Warszawa, June 30, 2005

Prof. dr. hab. Andrzej ZOLL

Prof. Ass. Ermir Dobjani

People's Advocate

of the Republic of Albania

Tirana

Dear Professor Dobjani,

My five years-long term of office as the Commissioner for Civil Rights Protection of the Republic of Poland has just come to its end. On both global and regional scale, throughout that period we have many times witnessed dramatic or even critical moments and events, just to mention its beginning marked by the tragedy of September 11, 2001 and its end -the passing away of the Pope John Paul II. Those two dates, as well as other facts that took place during my holding the office inflexibly used to have one common feature - a greater or lesser yet immediate relationship with human rights and fundamental freedoms and rights of the citizen. Those rights and freedoms - when confronted with the events taking place in the world - were revealing their still new and different aspects and perspectives providing an evidence that they have always been constituting a fundamental component of the existence of societies and the entire mankind.

Concluding my five years-long membership of the ombudsmen community I have to admit that, on the one hand, it was a difficult time for me due to the weight and number of my everyday duties, yet on the other hand it was an inspiring and enriching period, particularly due to the opportunity of maintaining direct contacts with fellow-ombudsmen and acquainting myself with their specific problems and ways they solve them. I have a sincere hope that my successor will be able to rely on equally open and friendly contacts and co-operation with the community of ombudsmen like it was my privilege throughout the entire period of my service.

Please accept my best wishes of all success and prosperity in your difficult and responsible work which has also been my share for the last five years.

 Sincerely

(Signature)