The “Role of Ombudsman Institutions in Protecting Human Rights and Strengthening Good Governance: Experience Sharing Forum Between the Balkans and Neighboring Countries” is being held in Istanbul, hosted by the Public Ombudsman Institution of Turkey in cooperation with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), with the participation of Ombudsmen and high-level representatives from across the Balkans and neighboring countries.
The forum opened with remarks by TİKA Deputy President Dr. Ali Ercan, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, and Chief Ombudsman Mehmet Akarca, who highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between Turkey and the Balkan and neighboring countries, and underscored the importance of regional cooperation in protecting human rights and strengthening good governance.
The two-day, five-session Forum features the participation of Turkish Public Ombudsmen Mr. Ertunç Erkan Balta, Mr. Abdullah Cengiz Makas, Mr. Özcan Yıldız, Mr. Şerif Yılmaz, and Secretary General Mr. Mehmet Doğan, alongside numerous guests.Session Highlights:
🔹 Session 1 — “Ombudsman Institutions and Human Rights Institutions as a Bridge of Trust Between Citizens and the State”
Moderated by Mr. Abdullah Cengiz Makas, with speeches by Montenegro Ombudsman Mr. Sinisa Bjekovic, Kosovo Ombudsman Mr. Naim Qelaj, and Romania Ombudsman Ms. Renate Weber.
🔹 Session 2 — “Protection of the Rights of People Living in Hard-to-Reach and Rural Settlements”
Moderated by Prof. Dr. Ömer Faruk Gençkaya (Medipol University), with speeches by Bosnia-Herzegovina Ombudsman Ms. Jasminka Džumhur, Hungary Commissioner for Fundamental Rights Dr. Imre Juhasz, Serbia Ombudsman Mr. Zoran Pasalic, and North Macedonia Ombudsman Ms. Faton Seljami.🔹 Session 3 — “The Contribution of Ombudsman Institutions to the Dissemination of Good Governance Principles”
Moderated by Mr. Ertunç Erkan Balta, with speeches by Slovenian Deputy Ombudsman Dr. Jože Ruparčič, Bosnia-Herzegovina Human Rights Ombudsman Mr. Nevenko Vranješ, and Slovak Ombudsman Institution Legal Expert Ms. Barbora Lenka Pučková.
🔹 Session 4 — “Regional Common Problems and Challenges Faced by Ombudsman Institutions”
Moderated by Mr. Şerif Yılmaz, with speeches by Croatian Ombudsman Ms. Tena Šimonović Einwalter, Czech Deputy Ombudsman and Deputy Children’s Ombudsman Mr. Vit Alexander Schorm, and Chief Ombudsman Mehmet Akarca — who addressed regional challenges including migration, natural disasters, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence.
Reflecting on the significance of regional cooperation, Chief Ombudsman Akarca stated: “The common approaches we develop in the face of common problems will also support the protection of human rights and the strengthening of good governance in our region.”
