High Commissioner Video Statement at International Ombudsman Conference: "A 21st Century look at the work of Ombudsmen"

Greetings. I’m delighted to be speaking to this gathering.

Ombudsman Offices have a tremendously important role to play in protecting people from human rights abuses and violations.

Your work contributes decisively to helping people contest poor governance, unfair administration and abuse of power.

Your assistance strengthens the principles of accountability and transparency, the effectiveness of rule of law institutions, and the fight against corruption everywhere.

You work towards human dignity, equality, respect and trust.  

My Office is committed to helping Ombudsman Offices develop strong, impartial and independent voices. We know how important it is to count on an adequate legislative framework, as well as sufficient financial and material support.

We are particularly engaged in this work as secretariat of the Global Alliance of NHRIs. Many very effective and active NHRIs are Ombudsman institutions, and all Ombudsman institutions should take a human-rights based approach, and should work to ensure that their institution functions in compliance with the Paris Principles and international human rights norms.

I have been impressed by the recent 3-year project by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and Ombudsman Office, which has led to the development of a human rights based manual and online tools for handling complaints.

As you may know, my Office will be reporting to the General Assembly at September’s session on the implementation of resolution 69/168 on the role of the Ombudsman, mediator and other national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights. We welcome any information you can share with us in the course of this meeting, including any structural obstacles you may have encountered and best practises you have developed in the course of your work.

I look forward to working more closely with the IOI and with all of you in the months and years to come.