Slovak Ombudsman visits Ombudsperson Schwetz
January 21, 2025On 21 January 2025, the current Chairperson of the Austrian Ombudsman Board (AOB), Ms. Elisabeth Schwetz, welcomed the Public Defender of Rights of the Slovak Republic, Mr. Róbert Dobrovodský, and his delegation at the premises of the AOB. Mr. Dobrovodský was accompanied by staff members specialised in fundamental rights and NPM matters. The purpose of this inaugural visit was an exchange on thematic areas such as police matters and human rights. The Office of the Public Defender of Rights intends to submit a report to Slovakia’s Parliament, which will also contain best practice examples from other European countries.
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AUSTRIAN NPM CONTRIBUTES TO GLOBAL REPORT ON WOMEN IN PRISON
December 12, 2024The National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) of Austria has joined NPMs from 45 other countries to contribute to the development of a Global Report on Women in Prison, launched by the Geneva-based Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) on 12 December 2024. The report highlights significant challenges and systemic discrimination faced by women in prisons around the globe, calling for urgent reforms and greater use of alternatives to detention.
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AOB welcomes Uzbek Ombudsman Institution to study visit in Vienna
November 22, 2024From 18 to 20 November 2024, the Austrian Ombudsman Board (AOB) received a delegation from the Uzbek Ombudsman Institution (Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights) for a study visit in Vienna.
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Ombudsperson Schwarz welcomes ACRC representatives for an exchange visit to Vienna
October 30, 2024On 28 October 2024, Gaby Schwarz, Ombudsperson of the Austrian Ombudsman Board and Secretary General of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), received representatives from the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission of South Korea (ACRC) for an exchange meeting. Headed by the Standing Commissioner, Mr Kwon Seog Won, the delegation welcomed the opportunity to discuss the similarities and differences between the Austrian and Korean complaint systems for citizens. Furthermore, the Austrian Ombudsperson and IOI Secretary General and the Standing Commissioner, who led the delegation in place of ACRC Board member, Mr Ryu Chul Whan, elaborated on possibilities to raise awareness of the IOI in the region even more.
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Ombudsperson Schwarz welcomed a delegation from Rhineland-Palatinate
September 5, 2024Gaby Schwarz, Ombudsperson of the Austrian Ombudsman Board and Secretary General of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), received a delegation from the Petitions Committee of the Rhineland-Palatinate State Parliament and the Ombudsperson of the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, who is also the Ombudsperson of the Rhineland-Palatinate State Police.
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Austrian NPM publishes English Report On Activities 2023
August 22, 2024The Austrian National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) published the English version of its Annual Report 2023. In the year under review, the NPM carried out 505 visits, which provided a picture of the human rights situation in Austria. In addition to positive observations, numerous deficits were identified again in 2023.
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First IOI Vice-President Benalilou visits Vienna
June 20, 2024IOI Secretary General Gaby Schwarz and the new 1st Vice-President and Ombudsman of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Mohamed Benalilou, met each other for a first meeting on future cooperation on the premises of the Austrian Ombudsman Board.
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An Award for Ombudsperson Gaby Schwarz – Burgenländerin Award 2024
March 15, 2024At a gala event, the women's magazine "Die Burgenländerin" (in reference to the Austrian province of Burgenland) presented this year's awards to women from the region who are setting examples and leading the way on both small and large occasions. Ombudsperson Gaby Schwarz was delighted to receive the award in the category Society and Social Affairs. "At the Austrian Ombudsman Board and the Red Cross crisis intervention, countless women are there for others and help them every day. I dedicate my award to them!" Once again, she appeals to all women: "Be courageous and confident – you can do anything! Let's strengthen and support each other every day!"
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International Women’s Day: Ombudsperson Gaby Schwarz demands more women in leadership positions
March 8, 2024The Austrian Ombudsman Board leads by example: 70% of the team is female. Ombudsperson Schwarz calls upon the business world to put the principle of ‘fifty-fifty in leadership positions’ into practice and encourages women to be brave. “Around 70% of the team of the Austrian Ombudsman Board consists of female employees; whether they are legal advisors, administrative trainees, chiefs of cabinet, or assistants. The Austrian Ombudsman Board is female and this is something we can be proud of,” says Ombudsperson Gaby Schwarz on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
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Work meetings with Slovakian and Czech Ombudsman
November 15, 2023In her capacity as Secretary General of the International Ombudsman Institute, Ombudsperson Gaby Schwarz welcomed the Public Defender of Rights of the Slovak Republic, Mr Róbert Dobrovodský, and the Public Defender of Rights of the Czech Republic, Mr Stanislav Křeček, for two work meetings at the Austrian Ombudsman Board.
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