Judgment of the Court in Case C-613/24 | Commission v Portugal (Special areas of conservation – Failure to comply with a judgment of the Court of Justice)

Date of article: 05/03/2026

Daily News of: 10/03/2026

Country:  EUROPE

Author:

Article language: en

Link: https://curia.europa.eu/site/upload/docs/application/pdf/2026-03/cp260030en.pdf

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Judgment of the Court in Case C-613/24 | Commission v Portugal (Special areas of conservation – Failure to comply with a judgment of the Court of Justice)

Twofold failure to fulfil obligations: Portugal is ordered to pay €10 million for failing to comply with a judgment of the Court of Justice finding an infringement of the Habitats Directive

The Court also imposes on Portugal a penalty payment of €41 250 per day until that judgment is fully complied with, which will be reduced as that Member State makes progress

The preservation and restoration of biodiversity in Europe is one of the European Union’s main priorities. The Habitats Directive 1 contributes to this through the conservation of natural habitats as well as of wild fauna and flora present on the European territory of the Member States. To that end, it has set up the ‘Natura 2000’ network, the largest ecological network in the world. Natura 2000 aims to ensure, in a coherent and transnational manner, the long-term survival of the most valuable and threatened species and habitats in Europe. The network includes special areas of conservation (SACs) designated by Member States under the Habitats Directive and special protection areas classified under the Birds Directive.

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We publish a follow-up report on support for unpaid carers

Date of article: 04/03/2026

Daily News of: 10/03/2026

Country:  United Kingdom - Wales

Author:

Article language: en

Today we publish ‘Are we caring for our carers? Revisited’, a follow-up to our 2024 Own Initiative investigation into how Welsh local authorities identify, assess and support unpaid carers.  

The original investigation examined whether 4 local authorities – Caerphilly County Borough Council, Ceredigion County Council, Flintshire County Council and Neath Port Talbot Council – were meeting their statutory duties under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. While examples of good practice were identified, it was found that only a small proportion of carers received assessments of their needs, and many were unaware of their rights or the support available. 

The follow-up report reviews progress made by the 4 investigated authorities and summarises responses and data from the remaining 18 local authorities in Wales. It highlights development while identifying areas where further improvement is still required. 

The report finds that all 4 investigated authorities have taken positive action in response to the recommendations. Improvements include the development or revision of factsheets explaining the carers’ needs assessment process, what carers can expect, and the role of commissioned services. These materials are now available in Welsh, other languages and Easy Read formats. 

Authorities have also updated assessment forms and recording practices to better capture the needs of adult and young carers, improving consistency and quality. Where changes remain outstanding, improvements are being integrated into regional arrangements and new case management systems. 

The report also highlights improvements in post-assessment communications and practical support for carers, increased staff training and awareness-raising activity, alongside stronger audit and quality assurance arrangements. Progress has been made in partnership working with health services, including hospital in-reach activity and discharge support initiatives, and in improving the recording of equality data through new IT systems. 

Despite these improvements, a gap still remains between the number of people who identify as carers and those receiving formal needs assessments. Data from the 18 non-investigated authorities shows that, on average, only 2.73% of carers received a needs assessment in 2023/24, and only 1.32% received an assessment that resulted in a support plan. 

While welcoming progress, we note that not all recommendations have been fully implemented within the agreed timescales. The follow-up report is therefore issued as a Special Report under section 28 of the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019, with further recommendations made to Ceredigion County Council and Flintshire County Council, including enhanced oversight through their Audit and Risk Committees. 

Commenting on the report, Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, Michelle Morris, said: 

“I welcome the positive action taken since my original investigation, which has helped to improve how carers are identified, informed of their rights and supported through the assessment process.

However, it is disappointing that some recommendations have not yet been fully implemented. Carers must be clear about the outcomes of their assessments and how to seek further support. I urge all local authorities to take forward the learning from this work and continue to improve how unpaid carers are identified and supported across Wales.”

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La institución Defensor del Pueblo premiada en el CGPJ por “su carácter pionero en la denuncia de la violencia de género”

Date of article: 06/03/2026

Daily News of: 10/03/2026

Country:  Spain

Author:

Article language: es

El Defensor del Pueblo, Ángel Gabilondo, ha recibido este viernes en el Consejo General del Poder Judicial (CGPJ) un premio por “su carácter pionero en la denuncia de la violencia de género”, en la edición XX Premios Observatorio Contra la Violencia Doméstica y de Género. El galardón ha sido entregado por la presidenta del Tribunal Supremo y del Consejo General del Poder Judicial, Isabel Perelló.

