Elena Tonkacheva: Introduction of ombudsman in Belarus is a problem of academic initiative

The head of the Centre for Legal Transformation considers the perspectives of cooperation between the civil society and academic community in the problem of introducing an institution of ombudsman.

Recently a round table dedicated to this problem took place in Belarusian State University.

Gregory Vasilevich, the former Attorney General and the former Head of the Constitutional Court: “The establishment of a position of ombudsman would be very useful not only because such institution can be found in the Western countries, but also because every country faces the problem of protection of citizens' rights and freedoms. First of all, it is a creation of cultural environment in the sphere of protection of citizens' rights and freedoms”.

Elena Tonkacheva, the head of the Legal Transformation Centre “Lawtrend”: “It is but obvious that the introduction of an ombudsman post in Belarus is a problem of academic initiative. Human rights organizations and civil society actors have to work out common attitude towards this perspective, which we already have done. And it was my pleasure to announce at the round table discussion that we are willing to participate in the draft and discussion of such a law. But we also require this process to be open for the civil society.

Our goal is to reformat the cooperation process with the academic community, and in this case I think that the issue of an ombudsman institution provides us with such an opportunity. At the moment the human rights fighters believe that the introduction of this institution should be encouraged. For now our main goal is to enter the discussion process, and organize the communication with the ombudsman, if such position is finally introduced”.

Let us recall that earlier the concept of creating a position of ombudsman in Belarus, suggested by Gregory Vasilevich, had been discussed with Elena Tonkacheva, who suggested two possible ways to introduce it.