TIRANA, June 12 – Albania’s Ombudsman, Endrit Shabani, met officials at the U.S. Department of State this week. He held talks with the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, which prepares the annual U.S. human rights reports.
The participants discussed stronger cooperation on human rights, independent monitoring, and the rule of law.
Meanwhile, Shabani travelled to United Nations headquarters in New York. Organizers invited him to speak at a high-level international forum on human rights during the 19th Conference of States Parties to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
During his address, Shabani called for the removal of barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from exercising their rights. He identified voting rights as a key issue. He said societies must allow persons with disabilities to participate as equals in public life.
In addition, Shabani stressed the role of independent institutions. He said they should serve as a bridge between social programmes and public policies. He added that such institutions should bring citizens’ concerns directly to forums that shape international standards.
At the same time, the Ombudsman’s Office said it will continue cooperation with international partners. The institution said it remains committed to its constitutional mandate of protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
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