22/10/2020 (Agence Europe) – “It is crucially important to be able to count on the expertise of an independent and effective Ombudsman institution fully compliant with international standards”, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights said in a letter to the Polish Foreign Minister that was published on Thursday. The letter was sent on 13 October, the day after a statement was issued by the Venice Commission expressing concern about the risk of paralysis surrounding the institution in Poland. In actual fact, a constitutional appeal has been lodged so that the outgoing Ombudsman cannot secure the transition before his successor takes up office. The delay in electing the new Ombudsman has led to an indefinite and unacceptable vacancy, according to the Venice Principles, which call for every effort to be made to ensure that this institution continues to function, says Dunja Mijatović. (VL)