El Defensor del Pueblo, Ángel Gabilondo, se ha reunido este miércoles con el ministro de Política Territorial y Memoria Democrática, Ángel Víctor Torres, en la sede del Ministerio.

Durante el encuentro han abordado la situación de los menores migrantes solicitantes de asilo que han de ser trasladados desde las Islas Canarias a la península.

El pasado mes de mayo la institución Defensor del Pueblo registró en las Cortes Generales el informe Niñas y niños extranjeros en España solos o acompañados en el que se concluye, entre otras cosas, que los menores migrantes, acompañados o no, se enfrentan a prácticas administrativas que no ponen en el centro su condición de menores de edad. 

On Thursday 24 July 2025 Ombudsman, Ger Deering, and Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further their shared commitment towards working together as effectively as possible in the public interest.

The role of both Ombudsman Offices is to investigate complaints from the public about public services, obtain redress where appropriate and use the outcomes of investigations to improve public administration. The Office of the Ombudsman investigates complaints about the actions of public bodies affecting adults, while the Ombudsman for Children deals with complaints affecting children (those under 18 years of age).

There can be situations in which an action of a public body adversely affects both a child and an adult. The MoU builds on the existing engagement between both Offices and provides a formal basis for cooperation to address and deal with such instances appropriately.

Welcoming the signing of the MoU, Ombudsman Ger Deering said:

“We want to ensure the easiest and quickest access for people raising concerns about public services. The MoU strengthens existing arrangements between our two Offices, helping to quickly redirect complaints to the most suitable body in the specific circumstances concerned, and ultimately contributing to the delivery of better and fairer public services for all.”

Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon said:

“An effective MoU between the Ombudsman’s Office and the Ombudsman for Children’s Office helps us to make sure that nobody falls between the cracks. This MoU ensures that we direct the right people to the right service when they need it. We will continue to build on the positive relationship between both offices.”

The MoU is available here on our website

With 123 votes in favour, 92 against and 5 abstentions, MPs elected Velislava Delcheva as the new Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria. She was supported by the votes of GERB-SDS, BSP-United Left, ITN, DPS-New Beginning, and four independent MPs.

18 July 2025

With 123 votes in favour, 92 against and 5 abstentions, MPs elected Velislava Delcheva as the new Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria. She was supported by the votes of GERB-SDS, BSP-United Left, ITN, DPS-New Beginning, and four independent MPs.

"I would like to thank you for the support you have given me today, as I am aware that I have a serious task ahead of me to live up to the high expectations and the trust placed in me. I will not make any promises because I know that there is a lot of work ahead, and it requires action, not words," said the new Ombudsman.

Delcheva stated that she was taking the oath with a clear understanding of the responsibility she was assuming not only before the members of parliament but above all before the Bulgarian people, and emphasized that the institution was of enormous importance.

 "It has been 20 years since the first Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria was elected, and the work of the previous four Ombudsmen has contributed to citizens recognizing the institution as a true defender of their interests and rights. This will continue to be the case in the future," promised Velislava Delcheva.

She was adamant that the Institution's agenda would continue to be determined by citizens and that protecting them against violations and unlawful infringements of their rights would be a priority in the Ombudsman's work.

"Not only will I raise the alarm when rights are violated, but I hope that together with you we will find solutions to the problems," the Ombudsman told the members of parliament.

Velislava Delcheva emphasized that she would rely on good cooperation with the National Assembly and good dialogue with the executive and local authorities, because every neglected recommendation would mean a neglected and ignored call for help, and this was not the role of institutions in a democratic society.

 "I will be pro-active and persistent as much as necessary to raise the alarm about all pressing issues and ensure that the latest case or bug in the system is fixed," Velislava Delcheva added, committing herself to working to protect the fundamental rights of citizens in line with all European and international standards.

Delcheva emphasized she firmly believed that "human rights are a supreme value, and their implementation is not and should not be a superficial imitation."

Zu einem Gedankenaustausch mit Regierungskommissär Vito Cusumano und Amtsleiterin Margherita Toth fanden sich kürzlich Volksanwältin Veronika Meyer, die Verantwortliche für die Antidiskriminierungsstelle Südtirol, Priska Garbin, und Alessandra Orlandi, Sachbearbeiterin bei der Volksanwaltschaft, im Herzogspalast ein. 

