Ombudsman Dr Akos Kozma conducted preparatory talks with the heads of the partner ombudsman institutions for the meeting of the ombudsmen of the Visegrád Group (V4) countries to be held in Visegrád, Hungary this year, organised by the Office of the Hungarian Commissioner for Fundamental Rights. Such talks included a meeting with Slovak Ombudsperson Mrs Mária Patakyová in Bratislava on 7 September 2021 and with Czech Ombudsman Mr Stanislav Křeček in Brno on 9 September 2021.

At the meeting with the Czech Ombudsman, the parties reviewed the main topics to be discussed at the ombudsman meeting to be held in Visegrád in October, as well as the challenges posed by the recent period and the related practices of the ombudsman institutions. 

The Ombudsmen of the Visegrád countries have held these meetings annually since 2004, in order to share their experience, as well as their achievements and challenges with each other, and to present the practices of the recent period. The summit of the Ombudsmen of the V4 countries will be organised by Hungary in October 2021.

Covid-19 virus pandemic brought numerous challenges to all segments of our lives. Isolation, sorrow, suffering, fear, job and income loss lead to an increased need for mental health preservation and strengthened psychosocial support. Thus, investing into the prevention of mental disorders is now more important than ever, particularly regarding children and young people as the most vulnerable population, to whom good quality services of mental health protection need to be equally available, the Protector of Citizens Mr. Zoran Pašalić underscored today on the occasion of celebrating World Mental Health Day.

Operating as the National Preventive Mechanism, the Protector of Citizens has visited Special Hospital for Psychiatric Diseases "Kovin", Psychiatry Unit of the General Hospital in Leskovac, Clinic for Psychiatry and the Center for Mental Health Protection of the Clinical Center in Niš. In the reports, the Protector of Citizens accentuated the need to step up the activities aimed at deinstitutionalization in the sense of abandoning the practice of the long-term placement of patients in hospitals, as well as the need to set up a non-institutional community care and support to people with mental disabilities and their families in order to enable life and treatment in the community. Furthermore, the Protector of Citizens underlined the need to establish the Centers for mental health protection in the community, including the provision of the necessary resources for prevention, advancement and post-hospital care of the patients in the community.

The Protector of Citizens reminds that it is necessary to develop without delay a network of services for mental health protection in the community that will provide comprehensive mental health protection with the minimal restrictions possible and as close as possible to the family. In addition, it is important to strengthen the staffing of the existing specialized services at health care institutions, ensure continuous education of the staff in the area of mental health, continuously take activities to raise awareness about mental health importance and invest additionally in the reforms in the area of mental health directed at respecting human rights and treatment of people with mental disorders in compliance with the principles of contemporary psychiatry.

The Protector of Citizens also highlighted the importance of partnership between the governmental and non-governmental sector, as well as the connection between experts and institutions at the local level to promote mental health and fight against the stigma.

The Protector of Citizens welcomes the establishing of the National Telephone line to offer psychosocial support to the citizens in need of it. The number is 0800 309 309, while special numbers of the Institute of Mental Health are: 063 7298260 (for young people and parents of children under 18) and 063 1751150 (for over 18).

La Défenseure des droits, Claire Hédon, publie ce jour le premier volet de sa contribution à l’élaboration de la Stratégie française sur l’égalité, l’inclusion et la participation des Roms, portant sur les droits des « Gens du voyage ». Elle alerte sur les discriminations systémiques vécues par les gens du voyage et les insuffisances tant quantitatives que qualitatives en matière d’aires d’accueil.

Partant des travaux réalisés par l’institution depuis de nombreuses années (réclamations individuelles, avis, recommandations générales) et des consultations menées depuis le début de son mandat auprès des gens du voyage, des associations et des institutions concernées, la Défenseure des droits constate des discriminations systémiques à l’égard des gens du voyage en matière de logement, d’accès à l’éducation ou encore à la santé. Les gens du voyage et les Roms constituent la minorité la plus largement victime de discriminations sur le fondement de l’origine réelle ou supposée, et plus d’un Français sur deux (52%) dit se sentir mal à l’aise à l’idée d’avoir des Roms ou des gens du voyage comme voisins[1].

