Ombudsman participates in ENNHRI partnership event on strategic responses to human rights challenges

Ombudsman participates in ENNHRI partnership event on strategic responses to human rights challenges

Published November 20, 2025

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, participated in a high-level partnership event organised by the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) as part of its 2025 General Assembly in Brussels. The event, titled Strategic Partnerships for ENNHRI’s New Strategic Chapter, brought together National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), European institutions, and civil society actors to examine shared priorities and build stronger alliances in response to the growing challenges facing human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

The context for the event was marked by increasing global instability. Rising inequality, social polarisation, and authoritarian tendencies have contributed to the erosion of trust in democratic institutions. The clampdown on civil society and human rights defenders has become more pronounced, with states introducing restrictive laws that weaken democratic safeguards. These trends are further exacerbated by the climate crisis, the ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, and the unpredictable impact of emerging technologies.

In response to these shifts, ENNHRI has used 2025 as a year of reflection and forward planning, engaging its members in a strategic process to shape its new Strategic Plan 2026–2030. This planning process culminated in a partnership event aimed at reinforcing ENNHRI’s role as a central actor in the European human rights landscape.

The objective of the event was twofold: to exchange views on strategic priorities for protecting human rights, and to explore how partnerships can be strengthened to respond more effectively to the complex challenges ahead. Discussions focused on how institutions such as NHRIs can partner with the European Union and other key actors to promote and safeguard human rights frameworks across the region.

A keynote intervention was delivered by Michael O’Flaherty, the newly appointed Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe. In his remarks, O’Flaherty emphasised that strong human rights protections still command broad support across European societies. He warned, however, that rising perceptions of alienation and disadvantage are increasingly being exploited by disinformation and divisive political messaging. These phenomena, he noted, must be addressed constructively.

The partnership event underscored ENNHRI’s commitment to fostering cooperation between NHRIs and other regional actors. It also reaffirmed the importance of anchoring strategic planning in practical engagement, mutual support, and shared responsibility for safeguarding fundamental rights in an era of rising threats and institutional uncertainty.