El Defensor del Pueblo, Ángel Gabilondo, se ha dirigido a la alcaldesa del municipio murciano de Jumilla para solicitar información sobre la prohibición de llevar a cabo celebraciones religiosas en instalaciones municipales, tras la moción aprobada en el último Pleno municipal.

A través de esta actuación de oficio, el Defensor del Pueblo quiere conocer “el contenido del acuerdo adoptado por el Pleno municipal del pasado 6 de agosto con la indicación de  las medidas previstas a fin de facilitar el ejercicio de los actos de culto a las confesiones religiosas que, por sus singulares características, hayan de ser celebrados en lugares públicos tales como pabellones o polideportivos”.

Since January 1, 2025, the Parliamentary Ombudspersons’ Office has assumed the role of the National Rapporteur on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. Previously, this responsibility was held by the Ministry of the Interior. The decision to transfer this function to the Parliamentary Ombudspersons’ Office was made to ensure the independence of the National Rapporteur from involvement in the formulation, implementation, and coordination of state policy related to combating human trafficking.  

The Parliamentary Ombudspersons’ Office has issued a report of the situation on combating human trafficking in the Republic of Lithuania in 2024. The report highlights key positive changes, challenges, and systemic issues identified in the field of combating human trafficking in 2024, as well as provides relevant recommendations to state institutions and agencies. 

The latest report reveals that conditions remain favorable for trafficking in human beings, with rising numbers of foreign victims and inconsistent institutional responses.  

A favourable environment for trafficking in human beings 

The 2024 report on the situation of human trafficking in Lithuania shows that conditions are favourable both for the recruitment of Lithuanian citizens for exploitation abroad and for the exploitation of third-country nationals within Lithuania. The number of third-country victims increased significantly over the past year. Among the 22 officially recognised victims, 18 were citizens of third countries, most commonly from Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Belarus. All of these individuals were subjected to forced labour exploitation, primarily in the transport sector. 

In total, 26 pre-trial investigations were ongoing in 2024, with 17 new investigations, (27% increase compared to 2023). Almost half of these new cases concerned trafficking for labour exploitation, others involved sexual exploitation, exploitation for criminal activities (such as theft), forced begging, and two cases involving child trafficking (illegal adoption), one of which was related to surrogate motherhood. Notably, Lithuania was identified as the country of destination in 82% of new cases, 50% more than in 2023, underscoring its growing attractiveness to traffickers.  

It is noteworthy that in 2024, for the first time since 2010, no human trafficking cases were referred to the courts of first instance. A total of 12 individuals (2 women and 10 men) were convicted, half as many as in 2023. In the same period, charges were brought against 27 individuals and one legal entity. This shows a clear increase compared to the previous year, even as case referrals to courts declined. 

Official statistics do not reflect reality 

Most identified victims were men aged 31– 40. Notably, no victims aged 18–20 were recorded in 2024, while there were victims also including individuals aged 51– 60 and over 60 years old. Such a tendency reveals the broader vulnerability of affected groups. However, pre-trial investigation data does not reflect the true scale and demographics of human trafficking. In reality, far more adults of both genders and children fall victim to this crime. For example, trafficking for sexual exploitation remains widespread across the European Union, yet in Lithuania, only 3 pre-trial investigations were initiated on this basis last year, one of which was discontinued. 

“Criminal groups often manage to evade law enforcement and manipulate their victims to the extent that they rarely perceive themselves as victims of trafficking. Victims are also reluctant to seek help due to fear of retaliation from traffickers, mistrust of authorities, feelings of shame, or lack of legal residency in the country,” says Parliamentary Ombudsperson Dr. Erika Leonaitė. She emphasizes that victims are often deceived or exploited because of their vulnerability linked to poverty, addiction, or disability. 

The much higher actual number of victims is also reflected in data provided by non-governmental organisations. Last year, they provided comprehensive assistance to 107 new victims of trafficking, and 132 people received continuing support. Most assistance services included information and counselling, help with personal documentation, support for integration into society, job search and employment assistance, and legal services. 

Diverging approaches of national institutions 

In 2024, state and municipal institutions participated in national and international training for professionals and experts, carried out awareness campaigns, and disseminated information about trafficking forms, risks, appropriate responses, and available support. Furthermore, Lithuania adopted its third national action plan against trafficking in human beings for the year of 2024-2026 to ensure progress in tackling this issue. 

