{"disclaimer":"Automatically generated transcript — may contain errors. Not an official United Nations record.","video":{"id":"k13/k13ytsk5xn","kaltura_id":"1_3ytsk5xn","title":"High-Level Panel on Ombudsman Institutions - General Assembly, High-level panel","clean_title":"High-Level Panel on Ombudsman Institutions - General Assembly, High-level panel","url":"https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k13/k13ytsk5xn","date":"2026-05-18T00:00:00.000Z","scheduled_time":"2026-05-18T19:00:00.000Z","status":"finished","duration":"02:17:22","category":"General Assembly","body":"General Assembly","event_code":null,"event_type":null,"session_number":null,"pv_symbol":null,"pv_part":null,"slug":"asset/k13/k13ytsk5xn"},"metadata":{"summary":"The high-level panel, organized by the President of the General Assembly will provide an opportunity to discuss and share best practices on how the Venice Principles can strengthen Ombudsman institutions and help them respond to challenges affecting their independence and autonomy.","description":"The high-level panel will also explore how these principles can support the creation of an enabling environment in which Ombudsman institutions can effectively carry out their mandate, including their role as national human rights institutions, in promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as good governance and the rule of law.","categories":["Meetings & Events","General Assembly"],"geographic_subject":[],"subject_topical":["HUMAN RIGHTS","RULE OF LAW","GOVERNANCE"],"corporate_name":[],"speaker_affiliation":[],"related_documents":[]},"transcript":{"transcript_id":"assemblyai-3a840997-462a-484f-a650-d16405b5ce60","language":"en","data":[{"statement_number":1,"paragraphs":[{"sentences":[{"text":"Good afternoon.","start":10.08,"end":11.09,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Good","start":10.08,"end":10.585},{"text":"afternoon.","start":10.585,"end":11.09}]},{"text":"I call to order the High Level Panel on the Importance of Complying with the Venice Principles for Ombudsman Institutions to strengthen the institution's independence and autonomy and create an enabling environment to perform their mandate nationally and internationally.","start":11.09,"end":30.783,"topics":[{"key":"venice-paris-framework","label":"Venice and Paris Principles Framework","description":"Speakers repeatedly discussed the Venice Principles and Paris Principles as complementary international standards for designing, assessing and protecting ombudsman and national human rights institutions. 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oversight."}],"words":[{"text":"I","start":11.09,"end":11.595},{"text":"call","start":11.595,"end":12.1},{"text":"to","start":12.1,"end":12.605},{"text":"order","start":12.605,"end":13.11},{"text":"the","start":13.11,"end":13.615},{"text":"High","start":13.615,"end":14.12},{"text":"Level","start":14.12,"end":14.624},{"text":"Panel","start":14.624,"end":15.129},{"text":"on","start":15.129,"end":15.634},{"text":"the","start":15.634,"end":16.139},{"text":"Importance","start":16.139,"end":16.644},{"text":"of","start":16.644,"end":17.149},{"text":"Complying","start":17.149,"end":17.654},{"text":"with","start":17.654,"end":18.159},{"text":"the","start":18.159,"end":18.664},{"text":"Venice","start":18.664,"end":19.169},{"text":"Principles","start":19.169,"end":19.674},{"text":"for","start":19.674,"end":20.179},{"text":"Ombudsman","start":20.179,"end":20.684},{"text":"Institutions","start":20.684,"end":21.189},{"text":"to","start":21.189,"end":21.694},{"text":"strengthen","start":21.694,"end":22.199},{"text":"the","start":22.199,"end":22.704},{"text":"institution's","start":22.704,"end":23.209},{"text":"independence","start":23.209,"end":23.713},{"text":"and","start":23.713,"end":24.218},{"text":"autonomy","start":24.218,"end":24.723},{"text":"and","start":24.723,"end":25.228},{"text":"create","start":25.228,"end":25.733},{"text":"an","start":25.733,"end":26.238},{"text":"enabling","start":26.238,"end":26.743},{"text":"environment","start":26.743,"end":27.248},{"text":"to","start":27.248,"end":27.753},{"text":"perform","start":27.753,"end":28.258},{"text":"their","start":28.258,"end":28.763},{"text":"mandate","start":28.763,"end":29.268},{"text":"nationally","start":29.268,"end":29.773},{"text":"and","start":29.773,"end":30.278},{"text":"internationally.","start":30.278,"end":30.783}]},{"text":"I warmly welcome you all to this meeting.","start":30.783,"end":34.822,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"I","start":30.783,"end":31.288},{"text":"warmly","start":31.288,"end":31.793},{"text":"welcome","start":31.793,"end":32.298},{"text":"you","start":32.298,"end":32.802},{"text":"all","start":32.802,"end":33.307},{"text":"to","start":33.307,"end":33.812},{"text":"this","start":33.812,"end":34.317},{"text":"meeting.","start":34.317,"end":34.822}]},{"text":"As mentioned in my letter dated April 13, 2026, this meeting has convened Persian to assembly resolution 79th rogue 177 of December 17, 2024.","start":34.822,"end":46.941,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"As","start":34.822,"end":35.327},{"text":"mentioned","start":35.327,"end":35.832},{"text":"in","start":35.832,"end":36.337},{"text":"my","start":36.337,"end":36.842},{"text":"letter","start":36.842,"end":37.347},{"text":"dated","start":37.347,"end":37.852},{"text":"April","start":37.852,"end":38.357},{"text":"13,","start":38.357,"end":38.862},{"text":"2026,","start":38.862,"end":39.367},{"text":"this","start":39.367,"end":39.872},{"text":"meeting","start":39.872,"end":40.377},{"text":"has","start":40.377,"end":40.882},{"text":"convened","start":40.882,"end":41.386},{"text":"Persian","start":41.386,"end":41.891},{"text":"to","start":41.891,"end":42.396},{"text":"assembly","start":42.396,"end":42.901},{"text":"resolution","start":42.901,"end":43.406},{"text":"79th","start":43.406,"end":43.911},{"text":"rogue","start":43.911,"end":44.416},{"text":"177","start":44.416,"end":44.921},{"text":"of","start":44.921,"end":45.426},{"text":"December","start":45.426,"end":45.931},{"text":"17,","start":45.931,"end":46.436},{"text":"2024.","start":46.436,"end":46.941}]},{"text":"This meeting will comprise of an opening segment, immediately followed by the panel discussion.","start":46.941,"end":54.01,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"This","start":46.941,"end":47.446},{"text":"meeting","start":47.446,"end":47.951},{"text":"will","start":47.951,"end":48.456},{"text":"comprise","start":48.456,"end":48.961},{"text":"of","start":48.961,"end":49.466},{"text":"an","start":49.466,"end":49.971},{"text":"opening","start":49.971,"end":50.475},{"text":"segment,","start":50.475,"end":50.98},{"text":"immediately","start":50.98,"end":51.485},{"text":"followed","start":51.485,"end":51.99},{"text":"by","start":51.99,"end":52.495},{"text":"the","start":52.495,"end":53},{"text":"panel","start":53,"end":53.505},{"text":"discussion.","start":53.505,"end":54.01}]},{"text":"The High Level Panel will provide an opportunity to discuss and share best practices on how the Venice Principle can strengthen ombudsman institutions and help them respond to challenges affecting their independence and autonomy.","start":54.01,"end":71.178,"topics":[{"key":"venice-paris-framework","label":"Venice and Paris Principles Framework","description":"Speakers repeatedly discussed the Venice Principles and Paris Principles as complementary international standards for designing, assessing and protecting ombudsman and national human rights institutions. 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They also highlighted their importance for protecting vulnerable groups, human rights defenders and people affected by conflict, displacement or discrimination."}],"words":[{"text":"Excellencies,","start":77.742,"end":78.247},{"text":"Colleagues,","start":78.247,"end":78.752},{"text":"When","start":78.752,"end":79.257},{"text":"a","start":79.257,"end":79.762},{"text":"public","start":79.762,"end":80.267},{"text":"service","start":80.267,"end":80.772},{"text":"fails,","start":80.772,"end":81.277},{"text":"when","start":81.277,"end":81.782},{"text":"a","start":81.782,"end":82.287},{"text":"government","start":82.287,"end":82.792},{"text":"decision","start":82.792,"end":83.297},{"text":"is","start":83.297,"end":83.802},{"text":"unfair,","start":83.802,"end":84.307},{"text":"or","start":84.307,"end":84.812},{"text":"when","start":84.812,"end":85.317},{"text":"authorities","start":85.317,"end":85.822},{"text":"abuse","start":85.822,"end":86.326},{"text":"their","start":86.326,"end":86.831},{"text":"power,","start":86.831,"end":87.336},{"text":"people","start":87.336,"end":87.841},{"text":"need","start":87.841,"end":88.346},{"text":"somewhere","start":88.346,"end":88.851},{"text":"to","start":88.851,"end":89.356},{"text":"turn.","start":89.356,"end":89.861}]},{"text":"They need an institution that can listen, investigate and help restore accountability before injustice becomes entrenched.","start":89.861,"end":97.94,"topics":[{"key":"access-to-justice","label":"Human Rights Protection and Access to Justice","description":"Participants emphasized the role of ombudsman institutions in addressing maladministration, investigating complaints and providing accessible remedies outside the courts. 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opening segment is now concluded.","start":832.818,"end":835.175,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"The","start":832.818,"end":833.211},{"text":"opening","start":833.211,"end":833.604},{"text":"segment","start":833.604,"end":833.997},{"text":"is","start":833.997,"end":834.389},{"text":"now","start":834.389,"end":834.782},{"text":"concluded.","start":834.782,"end":835.175}]},{"text":"Thank you.","start":835.175,"end":835.96,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Thank","start":835.175,"end":835.567},{"text":"you.","start":835.567,"end":835.96}]}]}],"speaker":{"name":null,"affiliation":"GA","affiliation_full":"GA","group":null,"function":"PGA"}},{"statement_number":4,"paragraphs":[{"sentences":[{"text":"Good afternoon, everyone.","start":985.54,"end":986.667,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Good","start":985.54,"end":985.916},{"text":"afternoon,","start":985.916,"end":986.291},{"text":"everyone.","start":986.291,"end":986.667}]},{"text":"Excellencies, distinguished delegates, thank you once again to the 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further ado, I turn to the first panelist, Ms. Nadine Mayu, President of the International Ombudsman Institute, ombudsman of 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Mailloux is a lawyer and accredited mediator and has served as Ombudsman across major public institutions, later becoming Ombudsman of Laval in 2013 and Ombudsman of Montreal in 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is president of the Forum of Canadian Ombudsman and of the International Ombudsman Institute, where she also sits on its UN Relations 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Mayu is kindly invited to address several questions in her