Nel quadro delle attività del Coordinamento nazionale dei difensori civici italiani, Genova è stata designata come sede permanente degli incontri tematici dedicati all’utilizzo dell’intelligenza artificiale nella pubblica amministrazione.

L’annuncio è stato dato nel corso del convegno “Diritti, innovazione e istituzioni: la difesa civica e la pubblica amministrazione nell’era digitale”, ospitato presso la Sala Liguri nel Mondo del Consiglio regionale della Liguria, alla presenza di rappresentanti istituzionali, esperti e difensori civici provenienti da tutta Italia.

L’iniziativa ha rappresentato un importante momento di approfondimento sulle opportunità e sulle criticità legate all’introduzione delle nuove tecnologie nei processi amministrativi. L’intelligenza artificiale, infatti, si configura come uno strumento capace di migliorare la gestione dei dati, supportare i processi decisionali e ridurre i tempi di risposta delle amministrazioni, contribuendo a rendere più efficiente e accessibile l’azione pubblica.

Nel corso dei lavori, il Presidente del Consiglio regionale della Liguria, Stefano Balleari, ha sottolineato come l’innovazione tecnologica debba sempre rimanere al servizio dell’uomo: l’intelligenza artificiale, pur rappresentando un supporto prezioso, non può sostituire il decisore pubblico, cui spetta la responsabilità finale delle scelte e il bilanciamento degli interessi. Fondamentale, inoltre, il richiamo a una governance solida, a basi normative adeguate e alla qualità dei dati, elementi imprescindibili per garantire decisioni corrette e trasparenti.

Un ruolo centrale è stato evidenziato anche dal difensore civico della Liguria, Francesco Cozzi, promotore dell’iniziativa insieme al Coordinamento nazionale. La difesa civica, infatti, si conferma un ponte essenziale tra cittadini e pubblica amministrazione, capace di accompagnare i processi di innovazione e di orientarne l’utilizzo verso una maggiore tutela dei diritti. In questo contesto, l’intelligenza artificiale può rappresentare un valido alleato, ad esempio nel migliorare l’organizzazione interna degli enti e nell’ottimizzare la consultazione delle banche dati.

Nel suo intervento, il Coordinatore nazionale dei difensori civici, Marino Fardelli, ha ribadito la necessità che la trasformazione digitale sia guidata da una visione chiara e responsabile: “L’innovazione deve rafforzare i diritti dei cittadini. La difesa civica italiana può e deve essere protagonista di questo cambiamento, contribuendo a costruire una pubblica amministrazione più efficiente, trasparente e vicina alle persone”.

Tra i temi affrontati, particolare attenzione è stata dedicata anche all’applicazione dell’intelligenza artificiale in ambito sanitario, con riferimento all’analisi dei flussi nei pronto soccorso e all’utilizzo di strumenti predittivi per migliorare la gestione dei picchi di domanda e l’organizzazione dei servizi.

La scelta di Genova come sede permanente degli incontri nazionali rappresenta un riconoscimento significativo dell’impegno della Regione Liguria nel promuovere un confronto strutturato e continuativo sui temi dell’innovazione digitale. Un percorso condiviso che vede la difesa civica impegnata in prima linea nel garantire che le nuove tecnologie siano sempre orientate alla tutela dei diritti, alla qualità dei servizi pubblici e al rafforzamento del rapporto di fiducia tra cittadini e istituzioni.

La difesa civica è, oggi più che mai, rete, ascolto e innovazione.

https://www.rainews.it/tgr/liguria/video/2026/03/intelligenza-artificiale-e-difesa-civica-liguria-regione-pilota-00d71a94-a9b5-4c5c-992c-6d3c8aaf3f89.html

https://www.genova24.it/2026/03/intelligenza-artificiale-difensori-civici-458514/

https://www.albengacorsara.it/2026/03/26/ia-e-pubblica-amministrazione-liguria-sede-delle-riunioni-dei-difensori-civici/

On March 31, the Public Defender of Georgia traditionally presented an annual report on the situation of human rights and freedoms in Georgia to the Parliament of Georgia.

The report highlights trends and challenges that require timely response from the authorities. It also notes some recent progress. The legislative changes implemented in 2025 that prevent the proper protection of human rights in the country are discussed in the document in detail.

The rights situation of people living in the occupied territories and adjacent to the occupation line, illegal detentions and imprisonment incited by impunity of representatives of the occupation regimes, the so-called borderization process, violations of the right to property, access to education in the native language in the occupied territories, ethnic persecution and psychological pressure, the threats arising from the migration of young people from the villages located near the occupation line and the issues of providing long-term housing for IDPs are also discussed in the report.

