Trento, pubblicata la Relazione annuale 2025 del Difensore civico della Provincia autonoma.

Date of article: 28/07/2026

Daily News of: 31/07/2026

Country:  Italy

Author: Italian National Coordination Body of Regional and Autonomous Provinces Ombudsmen

Article language: it

È stata pubblicata sul sito istituzionale del Difensore civico della Provincia autonoma di Trento la Relazione annuale sull’attività svolta nel 2025, documento che offre un quadro completo dell’attività di tutela dei diritti dei cittadini nei confronti della pubblica amministrazione e delle iniziative promosse dall’Ufficio nel corso dell’anno.

La Relazione rappresenta uno strumento fondamentale di trasparenza e di rendicontazione istituzionale, attraverso il quale il Difensore civico riferisce al Consiglio provinciale sull’attività svolta, sulle principali criticità emerse e sulle proposte di miglioramento dell’azione amministrativa.

Nella premessa della Relazione, il Difensore civico della Provincia autonoma di Trento il Dott. Sandro Raimondi, evidenzia come l’esperienza maturata nei primi mesi del proprio mandato abbia confermato quanto i cittadini sentano l’esigenza di un rapporto diretto con le istituzioni, capace di andare oltre gli strumenti digitali e i semplici portali informatici. «Le questioni portate all’attenzione del Difensore civico – osserva – denotano la necessità del cittadino di avere un contatto diretto, una parola di indirizzo, una risposta pressoché immediata, un consiglio, una soluzione». Un richiamo che sottolinea il valore della difesa civica quale presidio di prossimità, ascolto e mediazione tra amministrazione e comunità. (Consiglio Provinciale di Trento)

Nella stessa introduzione viene inoltre riconosciuto come il sistema della pubblica amministrazione trentina sia complessivamente caratterizzato da elevati standard di qualità, pur permanendo alcune criticità riconducibili soprattutto alla crescente complessità del quadro normativo e regolamentare, che rende talvolta più difficile l’applicazione uniforme delle disposizioni da parte degli uffici. (Consiglio Provinciale di Trento)

Il Coordinamento Nazionale dei Difensori Civici delle Regioni e delle Province Autonome accoglie con favore la pubblicazione della Relazione annuale, che costituisce un importante contributo alla diffusione della cultura della buona amministrazione, della legalità e della tutela dei diritti.

La condivisione delle esperienze maturate nei diversi territori rappresenta infatti un patrimonio comune dell’intera rete della difesa civica italiana, favorendo lo scambio di buone pratiche, il confronto istituzionale e il continuo rafforzamento del ruolo del Difensore civico quale garante dei principi di imparzialità, trasparenza e buon andamento dell’azione amministrativa.

Il Coordinamento rinnova i complimenti al collega Difensore civico della Provincia autonoma di Trento e a tutto il personale dell’Ufficio per il lavoro svolto, nella convinzione che relazioni annuali come questa rappresentino un prezioso strumento di conoscenza, riflessione e crescita per l’intero sistema della difesa civica nazionale.

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François-Noël Buffet succède à Claire Hédon à la tête du Défenseur des droits

Date of article: 28/07/2026

Daily News of: 31/07/2026

Country:  France

Author:

Article language: fr

François-Noël Buffet a été nommé Défenseur des droits, sur proposition du Président de la République, à compter du 23 juillet 2026. Cette prise de fonction marque l’ouverture d’un nouveau mandat de six ans à la tête de l’institution.

François-Noël Buffet a été nommé, sur proposition du président de la République, et après avis du Parlement, pour un mandat de 6 ans, qui ne peut être ni renouvelé ni révoqué.

Monsieur Buffet a pu échanger ce 23 juillet avec Madame Claire Hédon, à laquelle il succède, et s’est présenté aux équipes du siège de l’institution.

Il se consacre dès aujourd’hui à ses nouvelles missions, à la tête de l’institution, au service de la protection et de la promotion des droits et libertés.


François-Noël Buffet est né le 28 août 1963 à Lyon. Il est avocat depuis 1990. 
Il s’engage parallèlement dans la vie publique locale. Conseiller municipal d’Oullins en 1990 puis adjoint au maire en 1995, il est élu maire en 1997 et réélu en 2001, 2008 et 2014.

