“The primary object of the study was to evaluate progress in the advancement and protection of democracy and constitutional rights through the work of selected state institutions established to fulfil these functions. Empirical research was conducted
by researchers in each country between March and July 2009 into two institutions – the Office of the Ombudsman and the national human rights commission – in the eight countries. The study assessed the regulatory framework, performance and capacity
of these two institutions in order to ascertain the contribution that, once
established, they make to enhancing and promoting citizen rights and contributing to more vibrant and rights-based democracies.”
