01 February 2012, 14:47
During the meeting they discussed the issues relating to the annual report on the state of human rights observance and protection in Ukraine, which, according to the legislation, the ombudsperson shall present to the Parliament within the first quarter of every year.
N. Karpachova addressed V. Lytvyn with a proposal to present the annual report to the Verkhovna Rada on the opening day of the tenth session, i.e. on February 7. She noted that her tenure of appointment ends on this date, and expressed her readiness to answer the deputies’ questions.
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported N. Karpachova’s initiative and informed that he had requested to include the report of the Ombudsperson into the agenda of the Parliament for the next plenary week. He believes that a hearing could be granted to the Ombudsperson’s report after the solemn opening of the session.
V. Lytvyn and N. Karpachova stressed that this will conform to the Constitution of Ukraine, the Law of Ukraine “On the Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine”, and the Law of Ukraine “On Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine’.
The head of the Parliament hopes that faction leaders will not object to such procedure.
For reference: under the Law of Ukraine “On the Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine”, ombudsperson shall be appointed and dismissed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine by secret ballot. Human Rights Commissioner is appointed for the period of five years starting on the day s/he gives the oath at the session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
Ombudsperson candidates are put forward within twenty days after the end of the term of the previous Ombudsperson.