Despite these efforts, the response to human trafficking remains uneven, depending on available resources, institutional policies, and the attitudes of staff. Many systemic challenges remain, including the absence of an effective mechanism for recognising victims who are reluctant to engage with law enforcement, the limited funding available for NGOs, and a lack of proactive identification of potential victims. 

According to Seimas Ombudsperson Dr Jolita Miliuvienė, these differences are particularly evident among municipalities: “Nearly one-third of municipalities choose not to take measures because they do not perceive human trafficking as a problem in their regions. Since they are not legally obliged to implement trafficking prevention measures, those municipalities that do take action do so on their initiative or based on recommendations.” 

Recommendations: more consistency, resources, and accountability 

The Parliamentary Ombudspersons’ Office has issued recommendations to ministries and other governmental institutions, urging them to strengthen efforts to combat human trafficking by improving legislation, allocating dedicated budgets, and expanding specialized training. It also recommended enhancing cooperation between state and municipal institutions and assisting non-governmental organisations to ensure more effective prevention and better support for victims. 

The report further stresses the need to guarantee assistance and ensure its accessibility for all victims of trafficking, regardless of whether they have been formally recognized as victims by law enforcement. These recommendations align with Directive (EU) 2024/1712, amending Directive 2011/36/EU, which calls for a comprehensive, victim-centered approach to prevention, protection, and prosecution.  

Read the full report in Lithuanian here. 

Confronto tra la Difensora civica Meyer, il direttore generale IPES Palfrader, la direttrice della Ripartizione Alloggi e inquilinato IPES Tschenett e il direttore della Ripartizione provinciale Edilizia abitativa Walder sulla Riforma Abitare 2025 e le domande di cittadine e cittadini.

La Difensora civica Veronika Meyer e la sua collaboratrice Nathalie Peri hanno recentemente incontrato il direttore generale dell’Istituto per l’edilizia sociale (IPES) Wilhelm Palfrader e la direttrice della Ripartizione Alloggi e inquilinato IPES Barbara Tschenett, nonché Stefan Walder, direttore della Ripartizione Edilizia abitativa dell'amministrazione provinciale, per uno scambio di idee sul tema "Edilizia abitativa in Alto Adige". Temi centrali del confronto sono stati la riforma Abitare 2025 recentemente approvata dal Consiglio provinciale e le varie domande che la Difesa civica riceve in merito all’IPES e all’attività di consulenza attuale e futura.

"Cittadine e cittadini si rivolgono molto frequentemente alla Difesa civica con domande sull'edilizia sovvenzionata e sociale. L'ampia gamma di argomenti in questo ambito include l'attuale sistema di pre-registrazione per le consultazioni sui sussidi per l'alloggio, nonché i requisiti per gli appartamenti dell’IPES, in particolare per le persone con disabilità, la manutenzione degli appartamenti dell’IPES o il livello di rumore lamentato dagli inquilini in alcuni condomini", spiega la Difensora civica Veronika Meyer. “Uno scambio costante tra Difesa civica e l'amministrazione è quindi essenziale e utile al fine di fornire ai cittadini informazioni in modo rapido, competente e comprensibile. Spesso si tratta semplicemente di spiegare alle persone la procedura fornendo informazioni di base, ad esempio per quanto riguarda l'attuale sistema digitale di prenotazione per le consultazioni nel campo dei sussidi per l'alloggio e che il fatto che il calendario possa attualmente essere visualizzato solo per due mesi alla volta è dovuto al motivo che si tratta di una standardizzazione da parte dell'amministrazione pubblica”. 

Durante l'incontro sono state discusse anche le novità più importanti della riforma abitativa 2025. "Al momento, non stiamo ricevendo alcuna richiesta in merito. Tuttavia, sappiamo per esperienza che questo può cambiare molto rapidamente. Pertanto, un continuo trasferimento di conoscenze sullo stato attuale delle cose è importante", sottolinea Veronika Meyer. Secondo la Difensora civica, il fatto che tre dirigenti sia dell'IPES che della Ripartizione Edilizia abitativa abbiano preso parte all'incontro sottolinea l'importanza dell'argomento e l'attenzione dell'amministrazione pubblica verso le esigenze cittadini.

