Ombudsman

Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said on Jan. 11 he had held a meeting in Türkiye with Russian counterpart Tatyana Moskalkova in rare talks between officials from the two countries since the start of Moscow's invasion.

The Equal Opportunities Ombudsman recommended to the Ministry of education, Science and Sport to change the higher education act following an analysis that found the act discriminates against foreign students in subsidised housing.

After extending efforts for establishing a "grain corridor" and for the exchange of prisoners, Türkiye will be taking on a new task in the Ukraine War by becoming a "unity corridor" for the war children to unite with their parents.

The European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the OSCE Mission and the United Nations have told the state authorities that they must make the process more transparent, while domestic organisations have warned of possible politicisation of the process.

Ljubljana – Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina has met Greek counterpart Andreas I. Pottakis, who heads Europe’s section at the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), as part of hos visit to Slovenia. Pottakis has also been received by President Borut Pahor, Svetina’s office said in a press release on Wednesday.

Ljubljana – After equality ombudsman found music schools act discriminatory, the Education Ministry announced on Tuesday changes to the legislation on music schools. An analysis on the inclusiveness of music schools will also be conducted, focusing on the inclusion of children with special needs, to serve as a basis for the changes.

The findings of a study on "Violence against women in politics", conducted by UNDP in cooperation with Albania's Ombudsman and Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, were published on Wednesday at a roundtable held in the Albanian parliament.

Under the leadership of Turkey, the Turkic States' Ombudsman Association will be established in March, the chief ombudsman in Turkey has announced.

"All the protocols are ready. We are waiting for an ombudsman in Kyrgyzstan. In March, we will set up the Turkic States' Ombudsman Association," Şeref Malkoç told daily Miiliyet on Feb. 23.

Centers for work with people at risk are about to close due to unaffordable electricity and gas bills.

The ombudsman Diana Kovacheva warned in a letter to state institutions that more than 24 non-governmental organizations, providers of social services, are seeking assistance because they cannot cover their costs for electricity, natural gas and salaries.

The EU's ombudsman today criticized the European Commission for failing to release text messages between its president, Ursula von der Leyen, and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, Reuters reported.

The two exchanged text messages before concluding the deal for the vaccines against COVID-19 between the EC and the pharmaceutical giant.