intervention.","start":1103.128,"end":1107.637,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Ms.","start":1103.128,"end":1103.504},{"text":"Mayu","start":1103.504,"end":1103.88},{"text":"is","start":1103.88,"end":1104.255},{"text":"kindly","start":1104.255,"end":1104.631},{"text":"invited","start":1104.631,"end":1105.007},{"text":"to","start":1105.007,"end":1105.383},{"text":"address","start":1105.383,"end":1105.758},{"text":"several","start":1105.758,"end":1106.134},{"text":"questions","start":1106.134,"end":1106.51},{"text":"in","start":1106.51,"end":1106.885},{"text":"her","start":1106.885,"end":1107.261},{"text":"intervention.","start":1107.261,"end":1107.637}]},{"text":"One, what are the barriers that may hinder the implementation of the provisions of the Venice Principles that seek to ensure the independence of these institutions?","start":1107.637,"end":1117.404,"topics":[{"key":"venice-paris-framework","label":"Venice and Paris 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one of these pillars responds to a specific vulnerability, a vulnerability identified by the cumulated experience of a half century of practice of ombudsman all over the 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enabling environment is not an atmosphere, it's an architecture.","start":1252.34,"end":1256.649,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"An","start":1252.34,"end":1252.771},{"text":"enabling","start":1252.771,"end":1253.202},{"text":"environment","start":1253.202,"end":1253.633},{"text":"is","start":1253.633,"end":1254.063},{"text":"not","start":1254.063,"end":1254.494},{"text":"an","start":1254.494,"end":1254.925},{"text":"atmosphere,","start":1254.925,"end":1255.356},{"text":"it's","start":1255.356,"end":1255.787},{"text":"an","start":1255.787,"end":1256.218},{"text":"architecture.","start":1256.218,"end":1256.649}]},{"text":"And every principle is a stone that forms it.","start":1256.649,"end":1260.526,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"And","start":1256.649,"end":1257.079},{"text":"every","start":1257.079,"end":1257.51},{"text":"principle","start":1257.51,"end":1257.941},{"text":"is","start":1257.941,"end":1258.372},{"text":"a","start":1258.372,"end":1258.803},{"text":"stone","start":1258.803,"end":1259.234},{"text":"that","start":1259.234,"end":1259.665},{"text":"forms","start":1259.665,"end":1260.096},{"text":"it.","start":1260.096,"end":1260.526}]},{"text":"The experience of the IOI, however, which has 200 institutions in over 100 countries, shows that this architecture is being undermined according to a recognizable scheme which moves beyond regions and political regimes.","start":1260.526,"end":1274.745,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"The","start":1260.526,"end":1260.957},{"text":"experience","start":1260.957,"end":1261.388},{"text":"of","start":1261.388,"end":1261.819},{"text":"the","start":1261.819,"end":1262.25},{"text":"IOI,","start":1262.25,"end":1262.681},{"text":"however,","start":1262.681,"end":1263.112},{"text":"which","start":1263.112,"end":1263.542},{"text":"has","start":1263.542,"end":1263.973},{"text":"200","start":1263.973,"end":1264.404},{"text":"institutions","start":1264.404,"end":1264.835},{"text":"in","start":1264.835,"end":1265.266},{"text":"over","start":1265.266,"end":1265.697},{"text":"100","start":1265.697,"end":1266.128},{"text":"countries,","start":1266.128,"end":1266.559},{"text":"shows","start":1266.559,"end":1266.989},{"text":"that","start":1266.989,"end":1267.42},{"text":"this","start":1267.42,"end":1267.851},{"text":"architecture","start":1267.851,"end":1268.282},{"text":"is","start":1268.282,"end":1268.713},{"text":"being","start":1268.713,"end":1269.144},{"text":"undermined","start":1269.144,"end":1269.575},{"text":"according","start":1269.575,"end":1270.005},{"text":"to","start":1270.005,"end":1270.436},{"text":"a","start":1270.436,"end":1270.867},{"text":"recognizable","start":1270.867,"end":1271.298},{"text":"scheme","start":1271.298,"end":1271.729},{"text":"which","start":1271.729,"end":1272.16},{"text":"moves","start":1272.16,"end":1272.591},{"text":"beyond","start":1272.591,"end":1273.022},{"text":"regions","start":1273.022,"end":1273.452},{"text":"and","start":1273.452,"end":1273.883},{"text":"political","start":1273.883,"end":1274.314},{"text":"regimes.","start":1274.314,"end":1274.745}]},{"text":"There are three recurrent challenges that we've collectively observed.","start":1274.745,"end":1278.623,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"There","start":1274.745,"end":1275.176},{"text":"are","start":1275.176,"end":1275.607},{"text":"three","start":1275.607,"end":1276.038},{"text":"recurrent","start":1276.038,"end":1276.468},{"text":"challenges","start":1276.468,"end":1276.899},{"text":"that","start":1276.899,"end":1277.33},{"text":"we've","start":1277.33,"end":1277.761},{"text":"collectively","start":1277.761,"end":1278.192},{"text":"observed.","start":1278.192,"end":1278.623}]},{"text":"Number one, asphyxiating the ombudsman with a budget in silence, without deleting the institution, they take away all its functions.","start":1278.623,"end":1287.24,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Number","start":1278.623,"end":1279.054},{"text":"one,","start":1279.054,"end":1279.485},{"text":"asphyxiating","start":1279.485,"end":1279.915},{"text":"the","start":1279.915,"end":1280.346},{"text":"ombudsman","start":1280.346,"end":1280.777},{"text":"with","start":1280.777,"end":1281.208},{"text":"a","start":1281.208,"end":1281.639},{"text":"budget","start":1281.639,"end":1282.07},{"text":"in","start":1282.07,"end":1282.501},{"text":"silence,","start":1282.501,"end":1282.932},{"text":"without","start":1282.932,"end":1283.362},{"text":"deleting","start":1283.362,"end":1283.793},{"text":"the","start":1283.793,"end":1284.224},{"text":"institution,","start":1284.224,"end":1284.655},{"text":"they","start":1284.655,"end":1285.086},{"text":"take","start":1285.086,"end":1285.517},{"text":"away","start":1285.517,"end":1285.948},{"text":"all","start":1285.948,"end":1286.378},{"text":"its","start":1286.378,"end":1286.809},{"text":"functions.","start":1286.809,"end":1287.24}]},{"text":"A major inquiry that can never be completed, a remote community that can't be visited, a systemic report that can't be published.","start":1287.24,"end":1296.719,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"A","start":1287.24,"end":1287.671},{"text":"major","start":1287.671,"end":1288.102},{"text":"inquiry","start":1288.102,"end":1288.533},{"text":"that","start":1288.533,"end":1288.964},{"text":"can","start":1288.964,"end":1289.395},{"text":"never","start":1289.395,"end":1289.825},{"text":"be","start":1289.825,"end":1290.256},{"text":"completed,","start":1290.256,"end":1290.687},{"text":"a","start":1290.687,"end":1291.118},{"text":"remote","start":1291.118,"end":1291.549},{"text":"community","start":1291.549,"end":1291.98},{"text":"that","start":1291.98,"end":1292.411},{"text":"can't","start":1292.411,"end":1292.841},{"text":"be","start":1292.841,"end":1293.272},{"text":"visited,","start":1293.272,"end":1293.703},{"text":"a","start":1293.703,"end":1294.134},{"text":"systemic","start":1294.134,"end":1294.565},{"text":"report","start":1294.565,"end":1294.996},{"text":"that","start":1294.996,"end":1295.427},{"text":"can't","start":1295.427,"end":1295.858},{"text":"be","start":1295.858,"end":1296.288},{"text":"published.","start":1296.288,"end":1296.719}]},{"text":"And this is a form of suffocating without leaving any visible trace.","start":1296.719,"end":1301.89,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"And","start":1296.719,"end":1297.15},{"text":"this","start":1297.15,"end":1297.581},{"text":"is","start":1297.581,"end":1298.012},{"text":"a","start":1298.012,"end":1298.443},{"text":"form","start":1298.443,"end":1298.874},{"text":"of","start":1298.874,"end":1299.304},{"text":"suffocating","start":1299.304,"end":1299.735},{"text":"without","start":1299.735,"end":1300.166},{"text":"leaving","start":1300.166,"end":1300.597},{"text":"any","start":1300.597,"end":1301.028},{"text":"visible","start":1301.028,"end":1301.459},{"text":"trace.","start":1301.459,"end":1301.89}]},{"text":"And Principle 21 of the Venice Principles exist to make it impossible.","start":1301.89,"end":1307.06,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"And","start":1301.89,"end":1302.321},{"text":"Principle","start":1302.321,"end":1302.751},{"text":"21","start":1302.751,"end":1303.182},{"text":"of","start":1303.182,"end":1303.613},{"text":"the","start":1303.613,"end":1304.044},{"text":"Venice","start":1304.044,"end":1304.475},{"text":"Principles","start":1304.475,"end":1304.906},{"text":"exist","start":1304.906,"end":1305.337},{"text":"to","start":1305.337,"end":1305.767},{"text":"make","start":1305.767,"end":1306.198},{"text":"it","start":1306.198,"end":1306.629},{"text":"impossible.","start":1306.629,"end":1307.06}]},{"text":"And the second challenge is the discrete politicization of nominations, leaders that are chosen not for their ability to dissent, but for their 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principles six to nine respond to that, setting down the need for transparent process, qualified parliamentary majority and strictly regulated criteria for 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the third challenge, which is more recent and more insidious, is the erosion of the narrative.","start":1327.742,"end":1335.066,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"And","start":1327.742,"end":1328.173},{"text":"the","start":1328.173,"end":1328.603},{"text":"third","start":1328.603,"end":1329.034},{"text":"challenge,","start":1329.034,"end":1329.465},{"text":"which","start":1329.465,"end":1329.896},{"text":"is","start":1329.896,"end":1330.327},{"text":"more","start":1330.327,"end":1330.758},{"text":"recent","start":1330.758,"end":1331.189},{"text":"and","start":1331.189,"end":1331.62},{"text":"more","start":1331.62,"end":1332.05},{"text":"insidious,","start":1332.05,"end":1332.481},{"text":"is","start":1332.481,"end":1332.912},{"text":"the","start":1332.912,"end":1333.343},{"text":"erosion","start":1333.343,"end":1333.774},{"text":"of","start":1333.774,"end":1334.205},{"text":"the","start":1334.205,"end":1334.636},{"text":"narrative.","start":1334.636,"end":1335.066}]},{"text":"A practice considering to publicly discredit the institution.","start":1335.066,"end":1338.513,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"A","start":1335.066,"end":1335.497},{"text":"practice","start":1335.497,"end":1335.928},{"text":"considering","start":1335.928,"end":1336.359},{"text":"to","start":1336.359,"end":1336.79},{"text":"publicly","start":1336.79,"end":1337.221},{"text":"discredit","start":1337.221,"end":1337.652},{"text":"the","start":1337.652,"end":1338.083},{"text":"institution.","start":1338.083,"end":1338.513}]},{"text":"And Principle 24 formally banned states from taking any action to undermine the effective functioning of the 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candid.","start":1346.269,"end":1348.423,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Allow","start":1346.269,"end":1346.7},{"text":"me","start":1346.7,"end":1347.131},{"text":"to","start":1347.131,"end":1347.562},{"text":"be","start":1347.562,"end":1347.993},{"text":"candid.","start":1347.993,"end":1348.423}]},{"text":"An