En septembre 2004, il devient sénateur du Rhône. Il s’investit particulièrement dans les questions institutionnelles et régaliennes. Il est notamment rapporteur du budget Immigration, asile et intégration, vice président de la commission des lois, rapporteur de la commission d’enquête sur les frontières européennes, puis président de la commission spéciale chargée du contrôle des comptes du Sénat.

D’octobre 2020 jusqu’en 2024, il est président de la commission des lois du Sénat. Il préside également la délégation parlementaire au renseignement de 2021 à 2022 et conduit, de 2022 à 2024, le groupe de travail sénatorial sur les institutions.

Il siège comme juge titulaire à la Cour de justice de la République de 2008 à 2019.
Élu conseiller métropolitain de Lyon depuis 1995, il est reconduit en 2020.

Le 21 septembre 2024, il est nommé ministre auprès du Premier ministre, chargé des Outre mer. 

En décembre 2024, il devient ministre auprès du ministre de l’Intérieur. Il est chargé notamment des collectivités territoriales, des forces de sécurité et de la sécurité civile. Il anime le Beauvau des polices municipales et le Beauvau de la Sécurité civile. 

Ses fonctions ministérielles prennent fin en septembre 2025 et il redevient sénateur.

François-Noël Buffet est le Défenseur des droits depuis le 23 juillet 2026.

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El Defensor del Pueblo advierte sobre los casos de abusos o explotación en el sistema de protección de menores y formula recomendaciones a las administraciones competentes

Date of article: 30/07/2026

Daily News of: 31/07/2026

Country:  Spain

Author:

Article language: es

El Defensor del Pueblo, Ángel Gabilondo, acaba de registrar en las Cortes Generales el informe “El sistema de protección de menores ante los casos de violencia sexual” en el que formula once recomendaciones, a la Administración estatal y a diferentes órganos de las administraciones autonómicas con competencias en protección de la infancia y la adolescencia, para mejorar la protección de menores que se encuentran bajo la guarda y tutela de la Administración.

Ángel Gabilondo advierte sobre los casos de abusos o explotación en el sistema de protección de menores y subraya que “la violencia sexual sobre la infancia y la adolescencia es un gravísimo ataque a los derechos humanos que debe ser atajado, con rigor y firmeza, por la sociedad y por los poderes públicos”.

La institución Defensor del Pueblo, tras tener conocimiento por varias fuentes de diversos casos de abusos a menores que se encontraban en centros de protección, inició una actuación de oficio en el año 2022 con las administraciones públicas competentes para recabar información sobre esos casos y, al mismo tiempo, conocer los medios con los que cuentan las diferentes administraciones para hacerles frente.

La actuación, que se ha ido ampliando en los últimos años, se ha completado con la visita a varios centros de menores tutelados por la Administración: Residencia especializada en adaptación psicosocial Picón de Jarama, en Paracuellos de Jarama (Comunidad de Madrid); Centro Educativo Terapéutico CET-Gasteiz, en Vitoria-Gasteiz (País Vasco); Hogar de Protección Arrui y Centro Educativo Alea, en Molina de Segura (Región de Murcia); Casa d’Infants Quim Grau, en Hospitalet de Llobregat (Cataluña); Centro de Acogida Lucentum, en Alicante (Comunitat Valenciana); Centro Residencial Infantojuvenil Campillín, en Oviedo, y la Unidad Familiar Cayés, en Llanera (Asturias).

El objetivo de estas visitas era conocer de primera mano el contexto en el que se habían producido los abusos, cómo se habían detectado, cómo se había articulado el trabajo de los profesionales y cómo se había trabajado con las víctimas.

Recomendaciones

El informe pone de manifiesto que la mayoría de las administraciones no disponían de información de calidad y completa, ni estadísticamente tratada, sobre los casos de abusos o explotación sexual producidos mientras los menores se encontraban al amparo del sistema de protección.

El Defensor del Pueblo ha recomendado, al respecto, que tanto al Ministerio de Juventud e Infancia como a los órganos competentes en las administraciones autonómicas elaboren un estudio sobre el riesgo de explotación y abuso sexual de los menores que se encuentran al amparo del sistema de protección, tanto en los centros residenciales de protección como en familias de acogida. Además, se les ha solicitado que impulsen la puesta en marcha del Registro Unificado de Servicios Sociales de Violencia Infantil y el Registro Central de Información sobre Violencia contra la Infancia y Adolescencia, previstos en la Ley de Protección Integral a la Infancia y la Adolescencia frente a la Violencia.

