A/HRC/7/69 page 33 Annex V SUPPORT AND OBSTACLES TO THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS; COOPERATION BETWEEN OMBUDSMAN INSTITUTIONS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, MEDIA AND CIVIL SOCIETY REGIONAL OMBUDSMAN CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE OMBUDSPERSON INSTITUTION IN KOSOVO WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE US OFFICE IN PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA AND THE OSCE 8-9 June 2007, Grand Hotel, Prishtinë/Priština, Kosovo Joint recommendations • Representatives of ombudsman institutions and international organizations meeting in Prishtinë/Priština discussed ways in which ombudsman institutions can cooperate with the public administration, media and civil society for the realization of human rights. • Ombudsman institutions will be most effective in the promotion and protection of human rights if, at a minimum, they are in full compliance with the Paris Principles. • Participants recognized that maladministration and poor quality of public administration staff - including a lack of human rights training - have an adverse effect on the follow-up of recommendations made by the ombudsman institutions. • Participants also recognized that ombudsman institutions should function independently from Parliament and that they have a mutually reinforcing and reciprocal relationship. • It was recognized that ombudsman institutions operating in transition or post-conflict situations face unique challenges, such as in awareness-raising, investigation, the provision of advice, and reconciliation. They play a crucial role in the establishment of the rule of law, and are ideally placed to address the human rights concerns of minorities and other vulnerable groups. • Participants recognized that there are arguments for and against having a specialized ombudsman institution mandated to deal with specific human rights issues such as minority rights. On the one hand, it may contribute to public confusion, contradictions and overlap in mandates, or a weakening of the national ombudsman institution. On the other hand, a specialized institution would allow for specific expertise and authority in addressing certain human rights issues. In any case, taking either direction is crucial for the protection of human rights. • It was recognized that ombudsman institutions form a crucial part of a national human rights protection system, which also includes an independent judiciary, the proper administration of justice, a representative national parliament and a strong and dynamic civil society. Effective cooperation between these elements is indispensable in establishing and strengthening the rule of law, protecting human rights, and fighting impunity and corruption.