STUDY SESSION OF THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN TO THE KINGDOM OF SPAIN

15-17.10.2024, MADRID, KINGDOM OF SPAIN

A delegation from the office of the Ombudsman of the Republic of North Macedonia, led by the Ombudsman Mr. Naser Ziberi, together with representatives of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the United Nations office in Skopje and the United Nations Development Program—UNDP made a study visit to the office of the Ombudsman of the Kingdom of Spain from October 15 to 17. Within the framework of the visit, experiences were exchanged regarding the work of the two institutions, with an emphasis on the work in the area of environment-ecological justice. At the same time, both sides agreed that the right to live in a healthy environment, is a constitutionally guaranteed right and that the states must respect it, given the high degree of its importance. Also, the ways and opportunities presented by the office of the Ombudsman of Spain use them when working in ecology.

Within the framework of the visit, a meeting was held, and experiences from the non-governmental sector's cooperation with the Ombudsman's office in the area of environmental protection were presented. The work of the Directorate for the Protection of Human Rights, which operates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, was also presented.

The delegations exchanged experiences both in terms of the work and in other areas over which they are competent, it was also discussed about the ways of financing the institutions, while the need for complete financial independence was emphasized, to more effectively protect the rights of the citizens. Also, within the framework of the visit, they talked about the challenges that the institutions would face in the future.

Otherwise, the visit was realized within the framework of the project "Increasing the Role of the Ombudsman in Environmental Justice", financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and which the Office of the Ombudsman implements in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program - UNDP and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Skopje.