Performance record year. The participating experts highlighted international standards for safeguarding the independence and plurality of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs). In his opening speech, Ombudsman Kräuter illustrated how important a close, international network and cooperation is for affected NHRIs, using the IOI fact-finding mission to Poland as an example. A joint statement was published. United Nations / UN conventions Global Alliance of NHRIs (GANHRI) As NHRI, the AOB takes part in the annual meeting of NHRIs in Geneva. The hitherto International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (ICC) was renamed the Global Alliance of NHRIs (GANHRI) at the 2016 meeting. In his function as IOI General Secretary, Ombudsman Kräuter led a round of discussions organised by the IOI in cooperation with the European network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI), which provided insight into the work of ombudsman institutions in the field of human rights protection. Ombudsman Kräuter also availed of the opportunity to exchange views with Kate Gilmore, the deputy UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Visit from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights The AOB had an important visitor on 29 April 2016 when the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, came to the office for a work meeting. As an introduction, Ombudswoman Brinek spoke about the tasks of the AOB as well as the mandate exercised since 2012 for the protection and promotion of human rights. The thematic focus of the meeting however was asylum and migration issues, in particular with a view to unaccompanied minor refugees, right-wing populist movements in Europe and current threats to human rights representatives worldwide. In concrete terms, the Paris Principles for national human rights institutions were discussed in detail. The results of the last Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Austria were discussed as well. The UN High Commissioner was impressed by the commitment of the AOB and emphasised the importance of a close cooperation for the future. European NHRI network (ENNHRI) As NHRI and accredited member of GANHRI, the AOB maintains – also in its function as headquarters of the IOI General Secretariat – active and close contact with regional networks, above all the European network of NHRIs (ENNHRI). Thessaloniki conference on refugees and migration issues At the beginning of the year, ENNHRI organised a workshop on the refugee and migration crisis in Thessaloniki together with the institution of the Greek Ombudsman. Ombudsman institutions from the countries along the so called “Western Balkan Route” discussed the importance of monitoring the human rights of refugees. With the 2015 “Belgrade Declaration” as a base, a concrete action plan for ombudsman institutions was drafted and presented 26