ombudsman that does not investigate the government is not an ombudsman.","start":1348.423,"end":1353.594,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"An","start":1348.423,"end":1348.854},{"text":"ombudsman","start":1348.854,"end":1349.285},{"text":"that","start":1349.285,"end":1349.716},{"text":"does","start":1349.716,"end":1350.147},{"text":"not","start":1350.147,"end":1350.578},{"text":"investigate","start":1350.578,"end":1351.009},{"text":"the","start":1351.009,"end":1351.439},{"text":"government","start":1351.439,"end":1351.87},{"text":"is","start":1351.87,"end":1352.301},{"text":"not","start":1352.301,"end":1352.732},{"text":"an","start":1352.732,"end":1353.163},{"text":"ombudsman.","start":1353.163,"end":1353.594}]},{"text":"That's a communication strategy equipped with a mandate.","start":1353.594,"end":1357.041,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"That's","start":1353.594,"end":1354.025},{"text":"a","start":1354.025,"end":1354.456},{"text":"communication","start":1354.456,"end":1354.886},{"text":"strategy","start":1354.886,"end":1355.317},{"text":"equipped","start":1355.317,"end":1355.748},{"text":"with","start":1355.748,"end":1356.179},{"text":"a","start":1356.179,"end":1356.61},{"text":"mandate.","start":1356.61,"end":1357.041}]},{"text":"But why is this bringing institutions into conformity so 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Venice?","start":1361.349,"end":1367.382,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"And","start":1361.349,"end":1361.78},{"text":"what","start":1361.78,"end":1362.211},{"text":"are","start":1362.211,"end":1362.642},{"text":"the","start":1362.642,"end":1363.073},{"text":"genuine","start":1363.073,"end":1363.504},{"text":"obstacles","start":1363.504,"end":1363.935},{"text":"to","start":1363.935,"end":1364.365},{"text":"the","start":1364.365,"end":1364.796},{"text":"implementation","start":1364.796,"end":1365.227},{"text":"of","start":1365.227,"end":1365.658},{"text":"the","start":1365.658,"end":1366.089},{"text":"principles","start":1366.089,"end":1366.52},{"text":"of","start":1366.52,"end":1366.951},{"text":"Venice?","start":1366.951,"end":1367.382}]},{"text":"I'm being frank because the question deserves frankness.","start":1367.382,"end":1370.828,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"I'm","start":1367.382,"end":1367.812},{"text":"being","start":1367.812,"end":1368.243},{"text":"frank","start":1368.243,"end":1368.674},{"text":"because","start":1368.674,"end":1369.105},{"text":"the","start":1369.105,"end":1369.536},{"text":"question","start":1369.536,"end":1369.967},{"text":"deserves","start":1369.967,"end":1370.398},{"text":"frankness.","start":1370.398,"end":1370.828}]},{"text":"Obstacles to conformity are never only technical.","start":1370.828,"end":1373.845,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Obstacles","start":1370.828,"end":1371.259},{"text":"to","start":1371.259,"end":1371.69},{"text":"conformity","start":1371.69,"end":1372.121},{"text":"are","start":1372.121,"end":1372.552},{"text":"never","start":1372.552,"end":1372.983},{"text":"only","start":1372.983,"end":1373.414},{"text":"technical.","start":1373.414,"end":1373.845}]},{"text":"They are almost always 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is the the obstacle is not complexity.","start":1385.047,"end":1388.494,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"What","start":1385.047,"end":1385.478},{"text":"is","start":1385.478,"end":1385.909},{"text":"the","start":1385.909,"end":1386.34},{"text":"the","start":1386.34,"end":1386.771},{"text":"obstacle","start":1386.771,"end":1387.201},{"text":"is","start":1387.201,"end":1387.632},{"text":"not","start":1387.632,"end":1388.063},{"text":"complexity.","start":1388.063,"end":1388.494}]},{"text":"It's the perception that strengthening the independence of the ombudsman will weaken the 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four commitments are the essence of an enabling environment.","start":1506.121,"end":1510.43,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"These","start":1506.121,"end":1506.552},{"text":"four","start":1506.552,"end":1506.983},{"text":"commitments","start":1506.983,"end":1507.414},{"text":"are","start":1507.414,"end":1507.844},{"text":"the","start":1507.844,"end":1508.275},{"text":"essence","start":1508.275,"end":1508.706},{"text":"of","start":1508.706,"end":1509.137},{"text":"an","start":1509.137,"end":1509.568},{"text":"enabling","start":1509.568,"end":1509.999},{"text":"environment.","start":1509.999,"end":1510.43}]},{"text":"The resolution this assembly adopted by consensus 18 months ago Sketches out the right 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Several speakers warned that budget cuts, austerity measures and weak infrastructure can undermine autonomy and limit outreach to vulnerable communities."}],"words":[{"text":"We've","start":1707.496,"end":1707.883},{"text":"heard","start":1707.883,"end":1708.27},{"text":"clearly","start":1708.27,"end":1708.657},{"text":"how","start":1708.657,"end":1709.045},{"text":"structural,","start":1709.045,"end":1709.432},{"text":"political","start":1709.432,"end":1709.819},{"text":"and","start":1709.819,"end":1710.206},{"text":"resource","start":1710.206,"end":1710.593},{"text":"related","start":1710.593,"end":1710.98},{"text":"barriers","start":1710.98,"end":1711.367},{"text":"continue","start":1711.367,"end":1711.754},{"text":"to","start":1711.754,"end":1712.141},{"text":"challenge","start":1712.141,"end":1712.528},{"text":"the","start":1712.528,"end":1712.915},{"text":"full","start":1712.915,"end":1713.302},{"text":"implementation","start":1713.302,"end":1713.689},{"text":"of","start":1713.689,"end":1714.076},{"text":"the","start":1714.076,"end":1714.463},{"text":"Venice","start":1714.463,"end":1714.85},{"text":"Principles.","start":1714.85,"end":1715.237}]},{"text":"Yet at the same time, how these principles can serve to safeguard the operating space of ombudsman and mediator institutions.","start":1715.237,"end":1722.978,"topics":[{"key":"venice-paris-framework","label":"Venice and Paris Principles Framework","description":"Speakers repeatedly discussed the Venice Principles and Paris Principles as complementary international standards for designing, assessing and protecting ombudsman and national human rights institutions. 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International cooperation was presented as a way to share best practices, build capacity and reinforce protection for independent institutions."}],"words":[{"text":"Ms.","start":1743.878,"end":1744.265},{"text":"Cruikshank","start":1744.265,"end":1744.652},{"text":"is","start":1744.652,"end":1745.039},{"text":"also","start":1745.039,"end":1745.426},{"text":"currently","start":1745.426,"end":1745.814},{"text":"serving","start":1745.814,"end":1746.201},{"text":"as","start":1746.201,"end":1746.588},{"text":"First","start":1746.588,"end":1746.975},{"text":"Vice","start":1746.975,"end":1747.362},{"text":"President","start":1747.362,"end":1747.749},{"text":"of","start":1747.749,"end":1748.136},{"text":"the","start":1748.136,"end":1748.523},{"text":"Ibero","start":1748.523,"end":1748.91},{"text":"American","start":1748.91,"end":1749.297},{"text":"Federation","start":1749.297,"end":1749.684},{"text":"of","start":1749.684,"end":1750.071},{"text":"Ombudsman","start":1750.071,"end":1750.458},{"text":"FIO.","start":1750.458,"end":1750.845}]},{"text":"She was recognized in 2019 as one of the world's 100 most influential people of African descent.","start":1750.845,"end":1757.425,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"She","start":1750.845,"end":1751.232},{"text":"was","start":1751.232,"end":1751.619},{"text":"recognized","start":1751.619,"end":1752.006},{"text":"in","start":1752.006,"end":1752.393},{"text":"2019","start":1752.393,"end":1752.78},{"text":"as","start":1752.78,"end":1753.167},{"text":"one","start":1753.167,"end":1753.554},{"text":"of","start":1753.554,"end":1753.941},{"text":"the","start":1753.941,"end":1754.328},{"text":"world's","start":1754.328,"end":1754.715},{"text":"100","start":1754.715,"end":1755.103},{"text":"most","start":1755.103,"end":1755.49},{"text":"influential","start":1755.49,"end":1755.877},{"text":"people","start":1755.877,"end":1756.264},{"text":"of","start":1756.264,"end":1756.651},{"text":"African","start":1756.651,"end":1757.038},{"text":"descent.","start":1757.038,"end":1757.425}]},{"text":"Under 40, Ms. Craigshank is kindly invited to address these questions in her intervention.","start":1757.425,"end":1762.843,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Under","start":1757.425,"end":1757.812},{"text":"40,","start":1757.812,"end":1758.199},{"text":"Ms.","start":1758.199,"end":1758.586},{"text":"Craigshank","start":1758.586,"end":1758.973},{"text":"is","start":1758.973,"end":1759.36},{"text":"kindly","start":1759.36,"end":1759.747},{"text":"invited","start":1759.747,"end":1760.134},{"text":"to","start":1760.134,"end":1760.521},{"text":"address","start":1760.521,"end":1760.908},{"text":"these","start":1760.908,"end":1761.295},{"text":"questions","start":1761.295,"end":1761.682},{"text":"in","start":1761.682,"end":1762.069},{"text":"her","start":1762.069,"end":1762.456},{"text":"intervention.","start":1762.456,"end":1762.843}]},{"text":"How can the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights better support the establishment of independent ombudsman and mediator institutions in accordance with the Venice Principles and the Paris Principles?","start":1762.843,"end":1775.616,"topics":[{"key":"venice-paris-framework","label":"Venice and Paris Principles Framework","description":"Speakers repeatedly discussed the Venice Principles and Paris Principles as complementary international standards for designing, assessing and protecting ombudsman and national human rights institutions. 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third and final panelist for today is Mr. Rafael Bustos Gisbert, Member of the Venice Commission of the Council of 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me introduce you very quickly.","start":2224.555,"end":2226.824,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Let","start":2224.555,"end":2224.933},{"text":"me","start":2224.933,"end":2225.311},{"text":"introduce","start":2225.311,"end":2225.69},{"text":"you","start":2225.69,"end":2226.068},{"text":"very","start":2226.068,"end":2226.446},{"text":"quickly.","start":2226.446,"end":2226.824}]},{"text":"Mr. Bustos is the Spanish member of the Venice Commission and a Professor of Constitutional Law at the Complutense University of Madrid, where he also directs the Institute of Parliamentary 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a member of the Venice Commission, he has served as rapporteur for several opinions, including the 2024 report on bicameralism, and contributed to the working group that drafted the 2025 updated checklist on the rule of law.","start":2238.546,"end":2252.915,"topics":[{"key":"rule-of-law","label":"Rule of Law and Checks and Balances","description":"Ombudsman institutions were widely described as part of the system of checks and balances that defends democracy, accountability and good governance. 