The Ombudsman Institution welcomed today a monitoring visit by the Delegation of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, conducted in the framework of the assessment of the fulfillment of the commitments of the member states to the European Charter of Local Self-Government. The visit aimed to exchange experiences, understand the current challenges and assess the level of cooperation between independent institutions and local authorities in the protection of human rights.

During the meeting, the representatives of the Ombudsman – Ms. Erinda Meli, Commissioner for the Section of Central Administration, Local Government and Third Parties, Mr. Fatbardh Zenelaj, Secretary General, and Mr. Alket Jaupi, Assistant Commissioner for the Administration Section – discussed with the rapporteurs of the Congress, Mr. Anders Knape and Mr. Sören Schumacher, as well as with the representative of the Congress Secretariat, Ms. Svitlana Pereverten, and the independent expert on the Charter, Prof. Zoltán Szente.

The discussion focused on the role of the institution in relations with local government, focusing on issues that directly affect citizens: the most frequent complaints at the local level, cases of human rights violations and the participation of citizens – especially those belonging to national minorities – in public and political life at the local level.

The delegation was also introduced to the main innovations of the new draft law “On the Ombudsman”, which is currently in the process of public consultation. The proposed changes aim to strengthen the mandate of the institution, expand oversight to the private sector and improve the functioning of the sections, supported by a more efficient budgetary structure.

The meeting served as an important opportunity to deepen cooperation and strengthen the role of local authorities in guaranteeing human rights in every community.