The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Ms Valeriya Lutkovska and the Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR/OSCE) Mr Janez Lenarcic signed a Memorandum of Cooperation.

Last year the number of foreign children entering Hungary illegally and unaccompanied by parents or adults significantly increased. The ombudsman suggests clarification of the laws setting out the work of police and the immigration authority so that the children’s rights of minors regardless of their citizenship can be enforced.

The New South Wales (NSW) Ombudsman Bruce Barbour tabled a special report in Parliament on 28 February 2013 on his office’s monitoring of the police investigation into the death of a Brazilian student.

Croatian Parliament voted on 15 February 2013 and on 1 March 2013 Ms Vidovic took over the postition as the new parliamentary commissioner for protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms for a term of eight years.

The Office of Ontario Ombudsman André Marin published its monthly Newsletter “The Watchdog”. The February issue informs about the Ombudsman’s investigation into the Ontario’s services for adults with developmental disabilities.

The Forum of Canadian Ombudsman and the Association of Canadian College and University Ombudspersons are holding their biennial joint conference in Halifax from 9 to 12 June 2013.

Correctional Investigator of Canada, Howard Sapers, has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal on 25 February 2013 to recognize his long track record of public service.