ped for information exchange processes with the new Human Rights Advisory Board, the Commissions and civil society. The AOB contributed actively to the process of revision of its legal bases. Both NGOs that are dedicated to the protection of human rights and the previous Human Rights Advisory Council that had been established pursuant to the Austrian Security Police Act (Sicherheitspolizeigesetz) were involved in the constructive legislative process. The Act on the Implementation of the OPCAT (OPCAT Durchführungsgesetz) terminates the work of the previous Human Rights Advisory Council after a 10-year period of operation. It must be said that during this period of time, it made a significant contribution to building awareness for human rights and their importance for police work in the broadest sense. The revised human rights mandate of the AOB, however, goes far beyond it. Both the Council of Europe and the UN General Assembly have passed several resolutions, in which they emphasise the growing importance of ombudsman institutions for the protection of human rights and the promotion of the rule of law. Almost all European countries have charged these institutions with human rights monitoring within the scope of the ratification of the OPCAT. As these institutions have similar responsibilities, new channels for sharing experience and exchanging knowledge are being promoted not only among European ombudsman institutions but beyond them as well. The AOB will also be contributing to this flow of information as it is also the seat of the General Secretariat of the International Ombudsman Institute (I.O.I.) that fosters cooperation among nearly 150 local, regional and national public sector ombudsman institutions. According to its By-laws a member of the AOB always acts as Secretary General of the I.O.I. It is therefore crucial to make use of the excellent international network that the AOB built up in the past years. Many international organisations, including for example the Council of Europe and the OSCE, are important partners when it comes to pushing the human rights agenda. Also collaboration with the SPT will be essential and will allow making progress on joint human rights-based objectives. The AOB will gladly accept international support and expertise for the current transformation process. 7