Elle souligne que l’absence de reconnaissance de la caravane comme « logement » est notamment à la source de discriminations dans différents domaines : la domiciliation, le lieu d’imposition, l'ouverture d’un droit aux aides au logement (APL), l'accès aux crédits et aux assurances, la protection contre la suspension des fluides et de l’eau en période hivernale, l’obtention du droit de garde d’un enfant, etc.

La Défenseure des droits souhaite également alerter sur les conditions d’accueil des gens du voyage qui portent atteinte au droit fondamental à un logement convenable. Les objectifs d’accueil quantitatifs et qualitatifs prévus par la loi du 5 juillet 2000 ne sont toujours pas atteints, ce qui expose les voyageurs à des expulsions fréquentes. Les insuffisances en matière d’équipements et d’accès à l’eau potable, l’éloignement des services publics et notamment des écoles, ainsi que l’exposition aux risques environnementaux aggravent la situation. La Défenseure des droits formule donc plusieurs recommandations, notamment la mise en œuvre du pouvoir de substitution du préfet en cas de non-respect par une commune de ses obligations de création d’aires d’accueil et la modification du Code de l’environnement permettant que les règles de distance entre une ICPE[2] et une zone d’habitation soient étendues aux aires d’accueil.

En outre, la Défenseure des droits tient à rappeler que les refus de scolarisation opposés aux familles de gens du voyage en raison de l’occupation illicite d’un terrain sont illégaux et alerte sur les données inquiétantes relatives au décrochage scolaire des enfants « du voyage »[3]. La Défenseure des droits souhaite que soient recueillies des données sur ce phénomène et que soient adoptées des mesures afin d’y remédier.

La lutte contre le non-recours est un enjeu majeur pour l’accès aux droits des gens du voyage[4]. La Défenseure des droits invite les gens du voyage et les associations qui les représentent à la saisir et s’engage à sensibiliser et former son réseau de délégués aux difficultés qu’ils rencontrent.

[1] Voir l’étude de l’Agence européenne des droits fondamentaux

[2] Installation classée pour l’environnement

[3] 84% des « Gens du voyage » dans la tranche d’âge des 18-24 ans interrogés dans le cadre de l’étude de l’Agence européenne des droits fondamentaux ont quitté le système scolaire avant ou juste après le collège

[4] D’après l’Agence européenne des droits fondamentaux, seuls 14% des « Gens du voyage » victime de discriminations déclarent avoir déposé une plainte ou un signalement

In July, 2018 an inmate at Saltvik prison died after having refused to eat food for two months. The Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman has investigated the circumstances surrounding the death. In the decision she makes certain statements regarding the Prison and Probation Service’s responsibility for inmates that refuse to eat and notes that it is not enough that the authority’s staff members’ check on the inmate on a daily basis but that also medical staff should be involved. Instructions given, by medical staff, to other staff members shall be based on current and updated information, which presumes that qualified medical staff shall, on a daily basis, meet the inmate to assess if measures taken and decided on are enough.

In the decision, the Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman states that it is the Prison and Probation Service’s obligation to take an inmate from a prison to a health care facility, if it is necessary for an inmate to be examined or treated at a health care facility. According to the Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman situations may arise where the Prison and Probation Service may need to consider taking an inmate to a hospital, even if the inmate has expressed that he or she does not consent to the transport. The conditions for conducting a thorough examination are considerably better at a health care facility than at a prison, if a serious situation would occur. In an emergency situation it can also be difficult to obtain a reliable assessment of an inmate’s capability to assess their own situation.

The Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman also comments on the ability to decide on CPR against an inmate’s wishes, and the prison’s planning of transport of the inmate to a hospital.

