Austrian Ombudsman Kräuter at Human Rights Conference in Belfast

June 1, 2016

Austrian Ombudsman Günther Kräuter, in his role as IOI Secretary General, attended an international conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from 25 May to 27 May 2016.

The conference was organised by the Offices of the Northern Ireland Ombudsman (NIO) and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) and focused on the implementation of a human rights based approach to the work of Ombudsmen. On the occasion of this event the NIHRC, together with the NIO, presented their “Human Rights Manual”, which contributes to a better application of human rights principles to the daily investigative work of Ombudsman institutions.

In his speech Ombudsman Günther Kräuter focused on the challenges Austria is currently facing, the significant impact of the Austrian TV show “Bürgeranwalt” for the protection and promotion of human rights, and how privatisation of public services negatively affects the access to independent redress.

He also called on the international Ombudsman community that it is the responsibility of every Ombudsperson to use his/her instruments in order to promote and protect the rights of everybody. He especially emphasised the importance of cooperation between Ombudsmen in Europe and around the world, highlighting that transnational challenges need to be addressed on an international level.