Publication

This paper examines ombudsman institutions and how they address minority issues in Europe. The first section discusses mandate, powers and functions of minority ombudsman institutions, the second section evaluates establishment and foundational criteria, and the third part observes key operational and organizational issues. Each part consists of a number of key points or statements, followed by discussions and analyses, which provide alternatives or discuss suitable solutions reached in practice by institutions. This paper presents examples of good practice and experience from various countries. The last section contains essential resources, including information on related literature, websites and legal documents.