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                        Jan Feb Apr May June Sep Oct Nov

In January, senior investigators Dimitris Christopoulos and Marios Protopapas, during a short mission to Belgrade, held a series of preparatory meetings with officials from the Serbian Ministry of Justice and representatives from the OSCE missions in Belgrade and Sarajevo. These meetings aimed to provide essential information in order to organize a series of study visits to Athens of representatives from the Serbian Ombudsman law drafting committee and staff members from the Ombudsman of 'Republica Serpska' of Bosnia Herzegovina.

Also in January, following an invitation by the Human Rights Directorate of the Council of Europe, senior investigator Dimitris Christopoulos attended a coordination meeting of the informal group steering the implementation of the Stability Pact project related to the Ombudsman-type institutions in Southeastern Europe. The objective of the meeting held in Strasbourg, was to present the developments regarding the funding of the project's activities and to further discuss the priorities and methodology issues related to the project at hand.

Between 12 - 14 February the Greek Ombudsman hosted a study visit of the Deputy Minister of Justice of the Yugoslav Republic of Serbia, Mr. Ivica Ezdenci. Mr. Ezdenci, who is a member of the Serbian Ombudsman law drafting committee, received first hand experience of a working ombudsman institution and had the opportunity to discuss the wide range of issues that arise in the drafting of an ombudsman law. For that purpose, the Greek Ombudsman organized meetings with competent members of the respective committee which drafted the Greek Ombudsman law. In addition, the Greek Ombudsman staff presented the Greek institution's day-to-day practices and functions.

Between 11-13 April, an Albanian Ombudsman delegation was received, in return to the visit of the Greek Ombudsman in Tirana, on 27 and 28 November 2001. Beside the Albanian Ombudsman, Mr. Dobjiani, the delegation consisted of the Deputy Ombudsman on Women and Childrens Issues, Ms. Florina Nuni, the Secretary General, Mr. Gezim Lleshi, the Chief of Cabinet, Mr. Artur Lazebeu, the Director of International Relations, Ms.Anila Shyti, an Albanian press delegate and 4 members of the Albanian Ombudsman staff. The issue that pervaded the discussions during the visit was the relationship of the Albanian immigrants with the state authorities in Greece. Following thorough discussions on a Greek Ombudsman's set of proposals, both ombudsmen reached a common decision to establish a permanent link (hot-line) between the two institutions in order to meet with efficiency the Albanian immigrants needs for rights protection. Emphasis was given to the protection of minors. Deputy Ombudsman on Human Rights, Prof. George Kaminis, and Deputy Ombudsman on women and children issues, Ms. Florina Nuni, were designated as liaison officers in the respective Greek and Albanian institutions. Finally the Albanian Ombudsman had meetings with the Greek Deputy Minister of Interior, Mr. Stavros Benos and the General Secretary of the Ministry of Public Order, Mr. Dimitris Efstathiadis, in which there were discussion on the possibilities of bilateral cooperation on issues of common interest.

Between 17-22 May the Greek Ombudsman hosted a Training Workshop for the Assistant Ombudsmen of the Republica Srpska (RS) entity of Bosnia - Herzegovina. The 5 members of the RS Ombudsman delegation were acquainted with the experiences of the Greek Ombudsman as regards organization and office management. The focus of the workshop sessions were issues regarding: a) Case handling, b) Ombudsman institutional role, models of mandate and mediation, policies, c) Human Resources and management, coordination models, and d) administrative department issues.

Between 24-27 June a delegation of the Romanian People’s Advocate (Romanian Ombudsman institution) was received in the office of the Greek Ombudsman on a study visit. The Ombudsman, Mr. Ioan Muraru, was accompanied in this visit by the Deputy Ombudsman Mr. Gheorghe Iancu and the experts, Ms. Raluca Albu and Ms. Simina Popescu. Apart from a review of the Greek Ombudsman’s institutional work and functions, the visit aimed to clarify the particulars of a joint training project (twinning - PHARE), which shall be carried out with the funding of the EU.

On 16 and 17 September, the Greek Ombudsman, Prof. Nikiforos Diamandouros and senior investigator Dimitris Christopoulos participated at a preliminary meeting and a roundtable held in Podgorica of Montenegro. The events, aimed to provide a forum for discussion on the proposed model of an Ombudsman institution for Montenegro among various actors including Montenegrin governmental representatives, legal experts, NGO’s and international organizations. The Greek Ombudsman contributed to the proceedings with a presentation by Prof. Diamandouros on the functions of the Ombudsman and with a legal expertise on the Montenegrin Ombudsman draft law, which was prepared by senior investigators Chrysa Hatzi and Christos Tsaitouridis. The expertise was included in a collective legal expertise, which was presented to the Montenegrin authorities.

Between 18-22 September, senior investigators Andreas Takis, Kostas Antoniadis and Nikos Vittis visited the office of the Albanian People’s Advocate in Tirana. The event aimed to study the computerized case handling procedure and the possible functional difficulties or the general training needs of the Albanian institution. Moreover the visit reaffirmed the cooperation links between the two ombudsman institutions in Human Rights affairs, with emphasis on issues concerning the welfare of women and children.

During the period September 29 – October 3, the Greek Ombudsman dispatched to Bosnia and Herzegovina senior investigators Christos Tsaitouridis and Nikos Vittis, as well as ‘Eunomia’s project officer, Dimitris Hormovitis. A series of work meetings took place in Banja Luka and Sarajevo with representatives from OSCE and the corresponding entity Ombudsmen institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The goal was to coordinate the Greek Ombudsman activities with those of the international community towards strengthening the work of Ombudsmen in the region. As a result of the meetings, a series of activities in the framework of the Eunomia project were agreed and put on track.

Between 17-20 October, the Eunomia project administrator had meetings in Sofia with the heads of the Law Programme of the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD), a local NGO which is one of the main supporters for the creation of a national Ombudsman institution in Bulgaria. The main aim of the contact was to exchange information and coordinate activities regarding the establishment of the Ombudsman institution in Bulgaria. Mr. Hormovitis also attended the proceedings of the international anti-corruption seminar organized by the CSD.

Between 20-22 November, the Greek Ombudsman, in the framework of Eunomia project, invited to Athens a delegation from the Ombudsman institutions of the two entities of Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH). The BiH representatives attended the meeting of the Athens Ombudsman Network for the Protection of the Environment (ANPE), which is a project supported by the EU. The Ombudsman of Republika Srpska of BiH, Ms. Branka Kollar Mijatovic and the Deputy Ombudsman of the Federation of BiH, Mr. Zlatko Ilic, composed the BiH delegation.