Participants included the European Ombudsman (with a video intervention), public officials, civil society representatives, academics and members of the international community. High-level officials and international partners opened the conference together with the Ombudsperson of the Republic of Moldova, underlining the importance of working together to promote and protect human rights.

Human rights protection mechanisms are essential pillars of our societies, acting as a shield against injustice, discrimination and oppression. By monitoring and holding governments to account, these institutions protect fundamental rights and freedoms, especially in the face of today's evolving social and political challenges" said the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau, Falk Lange.

The Ombudsperson of the Republic of Moldova, Ceslav Panico, added: "As the region faces increasing challenges, it is more important than ever that national human rights institutions in our country and across the region follow the European path and ensure that the highest standards in this field are maintained."

The event consisted of a series of interactive panels on different topics related to the core functions and importance of human rights mechanisms.

The first panel discussed the central role of human rights in Moldova's EU accession process, emphasising the importance of aligning the national legislation with the European acquis.

The second panel benefited from the intervention of the representative of the Venice Commission, Tania van Dijk, who underlined the important role of Ombudspersons institutions in combating the deterioration of the rule of law, highlighting the Venice Principles as key guidelines for the establishment, functioning, and enhancement of these institutions globally.

Participants then discussed the independence and effectiveness of national human rights and ombudsperson institutions, particularly in the context of the challenges posed by the war in Ukraine and the countries' EU membership aspirations.

The second day of the conference began with a panel discussion on the role of national equality bodies in promoting inclusive societies, and during the final panel, participants discussed the impact of new technologies, in particular digitalisation and artificial intelligence, on human rights.

The international conference concluded with a side-event on "The Human Cost of War: Addressing Gross Human Rights Violations Stemming from Russia’s War of Aggression Against Ukraine."

The conference was organised in the framework of the Council of Europe Project "Support to the Office of the Ombudsperson in the Protection of Human Rights in the Republic of Moldova - Phase I" - an initiative aimed at strengthening the ability of the People’s Advocate Office to better protect human rights through institutional capacity building. The event took place in cooperation with the Moldovan People's Advocate Office, UNHCR Moldova and the Danish Institute for Human Rights.