16 Armenia Andorra During investigations of complaints against the police the HRD is entitled to apply to the respective state The National Ombudsman (Human Rights Defender (HRD)) is competent to deal with complaints against the police. The National Ombudsman is competent to receive and address complaints against the police. The ombudsman is independent of government. The ombudsman is elected by consensus of all political parties. The HRD is an independent official who protects human rights and fundamental freedoms violated by state and local self-government bodies and their officials. The Ombudsman’s main function is to defend and oversee the fulfillment and application of constitutional rights and liberties and to ensure the public sector adheres to constitutional principles. An annual report is laid before parliament with recommendations based on the ombudsman’s operations throughout the year. The Defender cannot interfere in judicial processes. The office of the Defender may bring cases before a court in its own right. Additionally, recommendations may be made to authorities (e.g. public prosecutor) to bring criminal or disciplinary cases against police officers that Criminal cases against police officers are undertaken by the Public Prosecutor’s office. Any administration of justice issue outside of the ombudsman’s competence is passed to the Higher Council of Justice for investigation. International Coordinating Committee for National Human Rights Institutions (ICC); Punishment (“SPT”); assessing the PAO to identify further areas of support and outreach to vulnerable groups. The HRD may instruct relevant state agencies to carry out expert examination of, and prepare findings on issues subject to The HRD is constituted under the law and is independent of political control. The Office of the Ombudsman is established under the law, independent of political control, reporting annually to parliament.