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Bustos, you have the floor.","start":2283.921,"end":2286.19,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Mr.","start":2283.921,"end":2284.299},{"text":"Bustos,","start":2284.299,"end":2284.677},{"text":"you","start":2284.677,"end":2285.056},{"text":"have","start":2285.056,"end":2285.434},{"text":"the","start":2285.434,"end":2285.812},{"text":"floor.","start":2285.812,"end":2286.19}]}]}],"speaker":{"name":"Anne Sioute","affiliation":"OHCHR","affiliation_full":"OHCHR","group":null,"function":"Chief"}},{"statement_number":9,"paragraphs":[{"sentences":[{"text":"Thank you.","start":2290.51,"end":2291.561,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Thank","start":2290.51,"end":2291.036},{"text":"you.","start":2291.036,"end":2291.561}]},{"text":"I'd like to start by thanking on behalf of Venice Commission, the invitation to participate in this conference and outline the work that the Commission has been doing on these 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really, after the two excellent interventions we just heard by my colleagues, here I am.","start":2307.852,"end":2316.26,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Although","start":2307.852,"end":2308.377},{"text":"really,","start":2308.377,"end":2308.903},{"text":"after","start":2308.903,"end":2309.428},{"text":"the","start":2309.428,"end":2309.954},{"text":"two","start":2309.954,"end":2310.479},{"text":"excellent","start":2310.479,"end":2311.005},{"text":"interventions","start":2311.005,"end":2311.53},{"text":"we","start":2311.53,"end":2312.056},{"text":"just","start":2312.056,"end":2312.581},{"text":"heard","start":2312.581,"end":2313.107},{"text":"by","start":2313.107,"end":2313.632},{"text":"my","start":2313.632,"end":2314.158},{"text":"colleagues,","start":2314.158,"end":2314.683},{"text":"here","start":2314.683,"end":2315.209},{"text":"I","start":2315.209,"end":2315.734},{"text":"am.","start":2315.734,"end":2316.26}]},{"text":"I feel 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years.","start":2330.974,"end":2337.28,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"It","start":2330.974,"end":2331.5},{"text":"hasn't","start":2331.5,"end":2332.025},{"text":"been","start":2332.025,"end":2332.551},{"text":"that","start":2332.551,"end":2333.076},{"text":"easy","start":2333.076,"end":2333.602},{"text":"to","start":2333.602,"end":2334.127},{"text":"achieve","start":2334.127,"end":2334.653},{"text":"that","start":2334.653,"end":2335.178},{"text":"after","start":2335.178,"end":2335.704},{"text":"so","start":2335.704,"end":2336.229},{"text":"many","start":2336.229,"end":2336.755},{"text":"years.","start":2336.755,"end":2337.28}]},{"text":"Now, having said that, and continuing on the topics already outlined by my colleagues, I wrote a text, but I think it's better to adapt my statement to further develop what my colleagues said and to explain 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thank you for your cooperation.","start":2862.807,"end":2865.29,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"I","start":2862.807,"end":2863.221},{"text":"thank","start":2863.221,"end":2863.635},{"text":"you","start":2863.635,"end":2864.049},{"text":"for","start":2864.049,"end":2864.463},{"text":"your","start":2864.463,"end":2864.876},{"text":"cooperation.","start":2864.876,"end":2865.29}]},{"text":"I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the European Union, followed by Bahrain, on behalf of the gcc.","start":2865.29,"end":2873.98,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"I","start":2865.29,"end":2865.704},{"text":"now","start":2865.704,"end":2866.118},{"text":"give","start":2866.118,"end":2866.532},{"text":"the","start":2866.532,"end":2866.945},{"text":"floor","start":2866.945,"end":2867.359},{"text":"to","start":2867.359,"end":2867.773},{"text":"the","start":2867.773,"end":2868.187},{"text":"distinguished","start":2868.187,"end":2868.601},{"text":"representative","start":2868.601,"end":2869.014},{"text":"of","start":2869.014,"end":2869.428},{"text":"the","start":2869.428,"end":2869.842},{"text":"European","start":2869.842,"end":2870.256},{"text":"Union,","start":2870.256,"end":2870.67},{"text":"followed","start":2870.67,"end":2871.083},{"text":"by","start":2871.083,"end":2871.497},{"text":"Bahrain,","start":2871.497,"end":2871.911},{"text":"on","start":2871.911,"end":2872.325},{"text":"behalf","start":2872.325,"end":2872.739},{"text":"of","start":2872.739,"end":2873.152},{"text":"the","start":2873.152,"end":2873.566},{"text":"gcc.","start":2873.566,"end":2873.98}]}]}],"speaker":{"name":"Anne 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topic.","start":2881.417,"end":2892.377,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"I","start":2881.417,"end":2881.873},{"text":"have","start":2881.873,"end":2882.33},{"text":"the","start":2882.33,"end":2882.787},{"text":"honor","start":2882.787,"end":2883.243},{"text":"to","start":2883.243,"end":2883.7},{"text":"speak","start":2883.7,"end":2884.157},{"text":"on","start":2884.157,"end":2884.613},{"text":"behalf","start":2884.613,"end":2885.07},{"text":"of","start":2885.07,"end":2885.527},{"text":"the","start":2885.527,"end":2885.983},{"text":"European","start":2885.983,"end":2886.44},{"text":"Union","start":2886.44,"end":2886.897},{"text":"and","start":2886.897,"end":2887.353},{"text":"its","start":2887.353,"end":2887.81},{"text":"member","start":2887.81,"end":2888.267},{"text":"States","start":2888.267,"end":2888.723},{"text":"and","start":2888.723,"end":2889.18},{"text":"share","start":2889.18,"end":2889.637},{"text":"some","start":2889.637,"end":2890.093},{"text":"reflections","start":2890.093,"end":2890.55},{"text":"on","start":2890.55,"end":2891.007},{"text":"this","start":2891.007,"end":2891.463},{"text":"important","start":2891.463,"end":2891.92},{"text":"topic.","start":2891.92,"end":2892.377}]},{"text":"As 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you, Madam President.","start":3399.742,"end":3402.26,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Thank","start":3399.742,"end":3400.371},{"text":"you,","start":3400.371,"end":3401.001},{"text":"Madam","start":3401.001,"end":3401.63},{"text":"President.","start":3401.63,"end":3402.26}]}]}],"speaker":{"name":null,"affiliation":"BHR","affiliation_full":"Bahrain","group":"GCC","function":"Representative"}},{"statement_number":14,"paragraphs":[{"sentences":[{"text":"Thank you.","start":3402.5,"end":3403.124,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Thank","start":3402.5,"end":3402.812},{"text":"you.","start":3402.812,"end":3403.124}]},{"text":"I thank the distinguished representative of Bahrain on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council.","start":3403.124,"end":3407.492,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"I","start":3403.124,"end":3403.436},{"text":"thank","start":3403.436,"end":3403.748},{"text":"the","start":3403.748,"end":3404.06},{"text":"distinguished","start":3404.06,"end":3404.372},{"text":"representative","start":3404.372,"end":3404.684},{"text":"of","start":3404.684,"end":3404.996},{"text":"Bahrain","start":3404.996,"end":3405.308},{"text":"on","start":3405.308,"end":3405.62},{"text":"behalf","start":3405.62,"end":3405.932},{"text":"of","start":3405.932,"end":3406.244},{"text":"the","start":3406.244,"end":3406.556},{"text":"Gulf","start":3406.556,"end":3406.868},{"text":"Cooperation","start":3406.868,"end":3407.18},{"text":"Council.","start":3407.18,"end":3407.492}]},{"text":"I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cyprus, followed by Turkmenistan.","start":3407.492,"end":3411.86,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"I","start":3407.492,"end":3407.804},{"text":"now","start":3407.804,"end":3408.116},{"text":"give","start":3408.116,"end":3408.428},{"text":"the","start":3408.428,"end":3408.74},{"text":"floor","start":3408.74,"end":3409.052},{"text":"to","start":3409.052,"end":3409.364},{"text":"the","start":3409.364,"end":3409.676},{"text":"distinguished","start":3409.676,"end":3409.988},{"text":"representative","start":3409.988,"end":3410.3},{"text":"of","start":3410.3,"end":3410.612},{"text":"Cyprus,","start":3410.612,"end":3410.924},{"text":"followed","start":3410.924,"end":3411.236},{"text":"by","start":3411.236,"end":3411.548},{"text":"Turkmenistan.","start":3411.548,"end":3411.86}]}]}],"speaker":{"name":"Anne Sioute","affiliation":"OHCHR","affiliation_full":"OHCHR","group":null,"function":"Chief"}},{"statement_number":15,"paragraphs":[{"sentences":[{"text":"Independent oversight institutions are essential pillars of 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terms protecting human rights is a critical task of every State at the current stage of the development of human 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Turkmenistan.","start":3794.54,"end":3796.97,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"I","start":3794.54,"end":3794.887},{"text":"thank","start":3794.887,"end":3795.234},{"text":"the","start":3795.234,"end":3795.582},{"text":"distinguished","start":3795.582,"end":3795.929},{"text":"representative","start":3795.929,"end":3796.276},{"text":"of","start":3796.276,"end":3796.623},{"text":"Turkmenistan.","start":3796.623,"end":3796.97}]},{"text":"I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Morocco for followed by Austria and then 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Speakers linked strong ombuds institutions to resisting democratic backsliding and strengthening public oversight of state power."},{"key":"access-to-justice","label":"Human Rights Protection and Access to Justice","description":"Participants emphasized the role of ombudsman institutions in addressing maladministration, investigating complaints and providing accessible remedies outside the courts. They also highlighted their importance for protecting vulnerable groups, human rights defenders and people affected by conflict, displacement or discrimination."}],"words":[{"text":"Morocco","start":3817.48,"end":3817.944},{"text":"attaches","start":3817.944,"end":3818.407},{"text":"particular","start":3818.407,"end":3818.871},{"text":"importance","start":3818.871,"end":3819.334},{"text":"to","start":3819.334,"end":3819.798},{"text":"strengthening","start":3819.798,"end":3820.261},{"text":"institutions","start":3820.261,"end":3820.725},{"text":"that","start":3820.725,"end":3821.189},{"text":"promote","start":3821.189,"end":3821.652},{"text":"good","start":3821.652,"end":3822.116},{"text":"governance,","start":3822.116,"end":3822.579},{"text":"the","start":3822.579,"end":3823.043},{"text":"rule","start":3823.043,"end":3823.507},{"text":"of","start":3823.507,"end":3823.97},{"text":"law,","start":3823.97,"end":3824.434},{"text":"administrative","start":3824.434,"end":3824.897},{"text":"fairness","start":3824.897,"end":3825.361},{"text":"and","start":3825.361,"end":3825.824},{"text":"the","start":3825.824,"end":3826.288},{"text":"protection","start":3826.288,"end":3826.752},{"text":"of","start":3826.752,"end":3827.215},{"text":"human","start":3827.215,"end":3827.679},{"text":"rights.","start":3827.679,"end":3828.142}]},{"text":"In this regard, the Moroccan Institution of the Mediator constitutes an essential pillar of the Moroccan institutional architecture and reflects our national commitment to improving relations between citizens and the administration.","start":3828.142,"end":3842.513,"topics":[{"key":"access-to-justice","label":"Human Rights Protection and Access to Justice","description":"Participants emphasized the role of ombudsman institutions in addressing maladministration, investigating complaints and providing accessible remedies outside the courts. They also highlighted their importance for protecting vulnerable groups, human rights defenders and people affected by conflict, displacement or discrimination."