In der ORF Sendung Bürgeranwalt wurde der Fall von Herrn W. behandelt, der sein Fahrrad an einem Fahrradständer im 7. Wiener Gemeindebezirk mit einem Schloss gesichert abgestellt hat. Ein paar Tage später war es weg. Ebenso, wie sämtliche Radständer in diesem Bereich. Wegen Bauarbeiten vor Ort wurden im Auftrag der MA28 die Ständer entfernt und die Räder an anderen Stellen in der Umgebung mit Blechbändern abgestellt. Erst durch Suche konnten die Besitzer ihre Räder wieder finden. Hinweistafeln zu den Bauarbeiten gab es im Vorfeld laut Herrn W. nicht. Für Volksanwältin Gaby Schwarz ist klar: „Die Stadt Wien soll Verantwortung für den entstandenen Schaden übernehmen und sich entschuldigen.“

Die zuständige Magistratsabteilung entgegnet, dass sie nur die Bewilligung erteilt und der Bauwerber für die Aufstellung der Hinweistafeln zu sorgen hat. Ob diese behördliche Verpflichtung erfüllt wurde, ist dem Magistrat nicht bekannt. Und außerdem behält sich der Magistrat die tatsächliche Entfernung der Räder gegen Kostenersatz selbst vor. „Das reicht nicht! Die zuständige MA28 hat zu kontrollieren, ob die von ihr beauftragte Firma die Hinweistafeln ordnungsgemäß und fristgerecht aufstellt. In diesem Fall wurden Räder ohne Vorankündigung entfernt. Ich appelliere an die Stadtverwaltung, den Fehler einzusehen und sich zu entschuldigen“, betont Volksanwältin Gaby Schwarz.

Das Rad von Herrn W. tauchte übrigens nicht mehr auf.

Teilerfolg: Golf am Sportplatz mittlerweile verboten

Einen Teilerfolg erzielte die Volksanwaltschaft im Fall eines Sportplatzes in der Stadtgemeinde Amstetten. Anrainer beklagten, dass regelmäßig Golfbälle in Gärten landen und ein Risiko darstellen. Der Golfspieler und auch die Polizei entgegneten, dass der Sportplatz für „Ballsportarten“ ausgeschildert ist und Golf eben ein Ballsport sei. Nach Appell von Volksanwältin Gaby Schwarz wurde nun ein neues Schild aufgestellt, mit dem Hinweis „Golf spielen verboten“.

„Das ist ein Schritt in die richtige Richtung, dem noch weitere folgen müssen. Nach wie vor wird der Schließmechanismus des elektronischen Tors umgangen. Dadurch leiden die Anrainer unter Lärmbelästigung nach der offiziellen Öffnungszeit des Sportplatzes. Auch wenn die Stadtgemeinde engmaschigere Kontrollen durch die Exekutive angekündigt hat, empfehle ich den Anrainern, bei Übertretungen die Behörde zu verständigen“, betont die Volksanwältin. 

The House Business Committee presided by the Speaker of the House; the Hon. Anglu Farrugia met in a dedicated session to discuss the Ombudsplan 2026.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, opened the meeting with an overview of the Office’s performance. He reported that this year, up to 31^st October 2025, the Office received 533 complaints and assisted 694 persons.

A total of 472 investigations were concluded, and in 160 (34%) cases the Ombudsman found that the complainant suffered an injustice. Of these, 142 (89%) were resolved through implementation of recommendations, informal action or during the investigation. The figures underline that the Office remains an effective and accessible avenue for justice.

The Ombudsman highlighted the need for consistent outreach. He stressed that the Office must continue engaging directly with people to understand their concerns and provide practical solutions. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining close dialogue with public bodies to identify weaknesses, failures and poor practices that require corrective action. He recalled that the Ombudsman’s function, as set out in the Ombudsman Act, allows him to assess not only legality but also fairness and reasonableness in administrative decisions.

He referred to non-implemented recommendations as missed opportunities for the public administration to improve its services. The Ombudsman reiterated that where necessary, he and the Commissioners will continue to drive change in policy and practice when this is justified in the public interest.

The Ombudsman also outlined several measures that remain unfulfilled, including the proposal for an ad hoc parliamentary committee to examine and give direction on Final Opinions that are not implemented and are submitted to Parliament. Up to 31 October of this year, the Office of the Ombudsman sent 17 Final Opinions with non-implemented recommendations to Parliament.

He reiterated the need to strengthen the right to good administration, including rights related to fair treatment, timely decisions, access to files and the duty of public bodies to give reasons for their decisions.

He drew attention to the fact that although Malta ratified Protocol No. 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights, it has not yet been incorporated into domestic law. He also encouraged consideration of the suspension of the prescription of action against the public service and public administration when an investigation is ongoing, to further facilitate access to justice.

