Performance record in Thessaloniki. It was also emphasised that this action plan did not serve to dictate political solutions. On the contrary, the intention was to provide concrete and pragmatic approaches and to support ombudsman institutions in safeguarding the basic and human rights of refugees through coordinated actions. The topic of the refugee and migration movements also dominated another conference, which was organised in Tirana by the IOI and ENNRI – in close cooperation with the office of the Albanian Ombudsman. This conference also dealt with the tasks and responsibilities of ombudsman institutions in times of increased migration movement. For the first time, not only high-ranking representatives from ombudsman institutions from the affected transit and destination countries took part in the discourse, but also from countries of origin in Africa or South America. Thessaloniki conference on refugee and migration issues The challenges resulting from the increase in migration were thematised. Besides the invited ombudspersons, experts from the Council of Europe, the EU and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights took part in the discussion. Ombudsman Günther Kräuter emphasised in his speech that the challenges posed by this increase in migration can only be overcome through close international cooperation. The intensive talks resulted in a joint “Tirana Declaration” in which the participants commit to intensify their efforts in relation to refugees in the future and to be more active in fighting xenophobia and populist agitation. „Tirana Declaration“ In October 2016, Ombudsman Kräuter took part in the ENNHRI annual meeting in Zagreb. As leader of the round of discussions on the topic of “Human rights in a climate of security and fear”, he emphasised that new security measures may not result in a decrease of personal freedom. The meeting was also an occasion to sign an official declaration of support for the Polish Ombudsman who is under political pressure. ENNHRI General Meeting Council of Europe A conference organised by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children and the office of the French Ombudsman dealt with unaccompanied minor refugees, a group that requires particular protection. Under the motto “Children on the run: protection and the future of child refugees – a challenge for Europe”, the participants discussed how a direct protection of refugees and unaccompanied children can be safeguarded and the relevant asylum and immigration procedures improved and expedited. An expert from the AOB took part in this event and added the Austrian experience as well as proposed solutions to the discussion. Children‘s rights conference in Paris 27