High-level conference with Ombudsperson Institutions and National Human Rights Institutions
On 13 March 2026, the second day of the “ON Forum”, the Council of Europe’s High-level Conference with Ombudsperson Institutions and National Human Rights Institutions, took place at the Court’s premises in Strasbourg.
In his opening remarks, the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, noted that the protection of the rule of law requires synergies among all democratic actors, adding that National Human Rights and Ombudsperson institutions are central to this endeavour.
He highlighted that National Human Rights and Ombudsperson institutions are crucial for the work of the Court: they act as powerful levers in implementing the principle of subsidiarity when addressing human rights violations; their unmatched understanding of the domestic context makes them legitimate and reliable contributors to the Court’s judicial work, particularly through third party interventions; and they play an essential role in the execution of the Court’s judgments.
The Registrar of the Court, Marialena Tsirli, also delivered opening remarks, highlighting the great importance the Court attaches to dialogue with external partners such as National Human Rights and Ombudsperson institutions. She stressed their role as “human rights defenders” in upholding the Convention and ensuring that its protections are truly embedded in the domestic context.
The high level conference also featured three sessions on the Court’s case-law on freedom of expression, with a particular focus on the role of National Human Rights Institutions and Ombudsperson Institutions; third party interventions before the Court and the role of National Human Rights Institutions and Ombudsperson Institutions; and the dissemination of the Court’s case-law, the execution of judgments, and the role of National Human Rights Institutions and Ombudsperson Institutions.
Diana Kovatcheva, judge elected in respect of Bulgaria and the Court’s judicial focal point on National Human Rights Institutions, assisted in the organisation of the event and contributed to the conference alongside Oddný Mjöll Arnardóttir, judge elected in respect of Iceland, Mykola Gnatovskyy, judge elected in respect of Ukraine, Vasilka Sancin, judge elected in respect of Slovenia, and John Darcy, Grand Chamber Registrar. This was the second edition of the Council of Europe’s “ON Forum”, which focuses on the vital role of Ombudspersons institutions and National Human Rights Institutions in protecting democracy.