A/HRC/7/69 page 36 25. Ombudsman institutions should play an educative role in the training and public awareness-raising of human rights issues in order to foster a culture of human rights understanding. 26. Ombudsman institutions should consider the investigation of issues related to the root causes of past conflicts and human rights violations as a priority. 27. Ombudsman institutions should issue recommendations to the Government on how to deal with human rights issues that were the cause or proximate cause of past conflicts. 28. Ombudsman institutions should pay particular attention to cases concerning persons in psychiatric institutions, particularly in a post-conflict environment. 29. Ombudsman institutions, especially those in conformity with the Paris Principles, should remind the Government of their unique position in fulfilling the role of a preventive mechanism, as envisaged under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. D. The role of the ombudsman in protecting the rights of minorities and other vulnerable groups 30. Ombudsman institutions should play an important role in objective mediation between all actors concerned and in the promotion of public debate. 31. Ombudsman institutions have an investigative and enforcement role through the handling of complaints (including between private parties), ex officio investigations, and the provision of legal aid and expert opinions. 32. Ombudsman institutions have a policy and legislative role through the provision of comments and proposed amendments on (draft) legislation, as well as the promotion of the ratification and implementation of international human rights standards. 33. Ombudsman institutions have an educative and information role through the conducting of awareness raising campaigns, promotion of public debate, publication and dissemination of reports, dissemination of international human rights standards, and the provision of training to public officials. 34. Ombudsman institutions should also consider raising public awareness and promoting social dialogue through the use of the media. 35. The ombudsman institution should cooperate, where possible, with civil society in educative and awareness-raising activities, the organization of seminars/roundtables on minority rights issues, and in receiving complaints through NGOs. E. The media’s cooperation with the ombudsman in combating nepotism and corruption 36. Ombudsman institutions should fight cases of nepotism and corruption in public institutions based upon sound and reliable information and, where appropriate, bring a situation to the attention of the public at large.