Judge Zammit McKeon reiterated his call for the establishment of a National Human Rights Institution within the framework of the Ombudsman Office, noting the successful experience of many European countries. He referred to the recent UN General Assembly Resolution of 17 December 2024 recognising the important role of Ombudsman institutions in promoting human rights, good governance and the rule of law.

He concluded by noting that a credible democracy should reinforce the mandate and operational capacity of the Ombudsman through adequate funding, and that the Ombudsplan 2026 warrants the approval of the House.

During the discussion, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Hon. Ian Borg, thanked the Ombudsman, Commissioners and staff, noting the Office’s visibility and its value in helping the public understand their avenues for redress. The Opposition Whip, Hon. Robert Cutajar, expressed the Opposition’s appreciation for the work carried out by the institution.

At the end of the sitting, the House Business Committee recommended the approval of the budget for the Office of the Ombudsman by the Plenary Session.

News and events of the Ombudsman’s Office in October 2025 (information in links mostly available in Latvian).

Ombudsperson’s opinion on mandatory consultations before termination of pregnancy

The initiative to introduce mandatory counselling for women who wish to terminate pregnancy raises serious concerns from a human rights perspective. This proposal by members of the Parliament, although formulated as a ‘support measure’ and a ‘protection of unborn life’, in fact affects a woman’s right to autonomy, self-determination, private and family life, and can also be regarded as an indirect coercive mechanism that disproportionately limits woman’s choice.

Acts rather than words are crucial in violence prevention

Ombudsperson Karina Palkova welcomes every political or legal initiative aimed at reducing violence and protecting people’s fundamental rights, including the draft declaration submitted by members of the Parliament on preventing and eliminating violence against women and domestic violence. It is essential that the difference between a declaration and a convention is explained to the public.

What are monitoring visits of the Ombudsman’s Office?

In Latvia, the Ombudsman’s Office is entrusted with the function of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM). One of the main tasks of the NPM is to regularly visit places where people have or might be deprived of their liberty – orphanages, nursing homes, prisons, psychoneurological hospitals, accommodation for detained foreigners and asylum seekers – to prevent risks of ill-treatment such as violence, intolerance or neglect.

Municipality may not request co-financing from parents for children using school bus

Ombudsperson Karina Palkova calls on Salaspils municipality to change the binding regulations, which currently provide for parents’ co-financing of for children using school bus organized by the municipality. The regulations do not comply with the child’s right to free education, nor with the municipality’s obligation to ensure available education for all children. Changes must be made by November 27th of this year.

First successful Ombudsperson’s reception of visitors

On October 16, the Ombudsperson Karina Palkova had meetings with clients of the Ombudsman’s Office, during which visitors shared their problems and received legal advice and support. During the consultations the visitors shared different issues, the Ombudsperson is grateful for the trust and willingness to stand up for their rights.

Ombudsperson and organisations representing people with disabilities discuss topical issues and agree to meet regularly

On 13 October, the Ombudsperson Karina Palkova met with representatives of non-governmental organisations representing people with disabilities to discuss current cooperation, pressing issues and jointly outline the next steps for collaboration.

‘When life hits twice’ – contributions to pension insurance for parents of severely ill children are not fair

The Ombudsperson has found that state social insurance contributions for parents who take care of children with severe disabilities are inadequate, humiliating and unequal. The Ombudsperson invites the Parliament and the Cabinet of Ministers to review legal norms that are incompatible with the Constitution by the end of this year.

Immigration control in the context of human rights transformation

The resilience of the state external border and the ability of the responsible authorities to work together in maintaining the statehood and security of Latvia are regularly provoked by countries unfriendly to Latvia. Security at all levels is a priority for Latvia. By strengthening immigration control not only at the external border, but also in the capital Riga and elsewhere, we as a state confirm that we work with potential risks preventively, without waiting for any specific event or threat.

Winners of the article contest “Let human rights speak!” awarded

On 28 October, Ombudsperson Karina Palkova, Justice Director of the Baltic Human Rights Society Arina Melse and editor-in-chief of the portal Cilvektiesibas.info Ieva Andersone welcomed the winners of the article contest “Let human rights speak!”. The competition was organised for the fourth year in a row by the portal Cilvektiesibas.info in cooperation with the Ombudsman’s Office.

Ombudsperson participates in the meeting of Ombudsmen of the Baltic and Nordic countries

On October 23, the Ombudsperson Karina Palkova participated in the annual meeting of the Ombudsmen and Chancellors of Justice of the Baltic and Nordic countries in Vilnius, Lithuania. The meeting took place in the office of the Lithuanian Parliamentary Ombudsman, celebrating their 30th anniversary.

