30th Anniversary - Plenary Session Two - Protecting the vulnerable: the role of the Ombudsman in upholding human rights

30th Anniversary - Plenary Session Two - Protecting the vulnerable: the role of the Ombudsman in upholding human rights

Published October 15, 2025

Moderated by Mr Matthew Xuereb, Editor-in-Chief of RTK 103 and Newsbook Malta, the second plenary explored one of the most fundamental aspects of the Ombudsman’s mission, the protection of the vulnerable.

Vulnerable groups are often the first to experience injustice and the last to secure redress. Ombudsman institutions, through their independence and accessibility, play a critical role in bridging this gap. They offer a means of redress to those who may be excluded from judicial mechanisms and advocate for systemic change that upholds dignity and equality.

While the Ombudsman’s classical mandate is to ensure good administration, its work frequently overlaps with fundamental rights,  in areas such as healthcare, housing, social benefits, and non-discrimination. Complaints in these areas often reveal deeper structural issues of fairness and equality, where bureaucratic inefficiency or lack of empathy can have profound human consequences.

The session explored how Ombudsman institutions can protect those at risk, migrants, minorities, children, persons with disabilities, and the elderly, through traditional complaint-handling, proactive advocacy, and partnerships with other oversight bodies and civil society. Across the interventions, one message stood out clearly: protecting the vulnerable is not simply an administrative duty; it is a moral and human obligation.

Judge Lorraine Schembri Orland, European Court of Human Rights

Judge Schembri Orland underlined that both the Ombudsman and the European Court of Human Rights share a common mission: to safeguard the rule of law and human dignity.

Marking the 75th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, she described its evolution into a “constitutional instrument of European public order”, whose interpretation continues to shape democratic governance across the continent.

She explained how national Ombudsmen act as early defenders against arbitrary power and injustice, providing the first line of protection that often influences the Court’s jurisprudence. In doing so, Ombudsmen not only prevent rights violations but also reinforce the moral and legal foundations upon which European democracy is built. 

Debbie Kohner, Secretary General, European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI)

In her recorded address, Debbie Kohner, Secretary General of ENNHRI emphasised the importance of strong, independent national human-rights systems in upholding fairness and equality.

She described Ombudsman institutions as crucial components of this ecosystem — acting as a bridge between administrative justice and human rights.

Highlighting that Malta remains among the few EU Member States without an accredited National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), she noted that establishing one would significantly reinforce the national framework for the protection and promotion of rights, ensuring greater alignment with European and international standards.

Mykhailo Spasov, Deputy Commissioner for Human Rights, Ukraine

Mr Spasov focused his presentation on the protection of children during wartime.

He detailed the ongoing efforts of the Ukrainian Ombudsman’s Office to secure the return of children unlawfully deported by the Russian Federation, a grave violation of international humanitarian law.

Through initiatives such as the Bring Kids Back UA campaign and international coalitions, the Ombudsman’s Office continues to advocate globally for the rights of these children. Mr Spasov’s remarks powerfully illustrated how Ombudsman institutions can act decisively even amid the devastation of conflict, embodying the principle that humanity and justice must prevail, even in war.

Marina Ceyssac, High Commissioner for the Protection of Rights, Liberties and Mediation of Monaco

Ms Ceyssac outlined the extensive work of her Office in protecting individuals facing hardship or discrimination, from persons with disabilities and older people to women in precarious situations and victims of violence.

She noted that vulnerability is often cumulative, shaped by multiple, overlapping disadvantages. Addressing it therefore requires cross-sectoral cooperation between public authorities, institutions, and social services.
She also emphasised the importance of continuous oversight in environments such as prisons and psychiatric hospitals, where persons are most at risk of neglect or abuse.

Her remarks reinforced the notion that protecting the vulnerable demands not only compassion but also systemic vigilance and inclusive policymaking.

Dr Dijana Možina Zupanc, Deputy Human Rights Ombudsman of Slovenia

Dr Možina Zupanc, Deputy Human Rights Ombudsman of Slovenia, reflected on empathy as a cornerstone of justice.

She reminded the audience that behind every complaint lies a person, a story of struggle, hope, and resilience. The Ombudsman’s duty, she said, is to ensure that no voice goes unheard and that institutions act not only legally but humanely.

She called for societies to rediscover empathy, solidarity, and moral responsibility, warning that the digital age risks creating detachment from real human experience. “We are not merely complaint handlers,” she affirmed, “but witnesses to courage and defenders of dignity.” 

Dr Tamar Gvaramadze, First Deputy Public Defender of Georgia

Dr Tamar Gvaramadze, First Deputy Public Defender of Georgia presented Georgia’s model as a multi-mandated institution, functioning simultaneously as an Ombudsman, a National Human Rights Institution, a National Preventive Mechanism, and an Equality Body.

This structure, she explained, allows for a comprehensive approach to human-rights protection, ensuring no vulnerable group is overlooked.

She highlighted her Office’s initiatives, including Femicide Watch, disability rights monitoring, and inspection of detention facilities to prevent ill-treatment. Such integrated mandates, she noted, not only enhance efficiency but also enable the institution to tackle violations from multiple perspectives, a model that reflects resilience, adaptability, and commitment to inclusion.

Andreas Accardo, Head of Institutional Cooperation and EU Charter Unit, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights

Mr Andreas Accardo concluded the session by emphasising that Ombudsmen remain the most accessible route to justice for many citizens, particularly those unable to navigate the complexities of court systems.
He outlined the EU Fundamental Rights Agency’s initiatives to strengthen cooperation between Ombudsmen, NHRIs, and civil society, warning that the global trend of human-rights backsliding calls for robust, interconnected safeguards.

He reiterated that independent oversight bodies play a critical role in upholding the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, especially in times of crisis. Strengthening them, he argued, is essential to preserving democratic resilience and restoring trust in institutions.

Conclusion

The second plenary session highlighted the Ombudsman’s essential role as protector, advocate, and moral conscience in modern governance. Each intervention reinforced the conviction that defending the vulnerable is both a legal obligation and a human imperative.

Speakers agreed that institutions must evolve to meet the complexities of the 21st century, from war and displacement to digital exclusion and discrimination, while never losing sight of the individual at the heart of each case. The Ombudsman, they affirmed, remains the first refuge for fairness, bridging the gap between state authority and personal dignity.

As the first day of the conference drew to a close, a unifying message resonated across all interventions: upholding human rights begins with listening to those least heard. Through empathy, accountability, and courage, Ombudsman institutions continue to prove that democracy’s strength lies not in power, but in protection.