El jurado ha destacado que “desde finales de los años noventa, cuando esta grave problemática permanecía invisible para amplios sectores de la sociedad, la institución ha atendido denuncias de mujeres víctimas y ha formulado recomendaciones que, en numerosos casos, han sido incorporadas a distintos textos legales”.

Ángel Gabilondo ha señalado, tras recoger el premio en nombre de la institución, que “es difícil sustraerse al estremecimiento que produce la debilitación de las estructuras del derecho internacional. Toda respuesta comienza porque cada cual hagamos bien nuestra labor, cumplamos con nuestro deber, que recompongamos los afectos, los vínculos, la solidaridad y las confianzas. Y en esta circunstancia y en este lugar hablamos desde el compromiso con la libertad y los derechos humanos. Ahí cobra todo su sentido la igualdad, hoy la igualdad de género. Esto nos convoca”.

El Defensor del Pueblo prosiguió subrayando que “hay una respuesta intensa de las instituciones, organizaciones y entidades para afrontar la violencia de género, y sigue siendo necesaria no pocas veces ante los sucesos graves o muy graves que destrozan la vida y la convivencia. Mujeres maltratadas, desconsideradas, asesinadas y el destrozo familiar y social provocado por quienes no son capaces de sobrellevar su singularidad sus palabras y su libertad”.

“Son las mujeres y sus injustas situaciones laborales y vitales las que han de ser y son premiadas”, recalcó el Ángel Gabilondo. “Y este premio es sobre todo un estímulo para una mayor responsabilidad, para proseguir en esta tarea imprescindible. Nos compromete más como institución y proseguiremos en la labor abriendo incluso nuevos canales y ventanales para hacerlo efectivamente. Las mujeres víctimas, ellas merecen este premio y suyo es, nosotros lo recibimos en su nombre”

El Observatorio contra la Violencia Doméstica y de Género lo conforman, además del Consejo General del Poder Judicial, los ministerios de Presidencia, Interior e Igualdad; la Fiscalía General del Estado; Eusko Jaurlaritza-Gobierno Vasco; la Generalitat de Catalunya; la Xunta de Galicia; la Generalitat Valenciana; el Gobierno de Canarias; la Junta de Andalucía; el Gobierno de Navarra; la Comunidad de Madrid; el Principado de Asturias; el Gobierno de Cantabria; el Gobierno de Aragón; el Gobierno de la Rioja; el Consejo General de la Abogacía Española, y el Consejo General de Procuradores de España.

En el mismo acto también ha sido premiada Aminata Soucko, una víctima de mutilación genital, que ha creado una plataforma de ayuda y atención integral destinada a mujeres refugiadas y migrantes. Asimismo, el abogado Adolfo Barreda ha recibido la mención especial ‘Soledad Cazorla’ por su dilatada carrera profesional, en la que se ha centrado en la defensa de los derechos humanos y, de forma muy activa, en la defensa del derecho a la igualdad entre los hombres y las mujeres y de las víctimas de violencia sexual en el ámbito laboral.

Al acto también han asistido la adjunta primera del Defensor del Pueblo, Teresa Jiménez-Becerril; la adjunta segunda, Patricia Bárcena, el director del Área de Seguridad y Justicia del Defensor del Pueblo, Andrés Jiménez, y personal de esta Área.

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Tomás Quintana participa en el Congreso Internacional 'Mujer rural y reto demográfico. Propuestas tangibles para la institucionalización de la perspectiva de género en las comunidades rurales'

Date of article: 05/03/2026

Daily News of: 10/03/2026

Country:  Spain - Castilla y León

Author:

Article language: es

El Procurador del Común ha particidado hoy en una mesa redonda dentro del Congreso Internacional “Mujer rural y reto demográfico. Propuestas tangibles para la institucionalización de la perspectiva de género en las comunidades rurales”, una cita científica que reune en Salamanca a más de un centenar de especialistas para estudiar reformas normativas e institucionales que permitan avanzar hacia la igualdad efectiva entre mujeres y hombres con especial atención en los territorios rurales.

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Newsletter of the People’s Advocate Office (February 2026)

Date of article: 06/03/2026

Daily News of: 10/03/2026

Country:  Moldova

Author:

Article language: en

A summary of the most significant issues from the perspective of the People Advocate's Office for February 2026.

https://ombudsman.md/en/newsletter-of-the-peoples-advocate-office-february-2026-2/

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Link to the Ombudsman Daily News archives from 2002 to 20 October 2011