High-level Conference for Ombudsperson Institutions and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI)
27-28 March 2025
Strasbourg, Palais de l’Europe, Room 1
About the conference
This conference is co-organised by the Council of Europe and the Luxembourg Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. It addresses current challenges related to the rule of law, the role of Ombudsperson institutions and NHRIs in upholding it, as well as the risks and opportunities associated with public decision-making in the digital era.
It also provides a platform for Ombudsperson institutions and NHRIs to exchange with the Council of Europe, through a series of workshops, on topics such as the protection of human rights during times of crisis, the Venice Principles, the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights, opportunities for cooperation with the Council of Europe, and the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence.
The conference is held in person, at the Council of Europe premises in Strasbourg. The working languages are English and French, with simultaneous interpretation provided.
14:30 - 15:00
Introduction
Welcoming addresses / Introduction
- Claudia Monti, Ombudsman of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg
- Bjorn Berge, Deputy Secretary General, Council of Europe
15:00 - 16:30
Plenary session n°1
Challenges to the Rule of Law today in Europe
Panelists:
- Michael O’Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe
- Claire Bazy-Malaurie, President of the Venice Commission, Council of Europe
- Teresa Anjinho, European Ombudsman, European Union
Moderator: Alexis Fricker, Journalist, ARTE
16:30 - 16:45
Break (family picture on the stairs of Committee of Ministers’ foyer)
16:45 - 17:30
Thematic workshop n°1
Protecting human rights and rule of law in time of crisis
- Krista Oinonen, Chairperson of the Steering Committee on Human Rights (CDDH), Council of Europe
- Feedback from Mykhailo Spasov, Representative of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
- Feedback from Debbie Kohner, Secretary General of European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI)
17:30 - 18:15
Thematic workshop n°2
NHRI and Ombudspersons contribution to the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights - presentation of Rule 9 of the rules of the Committee of Ministers for the supervision of the execution of judgments and the Knowledge-Sharing platform
- Frédéric Dolt, Head of Department, Department of Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, Council of Europe
- Feedback from Anahit Manasyan, Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia
18:30
Reception (Committee of Ministers’ foyer, Palais de l’Europe)
Friday 28 March
Morning
09:00 - 10:30
Plenary session n°2
The role of NHRI and Ombudspersons in upholding the Rule of law
Keynote speaker (online):
- Adam Bodnar, Minister of Justice of Poland
Panelists:
- Louise Holck, Chair, European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI)
- Reinier Van Zutphen, National Ombudsman of the Netherlands, Regional President of International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) Europe
- Jarna Petman, Director of the Human Rights Centre, Finland
- Manuel Lezertua, Ombudsman of the Basque Country (Ararteko), Spain
Moderator: Clare Ovey, Director of Human Rights, Council of Europe
10:30 - 10:45
Break
10:45 - 11:30
Thematic workshop n°3
The impact of the Venice Principles on Ombudsperson Institutions in Europe and beyond
- Simona Granata-Menghini, Director, Secretary of the Venice Commission, Council of Europe
- Feedback from Joseph Zammit McKeon, Parliamentary Ombudsman of Malta
- Feedback from Xavier Cañada Bonaetxea, Raonador del Ciutadà (Ombudsman), Andorra
11:30 - 12:15
Thematic workshop n°4
Cooperation opportunities with the Council of Europe for NHRIs and Ombudspersons in delivering their mandate
- Lilja Gretarsdottir, Head of Department, Implementation of Human Rights, Justice and Legal Co-operation standards, Council of Europe
- Feedback from Ceslav Panico, People’s Advocate (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Moldova
12:15 - 14:00
Lunch (Blue Restaurant, Palais de l’Europe)
Friday 28 March
Afternoon
14:00 - 15:30
Plenary session n°3
Risks and opportunities to public decision-making in the age of digitalisation
Panelists:
- Gianluca Esposito, Director General, Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe
- Ülle Madise, Chancellor of Justice of Estonia
- Almudena Arpón de Mendívil, Corporate partner and Head of Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo
Moderator: Mario Hernandez-Ramos, Chairperson of the Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI), Council of Europe
15:30 - 15:45
Break
15:45 - 16:30
Thematic workshop n°5
Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence - Presentation of Huderia
- Albina Ovcearenco, Secretary of the Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI), Head of the Digital Development Unit, Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe
- Vadim Pak, Legal and Policy Advisor, Digital Development Unit, Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe
16:30 - 16:45
Conclusion
- Noémie Sadler, President of the Human Rights Commission, Luxembourg
- Gianluca Esposito, Director General, Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law, Council of Europe
Photo gallery
