The Chancellor’s Year in Review 2022/2023 summarizes the performance of the Office of the Chancellor of Justice in fulfilling the tasks assigned by law from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023. 

This comprehensive overview spans a wide array of subjects, shedding light on the diverse responsibilities of the Chancellor. These include acting as the National Human Rights Institution, Ombudsman for Children, National Preventive Mechanism against ill-treatment, and overseeing obligations outlined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The report also explores areas such as the rule of law, equality, the environment, security, social rights, education, and various others. It provides valuable insights into the Chancellor's efforts to champion justice, protect human rights, and ensure the well-being of people living in Estonia.

In her address to the Parliament, Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise expressed gratitude to both past and present members of the Parliament and the government for their constructive collaboration. She also addressed various issues, such as the shortage of kindergarten spaces and the reduction of front-line officials, highlighting costly alternative activities in ministries. Additionally, she voiced concerns about the activity-based state budget, the adoption of European Union legislation without constitutional scrutiny, and the persistent problem of conflicts in the laws.

"Lastly, a subject likely to gain prominence in the upcoming overview year, if not in subsequent years. Unfortunately, we have witnessed a willingness in the public to overlook violations of the Constitution and fundamental rights for years. In the past, there was an economic crisis, then the pandemic, and now war. We observe an increasing number of draft laws and plans where security and safety are stated as arguments that do not seem to need further reasons. Therefore, esteemed Parliament, please deliberate on this matter and, if feasible, involve our office and other relevant parties. Is it appropriate to subordinate all constitutional freedoms and rights to an absolute security or security achievement objective?" alerted the Chancellor of Justice.

The Chancellor of Justice's annual overview is accessible here.

The Chancellor's speech to the Parliament and her responses to the questions posed by the Members of Parliament are documented in the stenogram.

Marino Fardelli, Difensore Civico della Regione Lazio e Presidente dei Difensori Civici Italiani, è lieto di annunciare l’incontro istituzionale con il Protector of Citizens della Serbia, Mr. Zoran Pašalić. Questi incontri, che fanno parte di una serie di appuntamenti pianificati, sono finalizzati a promuovere una cooperazione più stretta nella difesa civica tra Italia e Serbia.

L’agenda degli appuntamenti, che avranno luogo presso diverse sedi istituzionali tra Roma e Firenze, sottolinea non solo l’importanza di rafforzare i legami tra i Difensori Civici, ma anche l’impegno concreto per promuovere una collaborazione costruttiva volta a tutelare i diritti dei cittadini di entrambe le nazioni, lo scambio delle buone pratiche e l’opportunità di momenti di lavoro comune.

“Questa iniziativa rappresenta un passo avanti significativo nel rafforzamento delle relazioni tra Italia e la Serbia” afferma Marino Fardelli. “Il nostro impegno condiviso per la tutela dei diritti fondamentali dei cittadini e la promozione di valori comuni di pace e cooperazione è il motore di quest’iniziativa. Questo incontro segue un primo appuntamento che si è tenuto a Roma e nelle località di Cassino e Montecassino nel mese di novembre, e rappresenta un naturale sviluppo di quei fruttuosi colloqui.”

Durante i vari incontri, i Difensori Civici discuteranno temi di interesse comune, esploreranno opportunità per la collaborazione e condivideranno le migliori pratiche nella tutela dei diritti civici e nella promozione di un dialogo costruttivo tra le comunità.

Il Presidente del Consiglio regionale del Lazio On.le Antonello Aurigemma, diversi senatori e deputati nonché il sindaco di Firenze incontreranno in delegazione i due Omdusman per momenti di incontri e condivisione.

Leggi il programma degli incontri ITALIA SERBIA 2024 (1)

Ombudsman Diana Kovacheva approached the Director of the Migration Directorate Nikolai Nikolov and pleaded for two foreign nationals, from Iran and from Afghanistan, who had been residing in Bulgaria for many years and who were subjected to “a coercive administrative measure and placed at a special facility for temporary placement of foreigners” and are in danger of being taken back to their countries of origin.

18 January 2024

Ombudsman Diana Kovacheva approached the Director of the Migration Directorate Nikolai Nikolov and pleaded for two foreign nationals, from Iran and from Afghanistan, who had been residing in Bulgaria for many years and who were subjected to “a coercive administrative measure and placed at a special facility for temporary placement of foreigners” and are in danger of being taken back to their countries of origin.

In both cases, following appeals from the two foreigners’ lawyers, experts from the Directorate National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) and Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms with the Ombudsman Institution conducted an onsite inspection and came up with a recommendation to draw on Art. 44, para 5 of the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (FRBA), viz., alternative measures of forced placement. As per this provision, where there are obstacles to a foreigner leaving Bulgaria immediately or to entering another country, and no actions for the removal thereof have been scheduled, the authority which issued the order imposing an administrative enforcement measure, or the Director of the Migration Directorate shall, by an order impose any of the precautionary measures as an alternative to the placement. An option, for example is, to make it forcing on the foreigner to report on a weekly basis at the territorial office of the Ministry of Interior exercising jurisdiction over his/her place of residence.

Both foreign nationals have lived in Bulgaria for more than ten years and have a residence: one of them holds a valid passport; the other one holds a valid rental agreement and a notarized declaration from a guarantor, a Bulgarian citizen providing the means of sustenance of the person during his stay in Bulgaria.

