El Ararteko recomienda al Ayuntamiento de Bilbao que adopte medidas para controlar el ruido excesivo (...)

Date of article: 13/01/2025

Daily News of: 14/01/2025

Country:  Spain - Basque Country

Author: Regional Ombudsman of the Basque Country

Una persona, en representación de varias comunidades de vecinos residentes en la Gran Vía de Bilbao, acudió al Ararteko ante la falta de intervención municipal para controlar el ruido que padecen como consecuencia de las actividades lúdicas y manifestaciones que transcurren en esa zona.

En julio de 2023, los afectados solicitaron la intervención del Ayuntamiento de Bilbao, para que diera respuesta a las molestias que padecen como consecuencia del ruido. Indicaron que los espectáculos musicales en esa zona incumplen sistemáticamente las ordenanzas municipales en cuanto al límite temporal de 45 minutos y al uso de amplificadores, y que ello implica que sus domicilios padezcan unos niveles de ruido superiores a los máximos permitidos por la legislación en materia de ruido. También denunciaron el nivel de ruido que generan las concentraciones y manifestaciones en el entorno del Palacio de la Diputación Foral de Bizkaia, en la medida en que las personas participantes utilizan silbatos, bocinas y megafonía.

Las comunidades de vecinos trasladaron al Ayuntamiento de Bilbao una serie de propuestas concretas de modificación de la Ordenanza del Espacio Público, así como de los criterios de actuación de la Policía Municipal y del propio Ayuntamiento para hacer cumplir la normativa de ruido.

Tras solicitar la colaboración del Ayuntamiento, éste remitió al Ararteko un informe recordando que, en el caso de percibir un incumplimiento de la normativa sobre la actividad de los espectáculos musicales, la ciudadanía tiene la opción de presentar una denuncia ante la Policía Municipal. En cuanto al ruido que generan las manifestaciones y concentraciones, considera que queda excluido de la ordenanza municipal y que el establecimiento de las condiciones en las que han de desarrollarse las manifestaciones corresponde al Gobierno Vasco.

Una vez analizado el contenido de la queja, el Ararteko recomienda al Ayuntamiento de Bilbao que, en aplicación de la Ordenanza municipal del Espacio Público, establezca los medios de control de las actuaciones musicales en la calle, con objeto de garantizar que el uso de la vía pública por las personas artistas no exceda de la duración máxima establecida y no incumpla los valores límite de ruido.

Con objeto de reducir el impacto acústico que generan las manifestaciones y concentraciones, también le pide que establezca los oportunos mecanismos de cooperación interinstitucional, con el fin de garantizar el cumplimiento de la normativa municipal en materia de ruido durante el desarrollo de esos actos.

RESOLUCIÓN

Vitoria-Gasteiz, 13 de enero de 2025

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First complaints data for Social Landlords

Date of article: 09/01/2025

Daily News of: 14/01/2025

Country:  United Kingdom - Wales

Author: Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

Today we publish statistics on complaints received by the 22 Social Landlords who fall under our Complaints Standards regime – affecting nearly 250,000 social tenants. The data published today covers the first half of the 2024/25 financial year. We are also publishing complaints data from Health Boards, Trusts, and Local Authorities in Wales.

*Note: The Social Landlords data for the first half of 2024/25 is currently being reviewed and will be republished shortly. 

 

3,500 complaints in 6 months for Social Landlords

The data, which includes information from 22 Social Landlords who operate our model complaints policy, shows that more than 3,500 complaints were logged by these bodies in the first 6 months of the year – this is the equivalent of about 32 complaints for every 1,000 tenants*. This rate appears to be much higher than in other parts of the Welsh public sector, but suggests good awareness of the model policy.

The records show that 71% of complaints received by the landlords featured related to Repairs and Maintenance – including damp and mould. No other specific category received more than a 5% share.

The data shows that social landlords closed around 80% of their complaints within the timescales set under their policies, which can be 20 working days at most. The data also shows that the landlords upheld almost 60% of complaints themselves.

