OSCE Mission to Serbia supports work of the Ombudsman in the area of children's rights

Human rights apply to every age group, but the protection and promotion of children's rights is a particularly sensitive field that requires focused efforts. That's why a special place is reserved for these issues on the agenda of the Serbian Protector of Citizens, the independent Ombudsman body working to protect the human rights of individuals in the country and to enhance the proper conduct of public administration.

The OSCE Mission to Serbia has actively supported the Protector of Citizens institution since its establishment in 2007, and is today closely collaborating with the Deputy Ombudsman Tamara Luksic-Orlandic, whose work is wholly dedicated to children's rights.

Among other things, the OSCE Mission to Serbia has sponsored the publication of two informative booklets, one for primary school children and one for high school pupils, entitled "Get to Know the Protector of Citizens".

The OSCE Mission to Serbia has also facilitated the exchange of expertise between the Serbian Ombudsman institution and other European institutions, such as the Catalan Ombudsman, and is supporting a project for the creation of a website of the Serbian Protector of Citizens dedicated to children, to be launched soon.

In this interview, Chiara Longhi of the OSCE Mission's Rule of Law Department talks with Ms. Luksic-Orlandic about activities that are ongoing or planned for the present year, which sees the celebration of 20 years of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

OSCE: Could you outline the work of the Ombudsman Office in support of children's rights?

Luksic-Orlandic: My work is to monitor the situation of children's rights in Serbia and to alert the competent bodies whenever we see that these rights are not respected.

The Ombudsman acts in response to complaints received in written form, but can also initiate a control independently.

We have the authority to monitor any institution that hosts children, such as shelters for children without parental care or shelters for children with disabilities. Sometimes we visit those places after we are informed about rights  violations through media or non-governmental organizations.

An important function of the Ombudsman is to be a proponent of the modification of existing laws regarding children. Both of these aspects of our work are very important: reacting quickly and being pro-active.

OSCE: 2009 sees the celebration of 20 years of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. What activities have been planned for this year?

Luksic-Orlandic: The anniversary of the adoption of the Convention by the UN General Assembly in November 1989 is an important occurrence. In order to give it more visibility, we hope that the Government, following our proposal, will issue a special postal stamp whose proceeds will be used to support shelters for street children in Belgrade, Nis and Novi Sad.

In the last part of the year, we will organize a conference on children's rights in Serbia. The topic will be our initiative for the adoption of a comprehensive law on children prepared by a special working group formed by the Protector of Citizens.

OSCE: What is the goal of the publication and distribution of the booklet "Get to know the Protector of Citizens"?

Luksic-Orlandic: The publication, which is also available in electronic form on our website, explains when a child can ask the Ombudsman for help and how.

At present, children rarely come to us directly, and complaints are usually addressed by parents. This is understandable, but we are trying to encourage children, particularly those older than 12, to contact us directly. The booklet is part of this project.

Many copies were already delivered in the city squares on 9 May of this year on the occasion of the Day of Europe, but a broader and more organized distribution is going to be organized with the support of the Ministry of Education.

OSCE: What type of complaint is most often addressed to the Protector of Citizens in the area of children's rights?

Luksic-Orlandic: In 2008, we received about 56 complaints regarding the violation of children's rights. In the first four months of 2009, we received 40 complaints. The majority of them concern violations of the right to maintain personal relations with both parents during the process of divorce and the right of the child to express his or her views.

That's why we always want to meet the kids and speak with them. Communication is very important, at every level of our work. Children are a sensitive group often difficult to reach. We have to become familiar with their channels of communication, and the OSCE is helping us to find the best way to do so.