During the interview with the Iranian citizen, the NPM experts were informed that he is not willing to go back to Iran, that he does not hold any valid Iranian identity documents and that he is willing to stay in Bulgaria officially, for which he duly filed an application to the State Agency for Refugees with the Council of Ministers. The inspecting team found that he fluently speaks Bulgarian, that he has knowledge of the Bulgarian customary practices, that he has many friends who are Bulgarian citizens and that he is fully integrated into the country.

“In connection with the above-stated and drawing on Art. 20, para 1, subpara 2 in relation to Art. 19 of the Ombudsman Act, I address to you a proposal to carry out an investigation on the case. I recommend that in line with your powers as per Art. 44, para 5 FRBA and if a reason is seen for the enforcement of more lenient measures, you issue an order that some of the precautionary measures be enforced upon the foreigner,” the Ombudsman wrote.

Regarding the man from Afghanistan, the Ombudsman added the fact that the situation in that country continues to be dangerous and uncertain, especially after the Taliban seized power in August 2021.

According to the information released for the general public on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the security situation in Afghanistan continues to be complicated and unpredictable while the risk index (five) remains the highest,” Prof. Diana Kovacheva wrote.

She stated firmly that in keeping with Art. 44а, para 5 FRBA no foreigner under a coercive administrative measure of return shall be returned to a country where the life and freedom thereof are jeopardized and the said foreigner is endangered by persecution, torture, or inhuman or degrading treatment.

Further, the Ombudsman pointed out that when the NPM experts spoke with the foreigner’s lawyer, they were informed that the person is about to submit an application to seek international protection and that new evidence would be attached to this application: medical certification of scars of torture to which the person has been subjected in Afghanistan.

Amerdeep Somal has now been confirmed as England’s new Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Amerdeep will take up the post on 1 February 2024.

This appointment follows an open recruitment process and scrutiny by the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Select Committee.

Amerdeep is also a Judge of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal. She brings a wealth of professional experience to the role having been the Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner and the Chief Commissioner at the Data and Marketing Commission. She was a former founding Commissioner of the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

On 1^st January 2024 Ms Somal took up her new role as the Board Chair of the Law Society of England and Wales, which will sit alongside her position as Ombudsman.

Amerdeep said:

“I am delighted to be taking on the hugely important role of Ombudsman, overseeing some of the most vital services provided to people across the country.

“The Ombudsman has a central role both in ensuring that individual complaints are investigated and as a key part of the wider system bringing about systemic change and improvement in local government and social care services. I look forward to taking up the role in February and to working to improve public services at a time of need for so many.”

Amerdeep takes on the role from Paul Najsarek, the interim Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, who remains in post as Ombudsman and Chair of the Commission for Local Administration in England (the board that runs the LGSCO) until 31^st January 2024.

Article date: 18 January 2024

Support for human rights systems and defenders National human rights systems and bodies

When 25 January 2024

Where Online, Austria

External event

FRA will give an online presentation on its work and activities to a delegation of Turkish authorities on 25 January.

FRA will focus on its work in the areas of justice, victim’s rights and judicial cooperation; asylum, migration and borders; equality, non-discrimination and racism; engagement with civil society and civic space issues, including human rights defenders.

The Turkish delegation will bring together experts from different Ministries, national human rights institutions, judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officers. The EU Delegation in Türkiye will also join the meeting. \

The Directorate for EU Affairs at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised the presentation. It falls under its ‘Strengthening the Fundamental Rights Sector Coordination Project’. Its objective is to strengthen the institutional capacity and cooperation of stakeholders working on fundamental rights in Türkiye.

El Ararteko ha iniciado un expediente de oficio para conocer las medidas administrativas adoptadas para reparar los posibles daños medioambientales derivados del vertido de pélets de plástico en la costa vasca.

La actuación de oficio se inicia tras recibir denuncias de varias asociaciones ecologistas ante los posibles daños medioambientales en la costa vasca debido a un vertido de pélets de plástico procedentes del buque Toconao. El incidente ocurrió el 8 de diciembre de 2023 en la costa portuguesa, extendiéndose hacia la costa gallega y por el mar Cantábrico. El Ararteko destaca la rápida respuesta de las administraciones vascas, que han activado el Plan Especial de Emergencia ante la contaminación de la ribera del mar “Itsasertza” y han convocado al Consejo Asesor para la coordinación interinstitucional y el análisis de la situación por parte del centro tecnológico marino AZTI.

La actuación de oficio busca evaluar las medidas tomadas por las administraciones vascas para enfrentarse al impacto ambiental del vertido de pélets de plástico. En ese caso, se menciona la posible aplicación de la Ley 26/2007, de Responsabilidad Medioambiental, basada en los principios de prevención y de que «quien contamina paga», que establece que los responsables de un daño significativo deben repararlo y sufragar los costes de las medidas necesarias.

Así, el Ararteko pretende obtener información sobre los posibles vertidos de pélets de plástico detectados en la costa vasca y sobre las actuaciones dirigidas a exigir las medidas para prevenir, evitar o reparar los daños medioambientales ocasionados.

También pretende conocer el impacto ambiental de este tipo de vertidos de pélets de plásticos al mar y en el litoral vasco, con el fin de disponer de un protocolo de intervención ante futuros incidentes de vertidos de pélets de plástico.

La solicitud de información se ha dirigido al Departamento de Desarrollo Económico, Sostenibilidad y Medio Ambiente del Gobierno Vasco, así como a los Departamentos de Medioambiente de las Diputaciones Forales de Gipuzkoa y Bizkaia.

Vitoria-Gasteiz, 15 de enero de 2024