Councils should respond to all recommendations made during independent complaints investigations, says the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman after it upheld a mother’s complaint about London Borough of Waltham Forest.

The issue is being highlighted after the mother of a disabled child asked the Ombudsman to investigate the way the outer London council responded to her complaint. This was about several issues including failing to meet her child’s social care needs.

As part of the council’s complaint investigation, carried out through the statutory children’s complaints procedure, the investigating officer agreed it was appropriate for Waltham Forest to carry out an independent review of its support for children with disabilities.

The council then failed to mention this agreed outcome when it contacted the mother, or to complete the review, and the mother made her complaint to the Ombudsman.

The report comes after the Ombudsman called for the statutory complaints process for cases involving children to be urgently reviewed following reports against two other local authorities which highlighted failings in how complaints had been handled.

Ms Amerdeep Somal, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, said:

“Once again, I am compelled to report on issues I have found with a local council’s handling of the children’s statutory complaint procedure.

“In this case the council’s independent investigation agreed with the parent that a review of the system of support for children with disabilities should be carried out, but the council has not responded.

“This missed opportunity to look at ways it could improve services can have only exacerbated the frustration felt by the mother, after her complaint was upheld.

“We have previously investigated other complaints the mother has brought to us following the children’s statutory complaints procedure. In those cases, we also found Waltham Forest had either failed to respond to the recommendations, or failed or delayed completing the recommendations made.

“As a result I have concerns about the council’s ability to administer the children’s statutory complaints procedure, monitor its compliance with the actions it has agreed to take and effectively provide appropriate redress or improve practice to prevent future injustice for families in the borough.

“I hope the improvements the council has agreed to undertake as a result of my report will result in better outcomes in future.”

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman remedies injustice and shares learning from investigations to help improve public, and adult social care, services. In this case the council has agreed to apologise to the mother and pay her £500 for the frustration, uncertainty and erosion of trust. It will also write to her to tell her if it will complete an independent review of its system of support for children with disabilities.

The Ombudsman has the power to make recommendations to improve processes for the wider public. In this case the council has agreed to provide training for relevant council officers, and review how it looks at recommendations made through the children’s statutory complaint procedure.

Article date: 06 August 2025

El Instituto Foral de Bienestar Social (IFBS) de la Diputación Foral de Álava ha comunicado al Ararteko su decisión de modificar el sistema de acceso al registro administrativo para permitir la atención presencial sin necesidad de cita previa. Así, da cumplimiento a la recomendación formulada por esta institución recientemente.

En su resolución, el Ararteko pidió al IFBS que eliminara la obligatoriedad de la cita previa para la mera presentación de solicitudes, escritos o documentación en el registro administrativo, habilitándola únicamente como opción voluntaria. Se insistía, además, en diferenciar entre los trámites generales y aquellos que requieran atención técnica o especializada.

En su respuesta, la Diputación Foral de Álava ha confirmado que, desde este momento, la ciudadanía podrá acceder al servicio de registro con o sin cita previa, dentro del horario ordinario de atención al público. La cita previa se mantiene como opción para quien lo desee, con el fin de mejorar la organización del servicio y reducir tiempos de espera, pero no será un requisito obligatorio para el acceso al registro.

Asimismo, ha comunicado que actualizará la información disponible en la web institucional para reflejar esta nueva operativa y que se garantizará que las personas con mayores dificultades para utilizar medios tecnológicos podrán gestionar sus citas por vía telefónica o presencial, con el apoyo del personal administrativo.

El ente foral también ha precisado que determinados procedimientos, como la solicitud del título de familia numerosa o la valoración de situaciones de dependencia o discapacidad, seguirán gestionándose mediante cita previa, al tratarse de actuaciones que incluyen tanto la entrega de documentación como la resolución del expediente en un único acto. En estos casos, se requiere una intervención técnica individualizada.

El Ararteko valora de forma positiva esta decisión que refuerza la accesibilidad de los servicios públicos y evita que la cita previa actúe como barrera para ejercer el derecho de relación con la administración.

Vitoria-Gasteiz, 7 de agosto de 2025