AOB meets with Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights

On 5 June 2012 Ombudswoman Terezija Stoisits and Ombudsman Peter Kostelka met with the recently appointed Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Nils Muižnieks who currently is performing a three-day visit to Austria. The Human Rights Advisory Council was represented in the meeting by its Deputy Chairwoman Prof. Gabriele Kucsko-Stadlmayer.

The discussion mainly focused on the new tasks the AOB will take up in implementing the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) as of 1 July 2012. Further topics were rights of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees as well as rights of persons with disabilities and of the elderly.

In four weeks the AOB mandate will be increased in the most extensive way in its history. The meeting therefore presented an excellent opportunity to present the new mandate and to explain the current status of the preparatory work. “The conversation focused on the division of tasks between the AOB and its Commissions as well as the responsibilities of the recently appointed Human Rights Advisory Council”, says Ombudswoman Stoisits.

In order to ensure that this international obligation is fulfilled in the best possible way the AOB intensively cooperates with the Council of Europe. “Over the years the AOB has built excellent networks on the international level and can now rely on international support setting up the National Preventive Mechanism. I am convinced that the AOB will benefit from the Council of Europe’s experience and expertise when it comes to reaching common goals in the field of human rights”, stresses Ombudsman Kostelka.

The Commissioner for Human Rights promotes the protection of human rights in the 47 member states of the Council of Europe. The last official visit by a Commissioner for Human Rights took place in 2007 when the former Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg also met with AOB members.