Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman Rob Behrens has announced his immediate resignation from the European Ombudsman Institute (EOI) following revelations that its Secretary General, Dr Josef Siegele, aided the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children from Austria to Russia.
Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, requested the Institute immediately exclude Dr Siegele and carry out an internal investigation. The Institute’s failure to act on the revelations has led to Mr Lubinets’ resignation from the organisation, with other members swiftly following suit.
Ombudsman Rob Behrens said:
“The forced deportation of minors to Russia is an indefensible act which violates international humanitarian law. The Institute’s inaction on this matter is contrary to the fundamental principles of ombudsman and human rights organisations.
“I urge other members of the Institute to follow the lead of Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania and the UK, in resigning from the body in a show of solidarity against such flagrant human rights abuses.”
The European Ombudsman Institute is a membership organisation for ombudsman institutions in Europe. Its stated aims include providing support to its members and the active promotion and safeguarding of human rights.