Ms. Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra is the Ombudsperson for Mauritius. She is a barrister by training. She has been in politics for 20 years: 15 years as a member of Parliament and in 1982/1983, as Attorney General (Minister of Justice) and Minister for Women’s Rights and Family Affairs. This included Children’s Rights as well. She has also been a municipal councillor and Mayor. Since 1975, she has been involved in NGO work in human rights and development issues mostly in and for Africa. She is still an active member of several organisations. As Ombudsperson she has launched a National Campaign on the Prevention of Violence against children in Mauritius, working with government departments, NGOs and experts. Her particular interest is lobbying, policy making and strategising especially in matters of fundamental rights. In 1977 she lodged the first African communication before the UN Human Rights Committee (Aumeeruddy Cziffra v. Government of Mauritius R35 1981).