Incontro di coordinamento delle Difensore civiche e dei Difensori civici delle Regioni e delle Province autonome. Tra i temi discussi, anche le notifiche amministrative tramite la piattaforma digitale SEND.

La collaborazione su questioni di interesse comune per cittadine e cittadini è stata al centro dell’incontro nazionale di coordinamento delle Difensore civiche e dei Difensori civici delle Regioni e Province autonome italiane svoltosi a fine gennaio a Milano. 
Nella due giorni di confronto, la Difensora civica Veronika Meyer ha presentato alcuni temi attualmente rilevanti per l’Alto Adige, tra cui aspetti critici del sistema digitale di notifica SEND della pubblica amministrazione e le modalità di pagamento tramite PagoPA. “In particolare, questo sistema di notifica di provvedimenti e richieste di pagamento, che in Alto Adige è attualmente utilizzato dal Comune di Bolzano, sta creando difficoltà all'utenza con competenze digitali più limitate, e comporta un maggiore onere economico in termini di spese di elaborazione”, riferisce Meyer: “A seguito del confronto con le colleghe e i colleghi a Palazzo Pirelli a Milano, verrà ora avviato un dialogo istituzionale con il Ministero per approfondire il funzionamento del servizio e valutare possibili proposte di miglioramento. L’obiettivo è contribuire a garantire il giusto equilibrio tra innovazione digitale ed efficace tutela dei diritti di cittadine e cittadini".

Las instituciones homólogas del Defensor del Pueblo en el conjunto del país han trasladado al Defensor del Pueblo Andaluz en funciones, Jesús Maeztu, su solidaridad, apoyo y condolencias a las familias y seres queridos de las víctimas del accidente ferroviario ocurrido en el término municipal de Adamuz (Córdoba), así como su cercanía a todas las personas afectadas.

Los defensores han reconocido la respuesta ejemplar del pueblo de Adamuz, con muestras de generosidad y solidaridad desde el primer instante, y el apoyo de vecinos y vecinas voluntarios que se volcaron para ayudar a paliar las consecuencias de la tragedia.

Del mismo modo, los defensores nos han expresado su satisfacción por la colaboración leal de las administraciones y la coordinación de los dispositivos activados, que han resultado esenciales para atender la emergencia, salvar vidas y asistir a las personas heridas y a sus familias.

El Defensor del Pueblo Andaluz agradece especialmente ese abrazo compartido, dirigido a las familias de las víctimas y a todas las personas afectadas, pero también al personal que, desde la Defensoría y desde los servicios públicos, continúa trabajando para acompañar y respaldar a las víctimas de esta tragedia. Para Jesús Maeztu, este gesto reconforta y nos recuerda que, incluso en los momentos más difíciles, las instituciones pueden hablar con humanidad y ponerse al lado de quienes sufren. 

El Defensor ha subrayado que, detrás de cada mensaje recibido, hay algo más que una fórmula institucional: hay compañerismo, cercanía y una comprensión profunda de lo que significa acompañar a la ciudadanía cuando el dolor irrumpe de forma inesperada.

On January 30, 2026, Deputy Public Defender Irine Chikhladze, together with the employees of the Public Defender's Office, monitored housing services for persons with Disabilities in the Senaki and Zugdidi municipalities.

Within the framework of the visits, the Deputy Public Defender inspected the external and internal infrastructure of the institutions, the living and dining spaces of the beneficiaries; met with representatives of the service administration, staff and beneficiaries, and received information about their challenges and needs.

The Public Defender, as a monitoring mechanism for the promotion, protection and implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, constantly supervises the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities.

The new Human Rights Ombudswoman Dr. Simona Drenik Bavdek, is convinced that the Ombudsman is an institution whose task is to remind the state authorities that humanity is the measure of justice. Human rights are one of the most important achievements of civilization and a shared value of society as a whole. They are universal, inalienable, and indivisible, belonging to everyone regardless of their personal circumstances. That is why they must be actively protected, strengthened, developed, and awareness of them must be spread.

At today's session on February 3 2026, the members of the National Assembly elected Dr. Simona Drenik Bavdek as the new Human Rights Ombudswoman with 62 votes in favor. Upon her election, she expressed her gratitude for the trust and support shown by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr. Nataša Pirc Musar, by those who nominated her candidacy, and by the Members of Parliament who supported the proposal. “I understand this trust as a responsibility to the institution, and above all to the people and the constitutional values on which our democratic community is founded,” she said.

