Interview with Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights

The Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr Niels Muižnieks, a key player in the dialogue between the Council of Europe and national ombudsmen and mediators, began his visit to the Principality by meeting the Monegasque High Commissioner at her office on 18 January.

Asked about the operation of the new, independent mechanism for protecting rights and mediation, which was set up in 2014, the High Commissioner gave an initial review of her activities and outlined what had been achieved over the last three years to make this new entity part of the Monegasque institutional landscape and ensure that the High Commissioner’s role is well understood by both the public and government departments. In particular, the High Commissioner welcomed the fact that, with the agreement of the authorities, the institution had recently increased its staff with the arrival of a new team member at the beginning of January to help deal with the Office’s increase in activity and establish the conditions needed to properly fulfil its various roles.

In addition to questions directly linked to the institution’s relationship with the administrative authorities and to the extent of its areas of competence, several subjects were discussed such as the inclusion of people with disabilities in society, the protection of children’s rights and the legal framework for combating discrimination.