Asimismo, se ha recomendado que cada comunidad autónoma apruebe la disposición general que regule las condiciones de autorización y funcionamiento de los centros residenciales de protección de menores en su territorio, con los requisitos mínimos que han de cumplir en materia de organización, personal técnico y auxiliar, materiales, protocolos de actuación y régimen de infracciones y sanciones.

También se ha recordado, en las recomendaciones emitidas, que la normativa vigente prevé que todas las entidades públicas de protección de menores han de contar con protocolos de actuación para la prevención, detección precoz e intervención frente a situaciones de violencia sexual, por lo que ha recomendado que las que aún no dispongan de ellos procedan a su aprobación.

Además, la institución sugiere ampliar la formación de los profesionales de estos centros en materia de detección, abordaje y acompañamiento de las situaciones de violencia sexual, y que se cuente con la figura del técnico referente en violencia y explotación sexual. También se recomienda la implementación de programas educativos sobre una vida afectivo-sexual saludable y sobre seguridad en las redes sociales para los menores que se encuentran en el sistema de protección.

Según el Defensor de Pueblo es prioritario, y así figura en las recomendaciones recogidas en el informe, que las entidades públicas de protección de la infancia y la adolescencia elaboren un plan de revisión de los recursos residenciales de que disponen, para ajustar la oferta residencial y se atienda a los menores de conformidad con sus singularidades. Y que se diferencie con claridad entre centros de acogida residencial, centros específicos de protección para problemas de conducta, y centros terapéuticos o de atención a la discapacidad.

Por otra parte, la institución Defensor del Pueblo ha formulado una recomendación a la Secretaría de Estado de Justicia (Ministerio de Presidencia, Justicia y Relaciones con las Cortes) para que se promueva la creación de más instancias judiciales especializadas en el ámbito de la violencia sobre la infancia y la adolescencia. Y para que se refuerce la atención multidisciplinar a los menores de edad víctimas de explotación sexual y se evite la revictimización.

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The Ombudsman insists that the Mayor of Stara Zagora postpone the demolition of buildings in Lozenets neighbourhood

Date of article: 27/07/2026

Daily News of: 31/07/2026

Country:  Bulgaria

Author:

Article language: en

The forceful demolition of buildings in Lozenets neighbourhood scheduled for today, 27 July 2026, should be postponed until an up-to-date individual assessment of the situation of each affected household is carried out and specific measures are taken to protect those at risk of becoming homeless.

The forceful demolition of buildings in Lozenets neighbourhood scheduled for today, 27 July 2026, should be postponed until an up-to-date individual assessment of the situation of each affected household is carried out and specific measures are taken to protect those at risk of becoming homeless.

This is the request made in a letter to the Mayor of Stara Zagora Municipality Zhivko Todorov, signed by the Deputy Ombudsman Maria Filipova.

The letter was sent following an inspection carried out by a team from the Institution of the municipal administration and on site in the neighbourhood on 23 July 2026. The forthcoming enforcement proceedings cover 30 residential buildings for which demolition orders have been issued under the Spatial Planning Act.

The inspection found that the social assessment submitted by the local municipality had been carried out on 13 July 2026 – more than five months after the enforcement order was issued and just nine days before the originally scheduled demolition date. The document covers only 13 households surveyed and does not contain complete and reliable data on all the buildings, affected families and children.

The Institution’s experts have also identified significant discrepancies between the information provided by the local municipality, the social assessment and the statements made by the residents themselves. Six of the households surveyed explicitly stated that they had nowhere to go and needed accommodation. Those affected include children, people with disabilities and people with serious health problems.

Particularly concerning is the case of a person with a severe chronic illness who requires regular haemodialysis. Transport to a dialysis centre has been arranged for this person, but this does not eliminate the risk to his health. The continuity of treatment depends not only on access to the medical facility, but also on the availability of accommodation with basic living and hygiene conditions, where the person can recover after each procedure. Having his home demolished without suitable alternative accommodation being provided in advance could jeopardise his health.

Also, it is particularly worrying that no cases have been opened for the affected children with the Child Protection Department, nor has any assessment been carried out as to how the demolition of their homes will affect them and what measures are needed to protect them. According to representatives of the social services, such measures could only be taken once the buildings had been demolished. The letter categorically emphasises that the protection of children must precede the demolition, rather than beginning only after the harm has occurred.

