reporting procedures, and about the Ombudsman’s annual report, from fact monitoring and systematisation up to the editing and presentation to the Parliament.

The discussions also tackled the good practices of ombudsperson institutions in other countries were presented, as well as the cooperation of the Ombudsperson’s Office with the international line institutions.