The Parliamentary Ombudsman participates in ENNHRI Board introduction meeting ahead of the General Assembly

The Parliamentary Ombudsman participates in ENNHRI Board introduction meeting ahead of the General Assembly

Published October 28, 2024

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Emeritus Joseph Zammit McKeon, participated in an introduction meeting with the ENNHRI Board in advance of the ENNHRI General Assembly. The meeting aimed to introduce newly joined members to the Board following Malta’s application for Associate Membership in January and its acceptance in February 2024.

During the session, the ENNHRI Board provided an overview of ENNHRI’s work as a network and the support it offers its members, including collaborative opportunities. Louise Holck, Director of the Danish Institute of Human Rights and Chair of ENNHRI introduced the meeting by discussing how ENNHRI can assist members facing challenges. She highlighted ENNHRI’s role in facilitating the exchange of experiences among members, fostering mutual learning, and the network’s impact on promoting and protecting human rights across Europe.

Debbie Kohner, ENNHRI’s Secretary General, further explained the distinct role of NHRI heads in each country and outlined the initiatives ENNHRI offers to support NHRIs. She stressed ENNHRI’s commitment to assisting members in achieving ‘A’ status NHRI accreditation according to the Paris Principles, guiding them through the accreditation process and strengthening institutional capacities along the way.

In his introduction to the Board, the Parliamentary Ombudsman thanked ENNHRI for its support in reviewing the Ombudsman Act and proposing amendments to help the Office of the Ombudsman submit legislation to Government that meets the requirements for ‘A’ status NHRI. He shared his vision to extend the functions of the Ombudsman to include the promotion and protection of human rights, thereby widening access to justice in Malta.

This introductory meeting preceded the ENNHRI General Assembly, which is being held in Brussels from 28 to 29 October. ENNHRI, the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions, unites over 40 NHRIs across Europe to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights within the region. The network offers a collaborative platform, fostering solidarity in addressing human rights challenges and providing a unified voice for NHRIs at the European level.