168 complaints about the landlords listed were referred to us in the first 6 months of the year, which represents under 5% of all complaints closed in the same period. We closed 155 complaints about these landlords, with these complaints attracting a 22% intervention rate – where we recommended Early Resolution**, Voluntary Settlement, or upheld a complaint after an investigation.

 

Health Board complaints fall

The data shows that just over 9,000 complaints were received by Welsh Health Boards and Trusts in the first half of 24/25; this is the equivalent of about 6 complaints for every 1,000 residents of Wales*. These complaint volumes are slightly lower than the first half of last financial year.

The data shows that more than 80% of complaints were closed within the target of 30 working days – an improvement on the same period last year, meaning Health Boards and Trusts seem to be replying to complaints more promptly this year.

527 complaints relating to Health Boards and Trusts were referred to us in the year, which represents about 6% of all complaints closed in the same period – this is similar to the same period last year.

The numbers of complaints referred gives context to both Health complaints data and cases about Health Boards and Trusts handled by us.

We closed 458 complaints about Health Boards and Trusts in the first half of 24/25. Some of those complaints would have been referred to our office during the previous financial year.

We intervened in about 27% of those cases, by recommending Early Resolution**, Voluntary Settlement, or upholding a complaint after an investigation. This is broadly consistent with previous years.

 

Nearly 11,000 complaints to Welsh Councils in 6 months

We are also publishing information about Local Authority complaints today – with nearly 11,000 complaints being logged by Local Authorities in Wales during the first half of 24/25, the equivalent of 7 complaints for every 1,000 residents*. This number has grown over recent years, following the implementation of our Complaints Standards regime in 2019.

More than 75% of complaints were handled within the target time – Local Authorities use a target of 20 working days. This performance is similar to previous years.

Records show that 37% of complaints recorded by Local Authorities were about waste and refuse – a theme continuing from previous years – 18% were about housing, and 12% were about social services. More than 50% of all complaints were upheld by Local Authorities, a slight increase on last year.

We received 707 complaints about Local Authorities in the first half of 24/25, which represents 7% of all complaints closed by Local Authorities in the same period.

We closed 615 complaints about Local Authorities in the first half of 24/25. Some of those complaints would have been referred to our office during the previous financial year.

We intervened in 12% of those cases, by recommending Early Resolution**, Voluntary Settlement, or upholding a complaint after an investigation. The large majority of cases about Local Authorities closed by us in the first half of 24/25 were out of jurisdiction, or closed by early resolution.

“We are pleased to publish information about how health boards, councils and housing associations are dealing with complaints about their services. This is the first time was have published data on social housing in Wales, and this is especially to ensure tenants have access to good housing and that issues are promptly and properly resolved. We are proud that our work on complaints standards means that nearly 250,000 social tenants now benefit from improved complaint handling. This data, alongside information which public bodies hold themselves, should be an important tool in improving services for people across Wales”.

Michelle Morris, the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.

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Bürgerbeauftragter Wolfgang Fackler, MdL: Bei der aktuellen Diskussion um ein Böllerverbot mit Augenmaß entscheiden!

Date of article: 09/01/2025

Daily News of: 14/01/2025

Country:  Germany - Bavaria

Author: Regional Ombudsman of Bavaria

Der Bürgerbeauftragte der Bayerischen Staatsregierung, Wolfgang Fackler, MdL, erinnert in der aktuellen Debatte um ein mögliches Böllerverbot daran, dass es bereits vom 2. Januar bis 30. Dezember ein generelles und striktes Böllerverbot in Deutschland gibt. „Dennoch ist klar, dass Exzesse, wie sie zum Jahreswechsel in Berlin zu erleben waren, untragbar sind. Wir sollten aber trotzdem einen Schritt zurücktreten und die Diskussion nicht in aufgeheizter Stimmung führen. Denn es ist nicht zielführend, immer gleich vom einen Extrem ins andere zu springen, sondern Maß und Mitte würden unserer Gesellschaft guttun!“