A large part of the report is devoted to the cases of ill-treatment detected during the 2024 and 2025 protests and their ineffective investigation, protection of freedom of expression, including the dismissal of public officials from their positions, allegedly for publicly expressing political and civic positions.

The report discusses the overcrowding of penitentiary institutions, the shortcomings of the the conditional release and commutation mechanisms; the problems existing in the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which have been unresolved for years.

The situation of equality, prevention of gender-motivated murders of women - femicide, and effective administration of justice and law enforcement functions in such cases remain a challenge.

The report reviews language and information barriers for representatives of national minorities, accessibility of employment promotion programmes and other public services; issues of freedom of belief and religion.

In the context of the right to health, among social issues, systemic shortcomings in the protection of patients' rights are discussed along with other issues; in terms of labour rights, the report reviews legal guarantees for the proper provision of the right to decent remuneration; issues of access to water and compliance with social housing standards are also topics of the report.

Another issue discussed is the rights situation of vulnerable groups - children, persons with disabilities and older persons, which is further aggravated by poverty, the ineffectiveness of mechanisms for detecting and responding to violence, and the neglect of legal safeguards.

Among many other issues, the report devotes a separate chapter to awareness-raising and human rights education. It also deals with the situation in the defense sector, the rights situation of asylum seekers, and issues of providing housing for eco-migrants.

For the purpose of resolving the problems identified, the Public Defender prepares recommendations and reflects them in annual reports, and the Parliament of Georgia issues a decree on their implementation to the relevant agencies.

“The Institution of the Ombudsman has received about 1,000 complaints from citizens, 800 of which specifically concern inflated electricity bills. More than 900 people have also approached me with petitions from 14 localities. These reports continue to come in daily.” This was stated by Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva at the opening of the meeting she organised on the topic: “Measures for the Effective Protection of Electricity Consumers.”

20 March 2026

“The Institution of the Ombudsman has received about 1,000 complaints from citizens, 800 of which specifically concern inflated electricity bills. More than 900 people have also approached me with petitions from 14 localities. These reports continue to come in daily.” This was stated by Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva at the opening of the meeting she organised on the topic: “Measures for the Effective Protection of Electricity Consumers.”

The forum was attended by Traicho Traikov, acting Minister of Energy, and Irina Shtonova, acting Minister of Economy and Industry; Plamen Mladenovski, Chairman of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC); Alexander Kolyachev, Chairman of the Commission for Consumer Protection (CCP), and members Katerina Gramatikova and Tsvetislava Lakova; representatives from the three electricity distribution and supply companies—Plamen Stefanov from Energo-Pro and Atanas Kolev from Elektrorazpredelenie Sever; Zornitsa Genova and Georgi Milkov from Elektrohold Bulgaria and Elektrorazpredeleni Mreji Zapad; Kalina Trifonova and Shteryu Radev from EVN Bulgaria; Bogomil Nikolov from the Bulgarian National Association “Active Consumers”; Emil Georgiev and Konstantin Pavlov from the Federation of Consumers in Bulgaria.

The Ombudsman has pointed out that citizens are entitled to clear and specific answers. In their complaints, they state that they have not changed their consumption habits and that they are using the same electrical appliances. Other complaints include low voltage and the lack of an option for payment in installments.

“People want their electricity meters checked and want more control over how their bills are calculated,” said Delcheva.

The Ombudsman also noted that the institution is monitoring the issue of energy poverty. “Just a few days ago, I submitted an opinion on the draft ordinance for determining the status of households in a situation of energy poverty and vulnerable customers, in which I warned that the proposed criteria could limit the scope of those receiving assistance, as a significant portion of the elderly risk being excluded from the ‘vulnerable customer’ category .

During the discussion, Minister of Economy and Industry Irina Shtonova called for an in-depth analysis of the situation regarding February’s utility bills and the introduction of automated mechanisms for monitoring consumption. She raised the issue of high utility bills for unoccupied properties.

“Consumers must not have even a shred of doubt about the accuracy of their electricity bills. We must ensure that no customer pays a single cent more than they have used, and every bill that is the subject of a complaint must be thoroughly reviewed. We are actively working toward this goal. It is precisely the specialised inspections currently being conducted by independent laboratories at the request of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission that will provide this clarity, and for us, this is the right path to restoring consumers’ fragile trust in the system,” said Energy Minister Traicho Traikov. He noted that the issue was a priority for the caretaker government.

Plamen Mladenovski, Chairman of the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC), announced that 6,548 complaints have been received to date, of which 3,707 have been processed. According to the regulator, lower consumption in November was followed by a sharp increase in December and January, driven by colder weather and higher volumes of purchased electricity.

Alexander Kolyachev, Chairman of the Commission for Consumer Protection (CCP), has announced that unfair commercial practices and unfair terms have been identified in companies’ general terms and conditions. The Commission has initiated proceedings in three areas and has issued administrative orders to cease the identified practices. Shortcomings in the provision of information on the companies’ websites were also noted.