}],"words":[{"text":"In","start":3828.142,"end":3828.606},{"text":"this","start":3828.606,"end":3829.069},{"text":"regard,","start":3829.069,"end":3829.533},{"text":"the","start":3829.533,"end":3829.997},{"text":"Moroccan","start":3829.997,"end":3830.46},{"text":"Institution","start":3830.46,"end":3830.924},{"text":"of","start":3830.924,"end":3831.387},{"text":"the","start":3831.387,"end":3831.851},{"text":"Mediator","start":3831.851,"end":3832.314},{"text":"constitutes","start":3832.314,"end":3832.778},{"text":"an","start":3832.778,"end":3833.242},{"text":"essential","start":3833.242,"end":3833.705},{"text":"pillar","start":3833.705,"end":3834.169},{"text":"of","start":3834.169,"end":3834.632},{"text":"the","start":3834.632,"end":3835.096},{"text":"Moroccan","start":3835.096,"end":3835.559},{"text":"institutional","start":3835.559,"end":3836.023},{"text":"architecture","start":3836.023,"end":3836.487},{"text":"and","start":3836.487,"end":3836.95},{"text":"reflects","start":3836.95,"end":3837.414},{"text":"our","start":3837.414,"end":3837.877},{"text":"national","start":3837.877,"end":3838.341},{"text":"commitment","start":3838.341,"end":3838.804},{"text":"to","start":3838.804,"end":3839.268},{"text":"improving","start":3839.268,"end":3839.732},{"text":"relations","start":3839.732,"end":3840.195},{"text":"between","start":3840.195,"end":3840.659},{"text":"citizens","start":3840.659,"end":3841.122},{"text":"and","start":3841.122,"end":3841.586},{"text":"the","start":3841.586,"end":3842.049},{"text":"administration.","start":3842.049,"end":3842.513}]},{"text":"Today, Morocco is entering a new phase aimed at reinforcing the strategic and forward looking role of the institutional mediation.","start":3842.513,"end":3851.784,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Today,","start":3842.513,"end":3842.977},{"text":"Morocco","start":3842.977,"end":3843.44},{"text":"is","start":3843.44,"end":3843.904},{"text":"entering","start":3843.904,"end":3844.367},{"text":"a","start":3844.367,"end":3844.831},{"text":"new","start":3844.831,"end":3845.294},{"text":"phase","start":3845.294,"end":3845.758},{"text":"aimed","start":3845.758,"end":3846.222},{"text":"at","start":3846.222,"end":3846.685},{"text":"reinforcing","start":3846.685,"end":3847.149},{"text":"the","start":3847.149,"end":3847.612},{"text":"strategic","start":3847.612,"end":3848.076},{"text":"and","start":3848.076,"end":3848.539},{"text":"forward","start":3848.539,"end":3849.003},{"text":"looking","start":3849.003,"end":3849.467},{"text":"role","start":3849.467,"end":3849.93},{"text":"of","start":3849.93,"end":3850.394},{"text":"the","start":3850.394,"end":3850.857},{"text":"institutional","start":3850.857,"end":3851.321},{"text":"mediation.","start":3851.321,"end":3851.784}]},{"text":"In this regard, the Institution of the Mediator is currently developing a new Strategic Plan 202362030 which seeks namely to strengthen the institutional contribution to public debate on the quality of public services, consolidate its role as a reliable source of expertise and knowledge regarding transformations in the relationship between citizens and public administration, develop analytical and proactive tools to address institutional challenges and broaden strategic partnerships with national and regional stakeholders in order in order to bring mediation services closer to citizens throughout the Kingdom.","start":3851.784,"end":3891.652,"topics":[{"key":"institutional-resources","label":"Institutional Resources and Budgetary Autonomy","description":"Adequate funding, staffing and operational capacity were repeatedly identified as conditions for ombudsman effectiveness. Several speakers warned that budget cuts, austerity measures and weak infrastructure can undermine autonomy and limit outreach to vulnerable communities."},{"key":"access-to-justice","label":"Human Rights Protection and Access to Justice","description":"Participants emphasized the role of ombudsman institutions in addressing maladministration, investigating complaints and providing accessible remedies outside the courts. They also highlighted their importance for protecting vulnerable groups, human rights defenders and people affected by conflict, displacement or discrimination."},{"key":"international-cooperation","label":"International Cooperation and Ombudsman Networks","description":"Speakers repeatedly called for stronger cooperation among states, OHCHR, regional organizations and ombudsman networks such as GANHRI, the IOI and regional federations. International cooperation was presented as a way to share best practices, build capacity and reinforce protection for independent institutions."}],"words":[{"text":"In","start":3851.784,"end":3852.248},{"text":"this","start":3852.248,"end":3852.712},{"text":"regard,","start":3852.712,"end":3853.175},{"text":"the","start":3853.175,"end":3853.639},{"text":"Institution","start":3853.639,"end":3854.102},{"text":"of","start":3854.102,"end":3854.566},{"text":"the","start":3854.566,"end":3855.03},{"text":"Mediator","start":3855.03,"end":3855.493},{"text":"is","start":3855.493,"end":3855.957},{"text":"currently","start":3855.957,"end":3856.42},{"text":"developing","start":3856.42,"end":3856.884},{"text":"a","start":3856.884,"end":3857.347},{"text":"new","start":3857.347,"end":3857.811},{"text":"Strategic","start":3857.811,"end":3858.275},{"text":"Plan","start":3858.275,"end":3858.738},{"text":"202362030","start":3858.738,"end":3859.202},{"text":"which","start":3859.202,"end":3859.665},{"text":"seeks","start":3859.665,"end":3860.129},{"text":"namely","start":3860.129,"end":3860.592},{"text":"to","start":3860.592,"end":3861.056},{"text":"strengthen","start":3861.056,"end":3861.52},{"text":"the","start":3861.52,"end":3861.983},{"text":"institutional","start":3861.983,"end":3862.447},{"text":"contribution","start":3862.447,"end":3862.91},{"text":"to","start":3862.91,"end":3863.374},{"text":"public","start":3863.374,"end":3863.837},{"text":"debate","start":3863.837,"end":3864.301},{"text":"on","start":3864.301,"end":3864.765},{"text":"the","start":3864.765,"end":3865.228},{"text":"quality","start":3865.228,"end":3865.692},{"text":"of","start":3865.692,"end":3866.155},{"text":"public","start":3866.155,"end":3866.619},{"text":"services,","start":3866.619,"end":3867.082},{"text":"consolidate","start":3867.082,"end":3867.546},{"text":"its","start":3867.546,"end":3868.01},{"text":"role","start":3868.01,"end":3868.473},{"text":"as","start":3868.473,"end":3868.937},{"text":"a","start":3868.937,"end":3869.4},{"text":"reliable","start":3869.4,"end":3869.864},{"text":"source","start":3869.864,"end":3870.327},{"text":"of","start":3870.327,"end":3870.791},{"text":"expertise","start":3870.791,"end":3871.255},{"text":"and","start":3871.255,"end":3871.718},{"text":"knowledge","start":3871.718,"end":3872.182},{"text":"regarding","start":3872.182,"end":3872.645},{"text":"transformations","start":3872.645,"end":3873.109},{"text":"in","start":3873.109,"end":3873.572},{"text":"the","start":3873.572,"end":3874.036},{"text":"relationship","start":3874.036,"end":3874.5},{"text":"between","start":3874.5,"end":3874.963},{"text":"citizens","start":3874.963,"end":3875.427},{"text":"and","start":3875.427,"end":3875.89},{"text":"public","start":3875.89,"end":3876.354},{"text":"administration,","start":3876.354,"end":3876.817},{"text":"develop","start":3876.817,"end":3877.281},{"text":"analytical","start":3877.281,"end":3877.745},{"text":"and","start":3877.745,"end":3878.208},{"text":"proactive","start":3878.208,"end":3878.672},{"text":"tools","start":3878.672,"end":3879.135},{"text":"to","start":3879.135,"end":3879.599},{"text":"address","start":3879.599,"end":3880.062},{"text":"institutional","start":3880.062,"end":3880.526},{"text":"challenges","start":3880.526,"end":3880.99},{"text":"and","start":3880.99,"end":3881.453},{"text":"broaden","start":3881.453,"end":3881.917},{"text":"strategic","start":3881.917,"end":3882.38},{"text":"partnerships","start":3882.38,"end":3882.844},{"text":"with","start":3882.844,"end":3883.307},{"text":"national","start":3883.307,"end":3883.771},{"text":"and","start":3883.771,"end":3884.235},{"text":"regional","start":3884.235,"end":3884.698},{"text":"stakeholders","start":3884.698,"end":3885.162},{"text":"in","start":3885.162,"end":3885.625},{"text":"order","start":3885.625,"end":3886.089},{"text":"in","start":3886.089,"end":3886.552},{"text":"order","start":3886.552,"end":3887.016},{"text":"to","start":3887.016,"end":3887.48},{"text":"bring","start":3887.48,"end":3887.943},{"text":"mediation","start":3887.943,"end":3888.407},{"text":"services","start":3888.407,"end":3888.87},{"text":"closer","start":3888.87,"end":3889.334},{"text":"to","start":3889.334,"end":3889.798},{"text":"citizens","start":3889.798,"end":3890.261},{"text":"throughout","start":3890.261,"end":3890.725},{"text":"the","start":3890.725,"end":3891.188},{"text":"Kingdom.","start":3891.188,"end":3891.652}]},{"text":"Morocco also wishes to highlight several innovative initiatives undertaken by the Institution of the Mediator, including Project Administration of Equality, aimed at identifying and addressing forms of undeclared discrimination in administrative relations Project Territorial justice and Proximity, intended to strengthen administration administrative equity for vulnerable population and underserved territories initiatives promoting equal access to information and public assistance through greater transparency and administrative accountability.","start":3891.652,"end":3921.32,"topics":[{"key":"access-to-justice","label":"Human Rights Protection and Access to Justice","description":"Participants emphasized the role of ombudsman institutions in addressing maladministration, investigating complaints and providing accessible remedies outside the courts. They also highlighted their importance for protecting vulnerable groups, human rights defenders and people affected by conflict, displacement or discrimination."},{"key":"rule-of-law","label":"Rule of Law and Checks and Balances","description":"Ombudsman institutions were widely described as part of the system of checks and balances that defends democracy, accountability and good governance. Speakers linked strong ombuds institutions to resisting democratic backsliding and strengthening public oversight of state power."