Im Mittelpunkt der  Unterredung standen bürgernahe Verwaltung, Rekurse gegen meldeamtliche Verfügungen und Antidiskriminierung in seinen zahlreichen Facetten.

„Der Regierungskommissär ist mittlerweile seit acht Jahren in Bozen und kennt Land und Leute gut. Eine effiziente, bürgernahe Verwaltung ist ihm ein genauso großes Anliegen wie der Volksanwaltschaft, deren Beratung die Bürgerinnen und Bürger viel und gerne in Anspruch nehmen, wenn sie Vorgehensweisen der öffentlichen Verwaltung nicht nachvollziehen können. Insofern war der Austausch mit Cusumano für uns wichtig, und wir werden miteinander im Gespräch bleiben“, sagt Volksanwältin Veronika Meyer.

Laut Priska Garbin, der Verantwortlichen der Antidiskriminierungsstelle Südtirol, ist für die neuen Mitbürger:innen in Südtirol auch der Antrag zur Registrierung des meldeamtlichen Wohnsitzes immer wieder ein steiniger Weg. „Wenn die Antidiskriminierungsstelle in solchen Fällen mit dem Meldeamt keine Lösung erzielt, bleibt für Betroffene nur noch ein gerichtliches Verfahren oder ein Rekurs beim Regierungskommissariat. Leider häufen sich die Fälle. Das erklärt auch, warum die Wartezeiten für die Behandlung eines Rekurses dort mittlerweile über ein Jahr betragen. Der Regierungskommissär kennt die Problematik, verwies aber gleichzeitig auch auf das Procedere, in das ausländische Staaten einbezogen seien und die oft Monate brauchten, um Beurkundungen zuzustellen. Weil sowohl die Antidiskriminierungsstelle als auch das Regierungskommissariat gleichermaßen mit dieser Thematik befasst sind, sind solche Treffen besonders wichtig und für beide Seiten aufschlussreich“, so Priska Garbin.

Nei giorni scorsi, presso il Palazzo Ducale, si è svolto un incontro tra la difensora civica Veronika Meyer, la responsabile del Centro Antidiscriminazione Priska Garbin e la collaboratrice Alessandra Orlandi, con il Commissario del Governo Vito Cusumano e la direttrice d’ufficio Margherita Toth. 

Al centro del dialogo: efficienza amministrativa, un’amministrazione a misura di cittadino, ricorsi contro provvedimenti anagrafici e discriminazione in tutte le sue forme.

La difensora civica Veronika Meyer ha sottolineato: «Il Commissario del Governo è ormai da otto anni a Bolzano, così da conoscere bene il territorio e le persone che ci vivono. Un’amministrazione efficiente e vicina ai cittadini è per lui tanto importante quanto lo è per la difesa civica, della cui consulenza si avvalgono frequentemente e volentieri i cittadini e le cittadine quando non riescono a comprendere le procedure della pubblica amministrazione. A questo proposito, lo scambio con il Commissario Cusumano è stato importante e verrà proseguito.»

Secondo Priska Garbin, responsabile del Centro Antidiscriminazione, la richiesta di registrazione della residenza anagrafica rappresenta per molti nuove cittadine e molte nuovi cittadini dell’Alto Adige un percorso irto di ostacoli: «Quando il Centro Antidiscriminazione non riesce a trovare un’intesa con l’anagrafe, il procedimento giudiziario o il ricorso al Commissariato del Governo risulta l’unica opzione percorribile per l’interessato o l’interessata. Purtroppo, il numero di casi è in costante aumento. Questo spiega i tempi d’attesa per l’esame di un ricorso, che ormai superano l’anno. Il Commissario è a conoscenza di tale problematica, precisando tuttavia che nelle procedure sono coinvolti Stati esteri, i quali spesso impiegano mesi a rilasciare certificazioni. Poiché la questione interessa sia il Centro Antidiscriminazione che il Commissariato del Governo, incontri di questo tipo risultano particolarmente importanti e utili per entrambe le parti.»