The CHRIS Network offices in Valjevo, Novi Pazar, Negotin and Niš finalised the activities of the Committee for Human Rights Valjevo “Open Forum – Public Advocacy for the Establishment of the Ombudsman Institution in 6 Municipalities in Serbia” supported by the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) through a programme “Civil society advocacy initiative in Serbia”.

In January and February 2010, the presidents of the municipal assemblies of Valjevo, Novi Pazar, Negotin and Medijana-Niš were handed over a document “Draft Decision on Ombudsman with a Rationale” drafted by the CHRIS Network legal team as a support to the municipal institutions in creating socially responsible environment for their citizens. The institution of ombudsman is rather a novelty in Serbia, therefore many questions like: how an ombudsman actually carries out his/her tasks, what are these tasks, what is the authority an ombudsman acts upon, and many others were answered in special TV programmes broadcast by local TV outlets.

The CHRIS Network believes that establishing an institution of ombudsman at local level is an important mechanism for protection and achievement of individual and collective human rights; and it will continue with activities aimed at creating a positive social ambience for instituting local ombudsmen at local level.