Teresa Anjinho
Teresa Anjinho | |
|---|---|
| European Ombudsman | |
| Assumed office 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Emily O'Reilly |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 October 1974 |
| Citizenship | Portugal |
| Alma mater | Nova University of Lisbon |
Teresa Anjinho is a Portuguese legal expert, academic researcher, and public servant known for her extensive contributions to human rights, international law, and public policy. She currently serves as a member of the Supervisory Committee of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and is the Ambassador of the Alliance SDG Portugal, where she promotes Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Anjinho was elected to serve as EU Ombundsman for the period between 2025 and 2029.[1][2]
Early Life and Education
[edit]Teresa Anjinho was born in Portugal and demonstrated an early interest in law and governance. She pursued her higher education at the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra, obtaining her law degree in 1997. During her studies, she participated in the ERASMUS program at the University of La Sapienza in Rome, where she gained international exposure and deepened her understanding of European legal systems.
She continued her academic journey by completing the European master's degree in Human Rights and Democratization at the University of Padua in Italy in 1998, focusing on the intersection of human rights and democratization. Additionally, she enrolled as a Ph.D. candidate in International Criminal Law at the Faculty of Law of the Nova University of Lisbon, although her candidacy was later suspended.
A polyglot, Anjinho is fluent in English and French and has proficiency in Italian and Spanish, which has greatly facilitated her international engagements.
Professional career
[edit]Teresa Anjinho has had a distinguished career in public service, academia, and international engagement, holding several high-profile positions in Portugal and Europe. As Deputy Ombudsman of Portugal (2017–2022), she oversaw complaint handling in key areas such as environmental issues, public essential services, security, justice, education, and health. In addition, she represented Portugal in the National Human Rights Commission and was elected as the European representative for the GANHRI Working Group on Business and Human Rights. Previously, she served as Secretary of State for Justice in 2015, where she played a pivotal role in judicial reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, modernization, and governance within the justice system. Between 2011 and 2015, she was a Member of the Assembly of the Republic, actively engaging in parliamentary committees on Human Rights, Foreign Affairs, Equality, and Financial Aid Measures. She also participated in the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission on the BES/GES case and the Subcommittee on Equality. Earlier in her career, she served as a counselor for the Justice of the Peace Council and as a member of the Municipal Assembly of Coimbra in 2017.
In academia, Anjinho has significantly contributed to legal studies and human rights discourse. Since 2024, she has been an Associate Researcher at the Center for Advanced Legal Studies at Lusófona University and a Researcher at the CEDIS – Investigation Centre on Law and Society at Nova School of Law. She has taught subjects such as International Humanitarian Law, Constitutional Law, Social Equality Law, and Women's Rights and has been a guest lecturer at institutions like the University of Coimbra and Nova School of Law. Her academic contributions include participation in Post-Graduation Courses on Human Rights and Master Courses on Women's Studies. She also contributed to drafting Legislative Proposal No. 72/IX, which adapted Portuguese criminal law to the International Criminal Court's Rome Statute, and authored national reports on access to justice in gender equality and anti-discrimination law.[2]
On the international stage, Anjinho has participated in several electoral observation missions under the OSCE, including supervising municipal elections in Kosovo (2000, 2002), parliamentary elections in Russia (1999), and parliamentary elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina (1998). These missions focused on ensuring fair and transparent electoral processes in post-conflict and transitional settings. Additionally, she has served within the European Union, contributing to human rights and democratization initiatives at the European Commission in 1999 and working with the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties and Internal Affairs in 1998, focusing on human rights-related matters. Through her diverse roles, Teresa Anjinho has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to public service, legal innovation, and the promotion of human rights.
Awards and Recognition
[edit]Anjinho has been recognized for her dedication to promoting integrity and governance:
- Tagides - All4Integrity Award Jury Member (2023): Honored for her commitment to transparency and accountability.
- NHRI Academy Participant (2022): Focused on digital rights under the ENNHRI initiative.
Publications and Legal Contributions
[edit]Teresa Anjinho has contributed significantly to legal scholarship and public policy:
- Drafted key legislative frameworks, including those aligning Portuguese law with international standards.
- Participated in the Jean Pictet International Competition on International Humanitarian Law.
- Authored numerous reports and articles on topics ranging from gender equality to AI ethics.
References
[edit]- ^ Portugal, Rádio e Televisão de (2024-12-17). "Teresa Anjinho eleita nova Provedora de Justiça da União Europeia". Teresa Anjinho eleita nova Provedora de Justiça da União Europeia (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-12-18.
- ^ a b "European Ombudsman". www.ombudsman.europa.eu. Retrieved 2024-12-18.