“The next government will have to listen more to us and other human rights advocates,” according to Gilbert Pregno. The President of the Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CCDH) spoke with our colleagues from RTL Radio on Tuesday morning and criticised that politicians often only take into account the opinion of the Council of State and “more or less ignore other opinions.”
While acknowledging that Luxembourg has made significant strides in the realm of human rights, Pregno believes there is still room for improvement. For example, he advocates for the establishment of a human rights ombudsman within the Grand Duchy.
Pregno has served as President of the CCHR on a voluntary basis for a decade, but he will be stepping down at the end of 2023. During his interview on Tuesday morning, he highlighted the need for increased resources for the Commission.
Gilbert Pregno is particularly concerned about poverty. On Tuesday, the CCHR will unveil its priorities for the upcoming legislative elections before they will be sent to the various political parties.
He also emphasised the importance of a proactive approach to housing rights, noting that while their inclusion in the new Constitution is commendable, it must be accompanied by effective policies.
Critically, Pregno lamented the absence of a comprehensive law safeguarding the rights of children and young people, even three decades after the signing of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Expressing his disappointment, Pregno said that this is “something to be ashamed of.”
The draft bills on youth protection and juvenile criminal law have encountered substantial opposition, including formal objections and challenges originating from the judiciary. Acknowledging the initial shortcomings of the drafts, Pregno stressed the need for improved expertise.
According to information obtained by RTL, MPs are due to vote on these draft bills again next week.