Upcoming events:

• 3 December discussion on media accessibility
• 10 December discussion on rotation of state officials

Ombudsman educates

• Quality of municipal housing has improved significantly over the last decade
• Students and teachers of Kurzeme and Vidzeme region get to know the risks of human trafficking and find out where to seek help
• Respect as value is highlighted with is examples in the children rights conference
• Informs on the impact and risks of artificial intelligence for internal security
• Students learn about the work of the office and gain insight into lawyer’s profession
• Foreign colleagues acquire the practice of the Ombudsman’s research on sexual harassment
• Expert presents research on risks of AI systems in the Gender Equality Committee

Documents prepared by the Ombudsman’s Office:

• Guidelines for addressing risks of trafficking in human beings and labour exploitation in public procurement
• Opinion on the accessibility in the restored Valka recreation area
• Study on the accessibility of online survey platforms
• Opinion on discrimination on grounds of disability

In occasione del trentesimo anniversario dell’istituzione della difesa civica della Regione Abruzzo (1995–2025), il Difensore Civico regionale Umberto Di Primio promuove le Giornate di Studio della Difesa Civica Regionale dal titolo “Conosci le istituzioni, conosci i tuoi diritti”.

L’ appuntamento si terrà il 27 novembre 2025 presso la Sala Conferenze del Polo Didattico “Gabriele D’Annunzio” dell’Università di Teramo (UniTE), con un convegno dedicato a un tema di grande attualità:
“Diritto d’accesso, trasparenza e controllo diffuso. L’inerzia della Pubblica Amministrazione”.

Programma

Ore 16.30 – Saluti istituzionali

Ore 17.00 – Tavola rotonda
Il diritto d’accesso agli atti della Pubblica Amministrazione. Trasparenza e conoscenza civica sull’attività e l’inerzia della P.A.

Coordina:

• Umberto Di Primio, Difensore Civico della Regione Abruzzo

Intervengono:

• Salvatore Dettori, Dipartimento di Giurisprudenza – Università degli Studi di Teramo
  Accesso documentale e civico agli atti delle amministrazioni comunali, provinciali e regionali
• Diego De Carolis, Dipartimento di Giurisprudenza – Università degli Studi di Teramo
  L’accesso agli atti e i rimedi all’inerzia in materia urbanistica ed edilizia
• Rita Capanna Piscè, Avvocato del Foro di Teramo
  L’attività e gli strumenti dell’avvocato in materia di accesso agli atti
• Antonio Amicuzzi, già Presidente TAR Abruzzo – L’Aquila
  Strumenti ed effettività della tutela giurisdizionale del diritto di accesso

Conclusioni:

• Antonio Bartolini, Dipartimento di Giurisprudenza – Università degli Studi di Perugia

Questa iniziativa si inserisce nel percorso di celebrazione dei trent’anni di attività della Difesa Civica in Abruzzo, confermando il ruolo fondamentale dell’istituzione nel promuovere trasparenza, partecipazione e tutela dei diritti dei cittadini.

L’avv. Umberto Di Primio, Difensore civico della Regione Abruzzo ha così commentato: “Queste giornate di studio rappresentano un’occasione per riaffermare il valore della difesa civica come istituzione di prossimità, vicina ai cittadini e capace di rendere concreta la trasparenza amministrativa. A trent’anni dalla sua istituzione, la difesa civica dell’Abruzzo continua a essere un presidio di garanzia e ascolto, ma anche uno strumento di cultura civica e di collaborazione con le università, le amministrazioni e i professionisti. Solo attraverso la conoscenza delle istituzioni – e dei propri diritti – possiamo rafforzare la fiducia tra cittadini e pubblica amministrazione.”

El Defensor del Pueblo, Ángel Gabilondo, se ha reunido este viernes en la sede de la institución con la presidenta de la Asociación Española de Abogados de Familia (AEAFA), Mª Dolores López-Muelas.

Durante la reunión, han analizado algunos de los principales asuntos relacionados con el trabajo que realizan los abogados especializados en familia, menores y discapacidad, y también han tratado sobre quejas que recibe la institución Defensor del Pueblo en estas materias. 

AEAFA ha explicado, en el transcurso del encuentro, las dificultades que, a juicio de esta Asociación, genera la nueva La Ley Orgánica 1/2025, de 2 de enero, de Medidas de Eficiencia del Servicio Público de Justicia en los procedimientos en los que hay implicados menores de edad, como es la de acudir a los Medios Adecuados de Solución de Controversias (MASC) como requisito previo para presentar una demanda judicial.

En esta reunión han participado también los vocales Sabina Galdeano y Jesús Díaz, así como el director de Relaciones Institucionales de AEAFA, Miguel Manso. Por parte de la institución han asistido la directora del Gabinete del Defensor, Isabel Aymerich, y el director del Área de Seguridad y Justicia, Andrés Jiménez.

La Asociación Española de Abogados de Familia es una entidad sin ánimo de lucro que agrupa a letrados de familia de España. Su objetivo es impulsar la especialización y mejorar la formación de sus miembros, así como promover reformas en esta área del Derecho.