Dr. Drenik Bavdek emphasized that, within the system of checks and balances, the Ombudsman provides individuals with informal protection of human rights, which is free of charge, anonymous, and confidential. She reminded us that human rights cannot be taken for granted. "The Ombudsman is not an authoritative body; its power lies in the power of argument. Almost a year without leadership of the institution with a full mandate has clearly shown how important it is for the Ombudsman institution to have a stable and independent mandate. The time we live in requires a strong, independent, and proactive human rights institution that responds effectively and swiftly to contemporary challenges: from the impact of the climate crisis, artificial intelligence and digital technologies, to disinformation and growing polarization, to structural inequalities, the need for better accessibility of public services and long-term care. The Ombudsman must be an institution that responds to these challenges professionally, promptly, decisively and with an eye to the future," she said upon her election, stressing that it is the Ombudsman’s task to persist in upholding human rights as the standard for every public decision, even in the most complex social circumstances.

"The Ombudsman is the voice of the people, of all those whose human rights and fundamental freedoms have been or are being violated, that is civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as so-called third- and fourth-generation human rights. In dialogue with the state, the Ombudsman makes proposals, gives opinions and offers criticism. It also makes recommendations for redressing injustices and to implement international and constitutional human rights standards. Violations of rights cause suffering, increase administrative and institutional burdens, deepen social tensions and also have tangible financial consequences. Therefore, I will devote all my energy and knowledge to ensuring that, under my leadership, the Ombudsman's institution performs its tasks actively, professionally and with a clear commitment to its independent function,” emphasized the new Human Rights Ombudswoman.

Dr. Drenik Bavdek also stresses that she will pay special attention to the implementation of international human rights standards into the Slovenian legal order, in particular the conventions of the Council of Europe and all eight core international instruments adopted within the framework of the United Nations, to which Slovenia is a party.

She will also advocate for the establishment of a children's rights ombudsman in Slovenia, who would be able to operate autonomously within the Ombudsman's institution. She aims to strengthen the Ombudsman's activities in the areas of awareness-raising, education, and training on human rights, more systematic monitoring of the rule of law, assessment of the human rights impacts of legislative proposals and the submission of requests for constitutional and legality review to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia if the competent authorities do not give due consideration to the Ombudsman’s recommendations and warnings.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, met members of the National Climate Action Council and the Chief Executive Officer of the Climate Action Authority to discuss current challenges related to climate change and the national response to these challenges.

During the meeting, the Ombudsman stressed the importance of public awareness of the effects of climate change and the role that every individual can play in addressing it. He underlined that climate change should be viewed through a human rights lens, noting that its adverse effects are already causing significant harm through floods, droughts, storms, and other extreme events that undermine livelihoods and increase vulnerability.

Reference was made to the recent storm experienced in Malta. Although not necessarily attributed to the effect of climate change, the event was described as a reminder of the increasing risks posed by extreme weather conditions and the need for preparedness and awareness.

The Chairperson of the National Climate Action Council, Prof Simone Borg, outlined the work of the Council. The Council is an independent statutory body composed of eight members with expertise in climate related fields. It focuses on three main pillars of climate action: decarbonisation, adaptation, and governance. Through these pillars, the Council supports Malta’s transition to a low carbon economy, strengthens national resilience, and promotes coordinated action across sectors.

Prof Borg also explained the relationship between the Council and the Climate Action Authority. Both bodies are established under the Climate Action Act with complementary roles. The Climate Action Authority has an executive and regulatory function, while the Council acts as an independent reviewer and advisor. This separation of roles allows for effective cooperation without duplication.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Climate Action Authority, Ing. Abigail Cutajar presented the work carried out by the Authority over the past year, particularly in relation to ongoing discussions on the National Climate Adaptation Plan. The Authority coordinates national initiatives to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, enhance adaptation strategies, and cultivate resilience to climate effects while advancing awareness and education.

The meeting was also attended by the Commissioner for Environment and Planning, Perit Alan Saliba, Prof Charles Galdies, member of the National Climate Action Council, and Jurgen Cassar, Head of Communications and Research at the Office of the Ombudsman.

The discussion highlighted the importance of coordination between institutions and the need to address climate change as a matter of governance, responsibility, and the protection of fundamental rights.