The document states that the illegality of a building, as such, does not exempt the authorities from the obligation to carry out an individual assessment of proportionality before depriving a person of their home. This requirement stems from the European Convention on Human Rights and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights in the cases of ‘Yordanova and Others v. Bulgaria’ and ‘Ivanova and Cherkezov v. Bulgaria’.

The letter points out that, at present, there is insufficient evidence to justify the going ahead with the forceful demolition on 27 July in respect of all those affected.

The Mayor of Stara Zagora is expected to postpone implementation until an up-to-date individual assessment of each household has been carried out, including an assessment of the risk of homelessness, the consequences for each child affected, and the specific needs of people with disabilities, the elderly and those with serious health problems.

It is also recommended that specific measures be taken and duly documented to prevent homelessness, including the provision of genuinely accessible and suitable alternative accommodation for households that are unable to secure housing for themselves.

 
PRESS CENTER 
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FRA bulletin highlights continuing human rights challenges in migration across Europe

Date of article: 27/07/2026

Daily News of: 31/07/2026

Country:  Malta

Author:

Article language: en

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has published the latest edition of its Migration and Fundamental Rights Bulletin, examining developments affecting the rights of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees between April and June 2026. The bulletin provides an overview of emerging trends and identifies areas where continued vigilance is required to ensure that migration policies remain firmly anchored in respect for fundamental rights.

Among the most significant developments during the reporting period was the entry into force of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum on 12 June 2026. The bulletin notes that the new legal framework introduces important obligations for Member States, including the establishment of independent mechanisms to monitor compliance with fundamental rights during screening and border asylum procedures. While progress has been made, FRA observes that implementation remains uneven across the European Union and that many monitoring mechanisms are still in the process of becoming fully operational.

The report also highlights the continuing humanitarian situation at Europe's external borders. It records persistent fatalities at sea, allegations of summary returns, violence and restricted access to asylum procedures, while expressing concern that inadequate investigations into alleged rights violations risk creating a perception of impunity and undermining the rule of law. At the same time, FRA points to encouraging developments in judicial scrutiny and increased monitoring efforts aimed at strengthening accountability.

A significant section of the bulletin is dedicated to the role of independent monitoring. FRA underlines that effective oversight mechanisms are essential for preventing human rights violations, supporting objective investigations, strengthening transparency and reinforcing public trust. The Agency notes that in many Member States these responsibilities are being entrusted to Ombudsman institutions, National Human Rights Institutions and other independent statutory bodies, recognising the important contribution these institutions make in safeguarding fundamental rights. The bulletin also highlights that the first monitoring exercises under the new mechanism will take place during the second half of 2026, with Bulgaria, Malta and Slovakia identified as the first three Member States to be assessed. The assessments will also examine contingency planning for reception and asylum, marking an important milestone in the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum and its safeguards for fundamental rights.

he findings of the FRA bulletin also echo observations made by the Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, in his article The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum comes into force on the 12 June 2026 – Part 3, published earlier this year. In that article, the Ombudsman emphasised that independent monitoring is an essential safeguard to ensure that border management fully respects fundamental rights. He noted that such oversight strengthens, rather than hinders, effective migration management by promoting transparency, accountability and public confidence, while ensuring that vulnerable persons are protected throughout the screening process.

The bulletin also examines the evolving situation of persons displaced by the war in Ukraine. As Member States begin transitioning from temporary protection towards national residence permit schemes, FRA stresses the importance of ensuring that vulnerable groups continue to enjoy effective access to residence rights and essential services. The report notes improvements in employment, education and housing for many displaced persons while warning that legal uncertainty and unequal national approaches remain important human rights concerns.

In addition, the bulletin reviews the implementation of the EU's Entry/Exit System, which became fully operational in April 2026. While recognising its contribution to border management, FRA highlights the need to ensure that its operation respects fundamental rights, including data protection, proportionality and the dignity of travellers, particularly vulnerable persons affected by long waiting times and practical implementation challenges.

The publication serves as an important reminder that effective migration management and the protection of fundamental rights are complementary objectives. By monitoring developments across the European Union and identifying both progress and persistent challenges, the FRA continues to support Member States and European institutions in ensuring that migration policies uphold human dignity, the rule of law and the values enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

FRA Migration and Fundamental Rights Bulletin

 

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