By Amanda Roberson, Tico Times Staff

Carrying his father’s message of respect for human rights and equality that still echoes around the world, Martin Luther King III yesterday paid a visit to the Ombudsman’s Office, which has the task of protecting these ideals in Costa Rica.

King was given a tour of the San José facility by Adjunct Ombudsman Daniel Soley, and it ended in a room full of wide-eyed employees of the Ombudswoman’s Office and the Judicial Branch waiting to hear the words of this 1960s U.S. civil rights leader’s son.

“Any time an organization stands up for human rights, I’m always honored and humbled to be able to dialogue with the organization,” King said. “That’s part of the legacy of my father and mother.”

King’s visit fell on Cultures Day, when Costa Ricans pay tribute to their roots. He said he encourages Ticos to use the occasion to “strive to always remember history and heritage” and learn from the mistakes of the past so as not to repeat them.

Asked how protection of human rights fares in Costa Rica, King declined making any observation, explaining that he had just arrived Wednesday and has full days of meetings yesterday and today during which he will learn about the country.

King said he hopes for future collaboration between the Ombudsman’s Office and Realize the Dream, a nonprofit he helped found when his mother Coretta Scott King died in January. The organization aims to “get America to focus on poverty and how we can reduce it” through conflict resolution, leadership training and community economic development programs.

King is in town for a two-day conference organized by President Oscar Arias’ Foundation for Peace and Human Progress on steps toward good governance.