IOI | President urges all Ombudsman institutions to review schemes to ensure consistency with Venice Principles

On 23 February the African Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC) hosted a Webinar, in collaboration with the IOI, to discuss the UN Resolution on Ombudsman and Mediators. IOI President Peter Tyndall spoke at the webinar, along with IOI Secretary General Werner Amon, and the Médiateur of the Kingdom of Morocco, Judge Mohamed Benalilou.

USA | USOA hosts virtual training on poverty, race and consciousness

The United States Ombudsman Association (USOA) hosted a four-hour virtual training on 22 October 2020, entitled “Poverty, Race, and Consciousness”. The presenters were Dr. Shariff Abdullah and Dr. Donna M. Beegle.  There were 98 individuals registered for the event, 17 of which were IOI members. The event was funded by an IOI subvention. 

IRELAND | Dr Niall Muldoon is Reappointed to Role of Ombudsman for Children

The Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon has been formally re-appointed to his role for another term by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.

NEW ZEALAND | Annual Report – a strong year in a time of crisis

Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier says holding government to account is never more important than in a time of crisis.

Mr Boshier says the highlight of the year ending 30 June 2020 was managing a busy, and expanding, programme of work, while providing independent oversight of the impact of government actions to combat COVID-19.

ARGENTINA | COVID-19: nuevo reporte estadístico de la PPN

La Procuración Penitenciaria de la Nación presenta un nuevo reporte estadístico a enero de 2021 sobre la situación de las personas privadas de la libertad ante la actual emergencia sanitaria. El documento muestra una estabilidad de la población encarcelada en el SPF desde hace más de 6 meses, luego del descenso producido en los primeros dos meses de la pandemia y, por otro lado, alerta sobre un nuevo récord de personas alojadas en centros de detención no penitenciarios de la Policía de la CABA.

AUSTRALIA | New casebook to help public sector agencies to improve decision-making

Casebook 2020: Helping agencies to improve decision-making is a new publication from the Office of the Queensland Ombudsman, containing a sample of the outcomes that the Office achieved for Queenslanders through its investigations.

AMÉRICA LATINA | 6. Reporte semanal “Derechos humanos en perspectiva internacional”

Les hacemos llegar el 6. Reporte Semanal de “Derechos Humanos en Perspectiva Internacional” (13 – 19 de febrero de 2021), elaborado por el Programa de Observación y Asistencia para el Fortalecimiento de las Defensorías del Pueblo, que forma parte de la Unidad de Política Institucional de la Defensoría del Pueblo de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (Argentina).

SOUTH KOREA | ACRC will turn People's Ideas into institutional improvement

An idea for institutional improvement on People's Idea Box with many likes and responds will be reflected in institutional improvement or policy suggestion process.

SERBIA | Following Protector of Citizens’ intervention, professional employees in social welfare centers engaged

Acting on the Protector of Citizens’ recommendation on emergency employment of professional employees in social welfare centers throughout Serbia, the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy obtained the consent of the Government of Serbia to employ a total of 187 new professional workers on an indefinite-term basis, 108 of whom will be employed in social welfare centers.

ESPAÑA | Los defensores del pueblo hacen frente común para pedir adecuar los requisitos de residencia de los menores migrantes

La exigencia de disponer de recursos propios con unos ingresos mínimos para la renovación de la autorización de residencia en propicia la exclusión social y laboral

Piden la modificación del Reglamento de la Ley de extranjería con la idea de que se elimine esta interpretación restrictiva

UK | Council to apologise to pupil left without a school for more than a year

Leicestershire County Council has agreed to apologise and pay a teenager £7,200 after it left her without a school place for nearly 14 months at a critical time in her education.