As part of the event “Connecting Local Communities with EU Institutions in the Protection of EU Values”, a panel discussion on the role of ombudsperson institutions was held in Medulin on 14 May 2024, with the participation of Deputy Ombudsperson Dijana Kesonja.
On this occasion, Deputy Kesonja gave a detailed overview of the mandates of the Ombudsperson’s Office and the ways it cooperates with civil society organisations, particularly highlighting the Human Rights Council and the Network of Anti-Discrimination Contact Points coordinated by the Ombudsperson.
She also explained how complaints are handled—whether received directly or opened ex officio—the measures taken following investigations and confirmed human rights violations, field visits, and the recommendations issued to competent authorities through the Ombudsperson’s Report, with special emphasis on the chapter dedicated to human rights defenders.
The panel was part of a programme aimed at strengthening civil society capacities under the Impact4Values programme, implemented in Croatia and Slovenia by CNVOS (Slovenia), the Slagalica Foundation, and the Solidarna Foundation (Croatia). Alongside Deputy Kesonja, representatives of specialised ombudsperson institutions and other civil society organisations also took part.