EUROPEAN COMMISSION: 2021 Rule of Law Report
Date of article: 21/07/2021
Daily News of: 30/07/2021
Country: 
Cyprus
Author:
Article language: en
«In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ombudsperson has been active to help citizens. Since March 2020 the Ombudsperson has been conducting an awareness campaign in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and the protection of human rights».
EUROPEAN COMMISSION: 2020 Rule of Law Report
«The Commissioner for Administration, which contributes to safeguarding fundamental rights, has faced certain challenges. The Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights (Ombudsman) is the National Human Rights Institution, accredited with B-Status by GANHRI in 2015. In its accreditation report, the GANHRI Sub-Committee on Accreditation made recommendations on the appointment of the Ombudsman, the allocation of resources and the management of the budget. The capacities of the Ombudsman have recently been reinforced and further staff has been requested for 2020. However, it has faced challenges in view of an attempt by the Auditor General to investigate the way it exercises its powers, which the Commissioner considered an interference with its independence. This position was supported by the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and subsequently, the Attorney General stopped the procedure. The Commissioner’s suggestions or recommendations are not binding. He has the capacity to consult with the authority concerned, in an attempt to find a way for the authority to adopt the Commissioner’s positions and comply with them at a practical level».
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EUROPEAN COMMISSION: 2020 Rule of Law Report
«The Commissioner for Administration, which contributes to safeguarding fundamental rights, has faced certain challenges. The Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights (Ombudsman) is the National Human Rights Institution, accredited with B-Status by GANHRI in 2015. In its accreditation report, the GANHRI Sub-Committee on Accreditation made recommendations on the appointment of the Ombudsman, the allocation of resources and the management of the budget. The capacities of the Ombudsman have recently been reinforced and further staff has been requested for 2020. However, it has faced challenges in view of an attempt by the Auditor General to investigate the way it exercises its powers, which the Commissioner considered an interference with its independence. This position was supported by the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and subsequently, the Attorney General stopped the procedure. The Commissioner’s suggestions or recommendations are not binding. He has the capacity to consult with the authority concerned, in an attempt to find a way for the authority to adopt the Commissioner’s positions and comply with them at a practical level».