Consumer organisations have recommended the introduction of remote meter reading, greater transparency, and options for out-of-court dispute resolution, as well as the introduction of payment plans involving equal monthly installments with annual adjustments.

Representatives of the energy companies have presented data on the complaints received and the inspections conducted.

“Of the 4,000 complaints regarding inflated electricity bills, 38 were found to be valid,” said Plamen Stefanov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Energo-Pro Sales AD, during a public meeting. He pointed out that every complaint was carefully reviewed to identify any potential irregularities.

Zornitsa Genova, CEO of Electrohold, has announced that complaints account for a small percentage of the total number of bills, and that the increase in complaints is linked to media coverage.

Kalina Trifonova of EVN Bulgaria has stated that increased consumption during the winter months is a real factor behind the higher bills.

All electricity distribution companies have declared their readiness to improve transparency and access to information for customers, including procedures for filing and examining complaints.

At the end of the discussion, the Ombudsman has summarised that she would send recommendations to energy companies to provide customers with clear and understandable information on how electricity bills are calculated, as well as how to monitor their consumption, including the procedure for filing complaints about high bills.

Velislava Delcheva also insists on ensuring protection for socially vulnerable people who cannot cope with the higher bills on their own. This should be achieved by providing the option of deferred payment of electricity bills, with customers being given clear information on how to apply for deferral; the introduction of the option to pay electricity bills in equal monthly installments, with annual adjustments, should also be discussed. The Ombudsman will also recommend that the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) facilitate the ability to file complaints online by eliminating the requirement for an electronic signature.

El acto, que ha tenido lugar en el Palacio de Armijo, es una tradición que une a la institución y a la cofradía desde 1994

La Cofradía de la Piedad ha comunicado este miércoles formalmente a la justicia de Aragón el indulto de una persona interna, solicitado al Estado con motivo de la Semana Santa.

Esta tradición une a la institución y a la cofradía desde 1994 y se ha convertido en una ceremonia significativa dentro de la Semana Santa de Zaragoza.

El acto ha tenido lugar en el Palacio de Armijo y ha contado con la presencia de la justicia, Concepción Gimeno; el Hermano Mayor de la Piedad, Luis Bernal; el secretario de Caridad, Luis Miguel García, y representantes del Centro de Inserción Social ‘Las Trece Rosas’.

La justicia de Aragón ha explicado que este acto es una oportunidad para reconocer la labor que desempeña La Piedad para apoyar a las personas privadas de libertad: “Me consta su trabajo de seguimiento de los internos, la asistencia económica y social a sus familias y el acompañamiento después de cumplir la pena para apoyar su integración en la sociedad y prevenir la reincidencia”.

Los representantes de la Cofradía han explicado que el indulto se propone para personas con las que la cofradía ha tenido contacto por su labor de acompañamiento en cárceles y centros de internamiento, como el Centro de Inserción Social ‘Las Trece Rosas’ y el Centro Penitenciario de Zuera.

En este caso, la cofradía elevó la propuesta al Gobierno central, quién publicó el indulto en el Boletín Oficial del Estado el pasado 25 de marzo. En él, se indulta “la pena privativa de libertad pendiente de cumplimiento con la condición de que no vuelva a cometer delito doloroso en el plazo de tres años”.

Las personas que pueden optar a esta medida de gracia deben estar cumpliendo condenas por delitos no graves y tienen que tener informes favorables por parte de la dirección del centro penitenciario en el que cumplen condena. Además, han tenido que mostrar buen comportamientos y signos claros de rehabilitación.

Según el BOE del 24 de marzo, la persona indultada había sido condenada por un delito continuado de estafa a la pena de tres años de prisión. Además, Luis Miguel García ha subrayado que todo el mundo comete errores y todos tenemos derecho a una segunda oportunidad: “Hay que poner el foco en el futuro de esa persona y no en un momento determinado del pasado”.

ORÍGENES DEL INDULTO

La tradición de conceder indultos con motivo de la Semana Santa en España tiene raíces históricas vinculadas a prácticas de misericordia y redención cristiana y suele relacionarse con privilegios concedidos en el siglo XVIII —como el otorgado por Carlos III a la cofradía de Jesús “El Rico” de Málaga.

Actualmente, la concesión de indultos en España se rige por la Ley de 18 de junio de 1870, aún vigente, que regula el ejercicio de esta medida de gracia por parte del Gobierno.

En Zaragoza, la tradición se mantiene a través de la Cofradía de la Piedad, que cada Semana Santa solicita el indulto de un preso. La decisión final corresponde al Consejo de Ministros.

Accede a la publicación del indulto en el BOE