}],"words":[{"text":"Morocco","start":3891.652,"end":3892.115},{"text":"also","start":3892.115,"end":3892.579},{"text":"wishes","start":3892.579,"end":3893.043},{"text":"to","start":3893.043,"end":3893.506},{"text":"highlight","start":3893.506,"end":3893.97},{"text":"several","start":3893.97,"end":3894.433},{"text":"innovative","start":3894.433,"end":3894.897},{"text":"initiatives","start":3894.897,"end":3895.36},{"text":"undertaken","start":3895.36,"end":3895.824},{"text":"by","start":3895.824,"end":3896.288},{"text":"the","start":3896.288,"end":3896.751},{"text":"Institution","start":3896.751,"end":3897.215},{"text":"of","start":3897.215,"end":3897.678},{"text":"the","start":3897.678,"end":3898.142},{"text":"Mediator,","start":3898.142,"end":3898.605},{"text":"including","start":3898.605,"end":3899.069},{"text":"Project","start":3899.069,"end":3899.533},{"text":"Administration","start":3899.533,"end":3899.996},{"text":"of","start":3899.996,"end":3900.46},{"text":"Equality,","start":3900.46,"end":3900.923},{"text":"aimed","start":3900.923,"end":3901.387},{"text":"at","start":3901.387,"end":3901.85},{"text":"identifying","start":3901.85,"end":3902.314},{"text":"and","start":3902.314,"end":3902.778},{"text":"addressing","start":3902.778,"end":3903.241},{"text":"forms","start":3903.241,"end":3903.705},{"text":"of","start":3903.705,"end":3904.168},{"text":"undeclared","start":3904.168,"end":3904.632},{"text":"discrimination","start":3904.632,"end":3905.095},{"text":"in","start":3905.095,"end":3905.559},{"text":"administrative","start":3905.559,"end":3906.023},{"text":"relations","start":3906.023,"end":3906.486},{"text":"Project","start":3906.486,"end":3906.95},{"text":"Territorial","start":3906.95,"end":3907.413},{"text":"justice","start":3907.413,"end":3907.877},{"text":"and","start":3907.877,"end":3908.34},{"text":"Proximity,","start":3908.34,"end":3908.804},{"text":"intended","start":3908.804,"end":3909.268},{"text":"to","start":3909.268,"end":3909.731},{"text":"strengthen","start":3909.731,"end":3910.195},{"text":"administration","start":3910.195,"end":3910.658},{"text":"administrative","start":3910.658,"end":3911.122},{"text":"equity","start":3911.122,"end":3911.585},{"text":"for","start":3911.585,"end":3912.049},{"text":"vulnerable","start":3912.049,"end":3912.513},{"text":"population","start":3912.513,"end":3912.976},{"text":"and","start":3912.976,"end":3913.44},{"text":"underserved","start":3913.44,"end":3913.903},{"text":"territories","start":3913.903,"end":3914.367},{"text":"initiatives","start":3914.367,"end":3914.83},{"text":"promoting","start":3914.83,"end":3915.294},{"text":"equal","start":3915.294,"end":3915.758},{"text":"access","start":3915.758,"end":3916.221},{"text":"to","start":3916.221,"end":3916.685},{"text":"information","start":3916.685,"end":3917.148},{"text":"and","start":3917.148,"end":3917.612},{"text":"public","start":3917.612,"end":3918.075},{"text":"assistance","start":3918.075,"end":3918.539},{"text":"through","start":3918.539,"end":3919.003},{"text":"greater","start":3919.003,"end":3919.466},{"text":"transparency","start":3919.466,"end":3919.93},{"text":"and","start":3919.93,"end":3920.393},{"text":"administrative","start":3920.393,"end":3920.857},{"text":"accountability.","start":3920.857,"end":3921.32}]},{"text":"Furthermore, Morocco launched in 2025 the public service Governance Forums, a participatory initiative designed to involve youth, civil society experts and institutional stakeholders in discussions on improving governance and the quality of public services.","start":3921.32,"end":3937.082,"topics":[{"key":"rule-of-law","label":"Rule of Law and Checks and Balances","description":"Ombudsman institutions were widely described as part of the system of checks and balances that defends democracy, accountability and good governance. Speakers linked strong ombuds institutions to resisting democratic backsliding and strengthening public oversight of state power."}],"words":[{"text":"Furthermore,","start":3921.32,"end":3921.784},{"text":"Morocco","start":3921.784,"end":3922.248},{"text":"launched","start":3922.248,"end":3922.711},{"text":"in","start":3922.711,"end":3923.175},{"text":"2025","start":3923.175,"end":3923.638},{"text":"the","start":3923.638,"end":3924.102},{"text":"public","start":3924.102,"end":3924.566},{"text":"service","start":3924.566,"end":3925.029},{"text":"Governance","start":3925.029,"end":3925.493},{"text":"Forums,","start":3925.493,"end":3925.956},{"text":"a","start":3925.956,"end":3926.42},{"text":"participatory","start":3926.42,"end":3926.883},{"text":"initiative","start":3926.883,"end":3927.347},{"text":"designed","start":3927.347,"end":3927.811},{"text":"to","start":3927.811,"end":3928.274},{"text":"involve","start":3928.274,"end":3928.738},{"text":"youth,","start":3928.738,"end":3929.201},{"text":"civil","start":3929.201,"end":3929.665},{"text":"society","start":3929.665,"end":3930.128},{"text":"experts","start":3930.128,"end":3930.592},{"text":"and","start":3930.592,"end":3931.056},{"text":"institutional","start":3931.056,"end":3931.519},{"text":"stakeholders","start":3931.519,"end":3931.983},{"text":"in","start":3931.983,"end":3932.446},{"text":"discussions","start":3932.446,"end":3932.91},{"text":"on","start":3932.91,"end":3933.373},{"text":"improving","start":3933.373,"end":3933.837},{"text":"governance","start":3933.837,"end":3934.301},{"text":"and","start":3934.301,"end":3934.764},{"text":"the","start":3934.764,"end":3935.228},{"text":"quality","start":3935.228,"end":3935.691},{"text":"of","start":3935.691,"end":3936.155},{"text":"public","start":3936.155,"end":3936.618},{"text":"services.","start":3936.618,"end":3937.082}]},{"text":"For Lack of Time Just to conclude, At a time when ombudsman institutions face emerging challenges linked to digital transformation, artificial intelligence and increasing social expectation, it is essential to ensure that these institutions benefit from strong legal foundations, adequate resources and operational independence.","start":3937.082,"end":3957.479,"topics":[{"key":"digital-governance","label":"Digital Governance and Artificial Intelligence","description":"Several interventions addressed the growing impact of digital public services, automated decision-making and artificial intelligence on rights and accountability. Ombudsman institutions were seen as important monitors of these technologies and as advocates for safeguards against abuse and exclusion."},{"key":"legal-safeguards","label":"Legal and Constitutional Safeguards","description":"Many statements focused on the legal guarantees needed to secure ombudsman independence, including constitutional status, broad mandates, transparent merit-based appointments, security of tenure and functional immunity. These safeguards were described as necessary to prevent politicization and protect institutional continuity."},{"key":"institutional-resources","label":"Institutional Resources and Budgetary Autonomy","description":"Adequate funding, staffing and operational capacity were repeatedly identified as conditions for ombudsman effectiveness. Several speakers warned that budget cuts, austerity measures and weak infrastructure can undermine autonomy and limit outreach to vulnerable communities."},{"key":"ombudsman-independence","label":"Ombudsman Independence and Autonomy","description":"A central theme was the need to protect ombudsman institutions from political pressure, intimidation, reprisals and arbitrary interference. Participants stressed that independence in law and in practice is essential for credibility, public trust and effective oversight."}],"words":[{"text":"For","start":3937.082,"end":3937.546},{"text":"Lack","start":3937.546,"end":3938.009},{"text":"of","start":3938.009,"end":3938.473},{"text":"Time","start":3938.473,"end":3938.936},{"text":"Just","start":3938.936,"end":3939.4},{"text":"to","start":3939.4,"end":3939.863},{"text":"conclude,","start":3939.863,"end":3940.327},{"text":"At","start":3940.327,"end":3940.791},{"text":"a","start":3940.791,"end":3941.254},{"text":"time","start":3941.254,"end":3941.718},{"text":"when","start":3941.718,"end":3942.181},{"text":"ombudsman","start":3942.181,"end":3942.645},{"text":"institutions","start":3942.645,"end":3943.108},{"text":"face","start":3943.108,"end":3943.572},{"text":"emerging","start":3943.572,"end":3944.036},{"text":"challenges","start":3944.036,"end":3944.499},{"text":"linked","start":3944.499,"end":3944.963},{"text":"to","start":3944.963,"end":3945.426},{"text":"digital","start":3945.426,"end":3945.89},{"text":"transformation,","start":3945.89,"end":3946.353},{"text":"artificial","start":3946.353,"end":3946.817},{"text":"intelligence","start":3946.817,"end":3947.281},{"text":"and","start":3947.281,"end":3947.744},{"text":"increasing","start":3947.744,"end":3948.208},{"text":"social","start":3948.208,"end":3948.671},{"text":"expectation,","start":3948.671,"end":3949.135},{"text":"it","start":3949.135,"end":3949.598},{"text":"is","start":3949.598,"end":3950.062},{"text":"essential","start":3950.062,"end":3950.526},{"text":"to","start":3950.526,"end":3950.989},{"text":"ensure","start":3950.989,"end":3951.453},{"text":"that","start":3951.453,"end":3951.916},{"text":"these","start":3951.916,"end":3952.38},{"text":"institutions","start":3952.38,"end":3952.843},{"text":"benefit","start":3952.843,"end":3953.307},{"text":"from","start":3953.307,"end":3953.771},{"text":"strong","start":3953.771,"end":3954.234},{"text":"legal","start":3954.234,"end":3954.698},{"text":"foundations,","start":3954.698,"end":3955.161},{"text":"adequate","start":3955.161,"end":3955.625},{"text":"resources","start":3955.625,"end":3956.089},{"text":"and","start":3956.089,"end":3956.552},{"text":"operational","start":3956.552,"end":3957.016},{"text":"independence.","start":3957.016,"end":3957.479}]},{"text":"Morocco reiterates its commitment to continuing efforts aimed at modernizing institutional mediation, strengthening good governance and promoting a citizen centered public administration guided by transparency, equity and accountability.","start":3957.479,"end":3970.459,"topics":[{"key":"rule-of-law","label":"Rule of Law and Checks and Balances","description":"Ombudsman institutions were widely described as part of the system of checks and balances that defends democracy, accountability and good governance. 