First visit of the Monegasque High Commissioner to Strasbourg

On 22 and 23 May this year, Anne Eastwood travelled to Strasbourg for her first formal engagement as High Commissioner for the Protection of Rights, Liberties and for Mediation, attending an international seminar at the Council of Europe.

This annual seminar, now in its 20th year, is organised by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI). It is an opportunity for national specialised bodies for anti-discrimination from all 47 member States of the Council of Europe to discuss local efforts to combat racism and intolerance.

Monaco was represented at the seminar for the first time by its new national institution with responsibility for handling complaints from persons who believe they have been the victim of unjustified discrimination, signalling the Principality's commitment to this important human rights issue.

At this meeting, the Monegasque High Commissioner met with her peers from other European countries for the first time. She also took the opportunity to present the new institution to the Council of Europe institutions and to explain the Principality's decision to create its own Ombudsman, at the initiative of H.S.H. Prince Albert II.

As well as attending the seminar, Mrs Eastwood also visited the European Court of Human Rights, where she held a meeting with Isabelle Berro-Lefèvre, Monaco's representative Judge at the court since 2006.