Der Beauftragte teilt mit: „Von einem pauschalen Verbot von privaten Feuerwerkskörpern aller Art halte ich nichts. Es ist wie so oft: Weil ein paar Unbelehrbare sich nicht an die Regeln halten, ist der erste Reflex der Ruf nach Verboten und härteren Strafen. Allerdings gelten für Körperverletzung und Sachbeschädigung auch heute schon die Regeln des Strafrechts. Es ist die Aufgabe des Staates, Recht und Gesetz entschieden und resolut durchzusetzen. Deswegen aber allen, die friedlich miteinander feiern und das neue Jahr mit einer beliebten Tradition willkommen heißen wollen, das Feuerwerk zu verbieten, halte ich für überzogen! Schließlich erfährt man von keinen derartigen Exzessen aus denjenigen Ländern, aus denen die

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Press Release | Ruling of the ECtHR on the issue of refoulement

Date of article: 08/01/2025

Daily News of: 14/01/2025

Country:  Greece

Author: Greek Ombudsman

In its decision A.R.E. v. Greece of 07.01.2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) makes extensive reference to a series of reports by the Greek Ombudsman on the issue of refoulement, as well as to its intervention on the same issue as a third, independent party, following an invitation by the Court.

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Press Release | Ruling of the ECtHR on the issue of refoulement

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Czech NPM contributes to global report on women in prison

Date of article: 13/01/2025

Daily News of: 14/01/2025

Country:  Czechia

Author: Czech Public Defender of Rights

The Public Defender of Rights as the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) of Czechia has joined NPMs from 45 other countries to contribute to the development of a global report on women in prison, launched today by the Geneva-based Association for the Prevention of Torture

This landmark report highlights significant challenges and systemic discrimination faced by women in prisons around the globe, calling for urgent reforms and greater use of alternatives to detention.

Drawing on data and analysis from National Preventive Mechanisms operating across Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America, the report provides the first global analysis of women in prison based on the findings of NPMs, independent oversight bodies with a mandate to prevent torture and ill-treatment in all places where people are deprived of liberty.

The Global Report on Women in Prison: Analysis from National Preventive Mechanisms reveals that women, who represent a small but growing percentage of the global prison population, are often subjected to systemic neglect and discrimination.

The report identifies several concerning themes affecting women in prison in the 46 countries reviewed, including:

  • Heightened risks of ill-treatment: Women face unique challenges in prison, such as humiliating and invasive body searches, inappropriate use of solitary confinement and restraints, with particularly severe impacts on pregnant women, LGBTIQ+ women, indigenous women and women with mental health conditions.
  • Neglect of gender-specific needs: Access to adequate healthcare, hygiene facilities and products, and mental health services often falls far short of international standards, exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities.
  • Intersectional discrimination: Foreign women, indigenous women, older women, LGBTIQ+ women, pregnant women and women from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds face specific – and sometimes greater – risks of abuse and discrimination.

Since the adoption in 2010 of the United Nations Bangkok Rules, which aim to address the needs of women in the criminal justice system, important progress has been made but much remains to be done to implement these standards in practice.

The report offers comprehensive recommendations to drive systemic change for women in prison, emphasising the crucial role of NPMs in driving reforms.

Key recommendations include:

  • Implementing gender-responsive alternatives to imprisonment for women, particularly for non-violent offenses.
  • Implementing alternatives to harmful or humiliating practices that can amount to ill-treatment, such as solitary confinement, use of restraints and body searches
  • Ensuring access to gender-specific healthcare and mental health support
  • Strengthening family contact through flexible visiting arrangements and communication options
  • Improving staff training on gender-sensitive approaches
  • Addressing the specific needs of women at heightened risk of ill-treatment, including pregnant women, LGBTIQ+ women, indigenous and foreign women.

The report also provides good practice examples from different countries.

The Global Report is accompanied by individual country reports prepared by NPMs and Local Preventive Mechanisms operating in the 46 countries.

The Global Report is supported by the Government of Canada and the City of Geneva.

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