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Israel.","start":4274.946,"end":4277.152,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"I","start":4274.946,"end":4275.261},{"text":"thank","start":4275.261,"end":4275.576},{"text":"the","start":4275.576,"end":4275.892},{"text":"distinguished","start":4275.892,"end":4276.207},{"text":"representative","start":4276.207,"end":4276.522},{"text":"of","start":4276.522,"end":4276.837},{"text":"Israel.","start":4276.837,"end":4277.152}]},{"text":"I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Czechia, followed by the Russian Federation and then Lithuania.","start":4277.152,"end":4283.14,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"I","start":4277.152,"end":4277.467},{"text":"now","start":4277.467,"end":4277.782},{"text":"give","start":4277.782,"end":4278.098},{"text":"the","start":4278.098,"end":4278.413},{"text":"floor","start":4278.413,"end":4278.728},{"text":"to","start":4278.728,"end":4279.043},{"text":"the","start":4279.043,"end":4279.358},{"text":"distinguished","start":4279.358,"end":4279.673},{"text":"representative","start":4279.673,"end":4279.988},{"text":"of","start":4279.988,"end":4280.304},{"text":"Czechia,","start":4280.304,"end":4280.619},{"text":"followed","start":4280.619,"end":4280.934},{"text":"by","start":4280.934,"end":4281.249},{"text":"the","start":4281.249,"end":4281.564},{"text":"Russian","start":4281.564,"end":4281.879},{"text":"Federation","start":4281.879,"end":4282.195},{"text":"and","start":4282.195,"end":4282.51},{"text":"then","start":4282.51,"end":4282.825},{"text":"Lithuania.","start":4282.825,"end":4283.14}]}]}],"speaker":{"name":"Anne Sioute","affiliation":"OHCHR","affiliation_full":"OHCHR","group":null,"function":"Chief"}},{"statement_number":25,"paragraphs":[{"sentences":[{"text":"Well, thank you, Madam Moderator.","start":4285.7,"end":4288.101,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Well,","start":4285.7,"end":4286.18},{"text":"thank","start":4286.18,"end":4286.66},{"text":"you,","start":4286.66,"end":4287.141},{"text":"Madam","start":4287.141,"end":4287.621},{"text":"Moderator.","start":4287.621,"end":4288.101}]},{"text":"First, let me thank all the panelists for their valuable insights.","start":4288.101,"end":4293.383,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"First,","start":4288.101,"end":4288.581},{"text":"let","start":4288.581,"end":4289.062},{"text":"me","start":4289.062,"end":4289.542},{"text":"thank","start":4289.542,"end":4290.022},{"text":"all","start":4290.022,"end":4290.502},{"text":"the","start":4290.502,"end":4290.982},{"text":"panelists","start":4290.982,"end":4291.463},{"text":"for","start":4291.463,"end":4291.943},{"text":"their","start":4291.943,"end":4292.423},{"text":"valuable","start":4292.423,"end":4292.903},{"text":"insights.","start":4292.903,"end":4293.383}]},{"text":"The Czech Republic welcomes this opportunity to reflect on the positive steps we have taken to strengthen the institution of the Ombudsman and to further align the national framework with the Venice Principles.","start":4293.383,"end":4309.231,"topics":[{"key":"venice-paris-framework","label":"Venice and Paris Principles Framework","description":"Speakers repeatedly discussed the 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These safeguards were described as necessary to prevent politicization and protect institutional continuity."}],"words":[{"text":"The","start":4293.383,"end":4293.864},{"text":"Czech","start":4293.864,"end":4294.344},{"text":"Republic","start":4294.344,"end":4294.824},{"text":"welcomes","start":4294.824,"end":4295.304},{"text":"this","start":4295.304,"end":4295.785},{"text":"opportunity","start":4295.785,"end":4296.265},{"text":"to","start":4296.265,"end":4296.745},{"text":"reflect","start":4296.745,"end":4297.225},{"text":"on","start":4297.225,"end":4297.705},{"text":"the","start":4297.705,"end":4298.186},{"text":"positive","start":4298.186,"end":4298.666},{"text":"steps","start":4298.666,"end":4299.146},{"text":"we","start":4299.146,"end":4299.626},{"text":"have","start":4299.626,"end":4300.107},{"text":"taken","start":4300.107,"end":4300.587},{"text":"to","start":4300.587,"end":4301.067},{"text":"strengthen","start":4301.067,"end":4301.547},{"text":"the","start":4301.547,"end":4302.027},{"text":"institution","start":4302.027,"end":4302.508},{"text":"of","start":4302.508,"end":4302.988},{"text":"the","start":4302.988,"end":4303.468},{"text":"Ombudsman","start":4303.468,"end":4303.948},{"text":"and","start":4303.948,"end":4304.429},{"text":"to","start":4304.429,"end":4304.909},{"text":"further","start":4304.909,"end":4305.389},{"text":"align","start":4305.389,"end":4305.869},{"text":"the","start":4305.869,"end":4306.349},{"text":"national","start":4306.349,"end":4306.83},{"text":"framework","start":4306.83,"end":4307.31},{"text":"with","start":4307.31,"end":4307.79},{"text":"the","start":4307.79,"end":4308.27},{"text":"Venice","start":4308.27,"end":4308.75},{"text":"Principles.","start":4308.75,"end":4309.231}]},{"text":"The Czech Republic remains firmly committed to the continuous strengthening of its human rights framework.","start":4309.231,"end":4316.434,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"The","start":4309.231,"end":4309.711},{"text":"Czech","start":4309.711,"end":4310.191},{"text":"Republic","start":4310.191,"end":4310.671},{"text":"remains","start":4310.671,"end":4311.152},{"text":"firmly","start":4311.152,"end":4311.632},{"text":"committed","start":4311.632,"end":4312.112},{"text":"to","start":4312.112,"end":4312.592},{"text":"the","start":4312.592,"end":4313.072},{"text":"continuous","start":4313.072,"end":4313.553},{"text":"strengthening","start":4313.553,"end":4314.033},{"text":"of","start":4314.033,"end":4314.513},{"text":"its","start":4314.513,"end":4314.993},{"text":"human","start":4314.993,"end":4315.474},{"text":"rights","start":4315.474,"end":4315.954},{"text":"framework.","start":4315.954,"end":4316.434}]},{"text":"We have taken a proactive approach to addressing legal and and institutional challenges identified in this field.","start":4316.434,"end":4324.598,"topics":[{"key":"legal-safeguards","label":"Legal and Constitutional Safeguards","description":"Many statements focused on the legal guarantees needed to secure ombudsman independence, including constitutional status, broad mandates, transparent merit-based appointments, security of tenure and functional immunity. 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They were presented both as legal benchmarks and as practical tools for implementation and evaluation."}],"words":[{"text":"This","start":4721.331,"end":4721.773},{"text":"is","start":4721.773,"end":4722.214},{"text":"precisely","start":4722.214,"end":4722.655},{"text":"why","start":4722.655,"end":4723.097},{"text":"the","start":4723.097,"end":4723.538},{"text":"Venice","start":4723.538,"end":4723.98},{"text":"Principles","start":4723.98,"end":4724.421},{"text":"are","start":4724.421,"end":4724.863},{"text":"so","start":4724.863,"end":4725.304},{"text":"important.","start":4725.304,"end":4725.745}]},{"text":"They provide a clear international framework for protecting ombudsperson institutions from undue influence.","start":4725.745,"end":4731.484,"topics":[{"key":"ombudsman-independence","label":"Ombudsman Independence and Autonomy","description":"A central theme was the need to protect ombudsman institutions from political pressure, intimidation, reprisals and arbitrary interference. 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They also highlighted their importance for protecting vulnerable groups, human rights defenders and people affected by conflict, displacement or discrimination."}],"words":[{"text":"The","start":4749.142,"end":4749.583},{"text":"Office","start":4749.583,"end":4750.024},{"text":"examines","start":4750.024,"end":4750.466},{"text":"complaints,","start":4750.466,"end":4750.907},{"text":"conducts","start":4750.907,"end":4751.349},{"text":"initiative","start":4751.349,"end":4751.79},{"text":"investigations,","start":4751.79,"end":4752.232},{"text":"issues,","start":4752.232,"end":4752.673},{"text":"recommendations,","start":4752.673,"end":4753.114},{"text":"and","start":4753.114,"end":4753.556},{"text":"promotes","start":4753.556,"end":4753.997},{"text":"better","start":4753.997,"end":4754.439},{"text":"administrative","start":4754.439,"end":4754.88},{"text":"practice","start":4754.88,"end":4755.322},{"text":"across","start":4755.322,"end":4755.763},{"text":"public","start":4755.763,"end":4756.205},{"text":"institutions.","start":4756.205,"end":4756.646}]},{"text":"Second, as a national human rights institution reaccredited with a status under the Paris Principles, the Office addresses issues of systemic human rights concern.","start":4756.646,"end":4767.24,"topics":[{"key":"venice-paris-framework","label":"Venice and Paris Principles Framework","description":"Speakers repeatedly discussed the Venice Principles and Paris Principles as complementary international standards for designing, assessing and protecting ombudsman and national human rights institutions. 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They also highlighted their importance for protecting vulnerable groups, human rights defenders and people affected by conflict, displacement or discrimination."}],"words":[{"text":"These","start":4767.24,"end":4767.682},{"text":"include","start":4767.682,"end":4768.123},{"text":"freedom","start":4768.123,"end":4768.565},{"text":"of","start":4768.565,"end":4769.006},{"text":"assembly,","start":4769.006,"end":4769.448},{"text":"detention","start":4769.448,"end":4769.889},{"text":"conditions,","start":4769.889,"end":4770.33},{"text":"the","start":4770.33,"end":4770.772},{"text":"rights","start":4770.772,"end":4771.213},{"text":"of","start":4771.213,"end":4771.655},{"text":"persons","start":4771.655,"end":4772.096},{"text":"with","start":4772.096,"end":4772.538},{"text":"disabilities,","start":4772.538,"end":4772.979},{"text":"asylum","start":4772.979,"end":4773.42},{"text":"procedures,","start":4773.42,"end":4773.862},{"text":"and","start":4773.862,"end":4774.303},{"text":"public","start":4774.303,"end":4774.745},{"text":"participation","start":4774.745,"end":4775.186},{"text":"and","start":4775.186,"end":4775.628},{"text":"decision","start":4775.628,"end":4776.069},{"text":"making.","start":4776.069,"end":4776.511}]},{"text":"Third, as national preventive mechanism under opcad, the Office regularly monitors places of deprivation of liberty, including prisons, psychiatric institutions, social care homes, infectious disease facilities, and detection of accommodation centers for foreigners.","start":4776.511,"end":4791.078,"topics":[{"key":"access-to-justice","label":"Human Rights Protection and Access to Justice","description":"Participants emphasized the role of ombudsman institutions in addressing maladministration, investigating complaints and providing accessible remedies outside the courts. 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Participants stressed that independence in law and in practice is essential for credibility, public trust and effective oversight."}],"words":[{"text":"Emerging","start":5167.611,"end":5168.077},{"text":"challenges,","start":5168.077,"end":5168.543},{"text":"including","start":5168.543,"end":5169.008},{"text":"artificial","start":5169.008,"end":5169.474},{"text":"intelligence,","start":5169.474,"end":5169.94},{"text":"digital","start":5169.94,"end":5170.405},{"text":"governance","start":5170.405,"end":5170.871},{"text":"and","start":5170.871,"end":5171.337},{"text":"global","start":5171.337,"end":5171.802},{"text":"crisis,","start":5171.802,"end":5172.268},{"text":"further","start":5172.268,"end":5172.734},{"text":"highlight","start":5172.734,"end":5173.199},{"text":"the","start":5173.199,"end":5173.665},{"text":"need","start":5173.665,"end":5174.131},{"text":"for","start":5174.131,"end":5174.596},{"text":"strong","start":5174.596,"end":5175.062},{"text":"and","start":5175.062,"end":5175.528},{"text":"independent","start":5175.528,"end":5175.993},{"text":"ombudsman","start":5175.993,"end":5176.459},{"text":"institutions","start":5176.459,"end":5176.925},{"text":"capable","start":5176.925,"end":5177.39},{"text":"of","start":5177.39,"end":5177.856},{"text":"protecting","start":5177.856,"end":5178.322},{"text":"rights","start":5178.322,"end":5178.787},{"text":"and","start":5178.787,"end":5179.253},{"text":"ensuring","start":5179.253,"end":5179.719},{"text":"accountability","start":5179.719,"end":5180.184},{"text":"in","start":5180.184,"end":5180.65},{"text":"rapidly","start":5180.65,"end":5181.116},{"text":"evolving","start":5181.116,"end":5181.581},{"text":"context.","start":5181.581,"end":5182.047}]},{"text":"Strong independent and effective ombudsman institutions are therefore indispensable for democracy, resilience, human rights protection and good governance.","start":5182.047,"end":5190.429,"topics":[{"key":"rule-of-law","label":"Rule of Law and Checks and Balances","description":"Ombudsman institutions were widely described as part of the system of checks and balances that defends democracy, accountability and good governance. 