Report says that despite “beacons of good practice”, too many people at risk of homelessness are victims of “injustice” due to unacceptable delays, inadequate processes, poor communication and placement in unsuitable accommodation

Ombudsman recommends new Housing Regulator role to assist local authorities in fulfilling their statutory duties consistently

Vulnerable people facing homelessness in Wales are at risk of grave injustice caused by “systemic maladministration”, an investigation by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales has found.

Today, the Ombudsman publishes the findings of his first-ever ‘own initiative’ investigation, which focuses on the administration of the homelessness review process by local authorities in Wales. The report finds that despite evidence of good practice, many thousands of people facing homelessness are being let down by “systemic maladministration”.

The Ombudsman highlights unacceptable delays in the review process, inadequate processes, poor communication and vulnerable people being offered unsuitable accommodation as issues of serious concern.

The investigation focused on three local authorities – Cardiff, Carmarthenshire and Wrexham – and considered evidence provided by the Welsh Government and third sector organisations such as Shelter Cymru. A review of homelessness cases from the investigated local authorities highlighted the following concerns:

• Human Rights and Equality Act 2010 duties are not always taken into account in assessments and reviews.
• Delays throughout the Assessment and Review Process.
• Significant matters are sometimes missed during the assessment process.
• Clients do not always understand unclear and insufficient communication.
• Failures to appropriately consider the suitability of accommodation.
• Failures to provide support to vulnerable clients and those with complex needs.

The investigation also found that each Investigated Authority applied a different approach to the Homelessness Review Process.  In response, the Ombudsman makes a strong case for creating a Housing Regulator role in Wales, to add value to the development of homelessness processes and act in support of local authorities. He also recommends that a Regulator should provide clear guidance to ensure consistency and address the concerns raised by his report.

Commenting on the report, Nick Bennett, Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, said:

“I am proud to introduce this report, the first I have produced following an investigation undertaken on my own initiative under the new powers granted to my office by the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2019. Those facing homelessness are amongst the most vulnerable people in society. It is essential that they have a voice and that their lived experience shapes the ongoing improvement of the public services they are entitled to.

“The challenges of increasing homelessness have been widely recognised by bodies in Wales, including the Welsh Government and third sector organisations. With a consistent increase in demand for accommodation for those classed as homeless and in priority need, local authorities have a critical role in preventing homelessness as well as supporting people who have found themselves homeless.

“In 2018/2019, over 31,000 households in Wales were assessed as homeless, and many more received support with homelessness issues.  This figure has continued to rise.  The absence of complaints to my office about this matter suggests that the individuals affected may be unaware of, or unable to exercise, their right to escalate their complaints to me.

“Evidence shows that a high proportion of homelessness assessment decisions were being overturned on review, and in some local authorities, this is the case year on year.  This suggested systemic maladministration and a failure to identify and learn lessons, and my investigation found this to be the case.

“In 2020, COVID-19 changed the world and highlighted the prevalence of homelessness and the vulnerability of the homeless in our communities.  In response to the pandemic, local authorities had to make significant and impactful changes to ensure that everyone had the security of a front door and access to private sanitation.

“The work undertaken by Homelessness Teams in Wales during the pandemic has been admirable. However, as we look towards a post-pandemic future, anybody at risk of homelessness should be able to expect consistent service from their local authority, wherever they may be in Wales.

“It is important that those assessed not to be homeless or not to be entitled to support are aware of the right to request a review of the assessment decision. It is also vital that when decisions are overturned at the review stage, lessons are being learned and shared across the authority to improve services.

“I recognise that responding to the pandemic has been challenging for the Investigated Authorities, and their commendable response has enabled the identification of opportunities for the longer term and wider improvements. However, the good practice demonstrated in response to the pandemic must be maintained and shared to improve the services provided to homeless people – both now and in a post-pandemic future.

“Whilst I have identified several areas for service improvement during my investigation, I also wish to recognise the good practice identified. This good practice must be shared and considered by all local authorities in Wales to support a shared commitment to learning and improvement.”

To read the report, click here.