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institution, stands as a strong example of compliance with the Awareness Principles.","start":5689.596,"end":5697.607,"topics":[{"key":"venice-paris-framework","label":"Venice and Paris Principles Framework","description":"Speakers repeatedly discussed the Venice Principles and Paris Principles as complementary international standards for designing, assessing and protecting ombudsman and national human rights institutions. 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The Kyrgyz Republic remains firmly committed to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms as a cornerstone of a democratic and rule based state.","start":5847.71,"end":5864.964,"topics":[{"key":"rule-of-law","label":"Rule of Law and Checks and Balances","description":"Ombudsman institutions were widely described as part of the system of checks and balances that defends democracy, accountability and good governance. 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These safeguards were described as necessary to prevent politicization and protect institutional continuity."}],"words":[{"text":"This","start":5864.964,"end":5865.52},{"text":"commitment","start":5865.52,"end":5866.077},{"text":"is","start":5866.077,"end":5866.633},{"text":"enshrined","start":5866.633,"end":5867.19},{"text":"in","start":5867.19,"end":5867.746},{"text":"our","start":5867.746,"end":5868.303},{"text":"constitution","start":5868.303,"end":5868.86},{"text":"which","start":5868.86,"end":5869.416},{"text":"recognizes","start":5869.416,"end":5869.973},{"text":"human","start":5869.973,"end":5870.529},{"text":"rights","start":5870.529,"end":5871.086},{"text":"and","start":5871.086,"end":5871.642},{"text":"freedoms","start":5871.642,"end":5872.199},{"text":"as","start":5872.199,"end":5872.756},{"text":"the","start":5872.756,"end":5873.312},{"text":"highest","start":5873.312,"end":5873.869},{"text":"values","start":5873.869,"end":5874.425},{"text":"guiding","start":5874.425,"end":5874.982},{"text":"the","start":5874.982,"end":5875.538},{"text":"activity","start":5875.538,"end":5876.095},{"text":"of","start":5876.095,"end":5876.652},{"text":"the","start":5876.652,"end":5877.208},{"text":"state.","start":5877.208,"end":5877.765}]},{"text":"Kyrgyzstan now is a party to eight out of the nine core international human rights treaties and continues to implement its international obligations aimed at strengthening the rule of law, improving national human rights mechanisms and ensuring accountability of public institutions.","start":5877.765,"end":5900.584,"topics":[{"key":"rule-of-law","label":"Rule of Law and Checks and Balances","description":"Ombudsman institutions were widely described as part of the system of checks and balances that defends democracy, accountability and good governance. 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Mayung, you have the floor.","start":6211.863,"end":6213.94,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Ms.","start":6211.863,"end":6212.209},{"text":"Mayung,","start":6212.209,"end":6212.555},{"text":"you","start":6212.555,"end":6212.902},{"text":"have","start":6212.902,"end":6213.248},{"text":"the","start":6213.248,"end":6213.594},{"text":"floor.","start":6213.594,"end":6213.94}]}]}],"speaker":{"name":"Anne Sioute","affiliation":"OHCHR","affiliation_full":"OHCHR","group":null,"function":"Chief"}},{"statement_number":47,"paragraphs":[{"sentences":[{"text":"Thank you, Madam Moderator.","start":6219.78,"end":6221.537,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Thank","start":6219.78,"end":6220.219},{"text":"you,","start":6220.219,"end":6220.659},{"text":"Madam","start":6220.659,"end":6221.098},{"text":"Moderator.","start":6221.098,"end":6221.537}]},{"text":"Once again I want to say that we heard perspectives from all continents during this exchange and that they confirm essential 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like to share with you three convictions that that I have come to first of all, conformity with the Venice Principles is not an issue of institutional 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in the international context we live in is a time when we cannot postpone this decision.","start":6281.721,"end":6289.189,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Secondly,","start":6281.721,"end":6282.16},{"text":"in","start":6282.16,"end":6282.599},{"text":"the","start":6282.599,"end":6283.039},{"text":"international","start":6283.039,"end":6283.478},{"text":"context","start":6283.478,"end":6283.917},{"text":"we","start":6283.917,"end":6284.356},{"text":"live","start":6284.356,"end":6284.796},{"text":"in","start":6284.796,"end":6285.235},{"text":"is","start":6285.235,"end":6285.674},{"text":"a","start":6285.674,"end":6286.114},{"text":"time","start":6286.114,"end":6286.553},{"text":"when","start":6286.553,"end":6286.992},{"text":"we","start":6286.992,"end":6287.432},{"text":"cannot","start":6287.432,"end":6287.871},{"text":"postpone","start":6287.871,"end":6288.31},{"text":"this","start":6288.31,"end":6288.749},{"text":"decision.","start":6288.749,"end":6289.189}]},{"text":"Democracies are under pressure, oversight institutions are fragile, civic space is shrinking and yet all around the World citizens continue to believe that somewhere there is an institution that will hear them, that will investigate without further fear, that will speak without asking for 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belief, which is fragile, precious and essential, cannot survive without the active commitment of states that have created this 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the international community now has all the necessary elements to move to the next stage.","start":6318.182,"end":6325.211,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"Thirdly,","start":6318.182,"end":6318.622},{"text":"the","start":6318.622,"end":6319.061},{"text":"international","start":6319.061,"end":6319.5},{"text":"community","start":6319.5,"end":6319.939},{"text":"now","start":6319.939,"end":6320.379},{"text":"has","start":6320.379,"end":6320.818},{"text":"all","start":6320.818,"end":6321.257},{"text":"the","start":6321.257,"end":6321.697},{"text":"necessary","start":6321.697,"end":6322.136},{"text":"elements","start":6322.136,"end":6322.575},{"text":"to","start":6322.575,"end":6323.015},{"text":"move","start":6323.015,"end":6323.454},{"text":"to","start":6323.454,"end":6323.893},{"text":"the","start":6323.893,"end":6324.332},{"text":"next","start":6324.332,"end":6324.772},{"text":"stage.","start":6324.772,"end":6325.211}]},{"text":"The the normative framework exists, the Venice 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Participants stressed that independence in law and in practice is essential for credibility, public trust and effective oversight."}],"words":[{"text":"As","start":6715.697,"end":6716.046},{"text":"the","start":6716.046,"end":6716.394},{"text":"President","start":6716.394,"end":6716.743},{"text":"of","start":6716.743,"end":6717.091},{"text":"the","start":6717.091,"end":6717.44},{"text":"General","start":6717.44,"end":6717.788},{"text":"assembly","start":6717.788,"end":6718.137},{"text":"stated","start":6718.137,"end":6718.485},{"text":"earlier,","start":6718.485,"end":6718.833},{"text":"strengthening","start":6718.833,"end":6719.182},{"text":"Ombudsman","start":6719.182,"end":6719.53},{"text":"and","start":6719.53,"end":6719.879},{"text":"mediator","start":6719.879,"end":6720.227},{"text":"institutions","start":6720.227,"end":6720.576},{"text":"is","start":6720.576,"end":6720.924},{"text":"ultimately","start":6720.924,"end":6721.273},{"text":"a","start":6721.273,"end":6721.621},{"text":"commitment","start":6721.621,"end":6721.97},{"text":"to","start":6721.97,"end":6722.318},{"text":"people,","start":6722.318,"end":6722.666},{"text":"and","start":6722.666,"end":6723.015},{"text":"the","start":6723.015,"end":6723.363},{"text":"Venice","start":6723.363,"end":6723.712},{"text":"Principle","start":6723.712,"end":6724.06},{"text":"should","start":6724.06,"end":6724.409},{"text":"be","start":6724.409,"end":6724.757},{"text":"a","start":6724.757,"end":6725.106},{"text":"guide","start":6725.106,"end":6725.454},{"text":"for","start":6725.454,"end":6725.803},{"text":"action","start":6725.803,"end":6726.151},{"text":"to","start":6726.151,"end":6726.499},{"text":"that","start":6726.499,"end":6726.848},{"text":"end,","start":6726.848,"end":6727.196},{"text":"ensuring","start":6727.196,"end":6727.545},{"text":"that","start":6727.545,"end":6727.893},{"text":"they","start":6727.893,"end":6728.242},{"text":"can","start":6728.242,"end":6728.59},{"text":"serve","start":6728.59,"end":6728.939},{"text":"the","start":6728.939,"end":6729.287},{"text":"public","start":6729.287,"end":6729.636},{"text":"with","start":6729.636,"end":6729.984},{"text":"integrity,","start":6729.984,"end":6730.332},{"text":"impartiality","start":6730.332,"end":6730.681},{"text":"and","start":6730.681,"end":6731.029},{"text":"courage.","start":6731.029,"end":6731.378}]},{"text":"I thank you very much for your active participation during this afternoon's panel discussion.","start":6731.378,"end":6736.256,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"I","start":6731.378,"end":6731.726},{"text":"thank","start":6731.726,"end":6732.075},{"text":"you","start":6732.075,"end":6732.423},{"text":"very","start":6732.423,"end":6732.772},{"text":"much","start":6732.772,"end":6733.12},{"text":"for","start":6733.12,"end":6733.469},{"text":"your","start":6733.469,"end":6733.817},{"text":"active","start":6733.817,"end":6734.165},{"text":"participation","start":6734.165,"end":6734.514},{"text":"during","start":6734.514,"end":6734.862},{"text":"this","start":6734.862,"end":6735.211},{"text":"afternoon's","start":6735.211,"end":6735.559},{"text":"panel","start":6735.559,"end":6735.908},{"text":"discussion.","start":6735.908,"end":6736.256}]},{"text":"The meeting is adjourned.","start":6736.256,"end":6737.65,"topics":[],"words":[{"text":"The","start":6736.256,"end":6736.605},{"text":"meeting","start":6736.605,"end":6736.953},{"text":"is","start":6736.953,"end":6737.302},{"text":"adjourned.","start":6737.302,"end":6737.65}]}]}],"speaker":{"name":"Anne Sioute","affiliation":"OHCHR","affiliation_full":"OHCHR","group":null,"function":"Chief"}}],"topics":[{"key":"sdg-16","label":"SDG 16 Implementation","description":"Multiple speakers connected ombudsman work directly to Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions. 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