The European Ombudsman has published a new electronic form which will allow the European Network of Ombudsmen (ENO) members to submit a query. Please consult the Queries section of the Extranet for more information on how to submit a query.

The European Ombudsman presented her 2023 annual report to members of the PETI committee yesterday.

You can re-watch the debate at this link.

At the beginning of this year, cases of sexual harassment were publicly reported in several universities in Latvia and the public’s response got us study the topic in depth. Therefore, the Ombudsman, in cooperation with the research centre Berg Research and the Student Union of Latvia, is launching a broad survey to identify and understand the experience of sexual harassment in higher education institutions. Replies can be submitted electronically until 23 September ej.uz/Tiesibsarga_aptauja

The Ombudsman invites representatives of all higher education institutions and colleges – students, lecturers, administrative staff and graduates – to participate in this survey to obtain accurate and reliable data on the situation over the past three years.

“We are convinced that everyone has an important role in creating a safe and respectful study environment where everyone’s rights and dignity are respected. This survey provides an opportunity to share your experience and opinions in order to work together to create a better and safer academic environment. It will help develop more effective behavioural rules and reporting mechanisms, as well as strengthen much-needed support for victims of sexual harassment,” says Anete Ilves, Head of the Discrimination Prevention Division of the Ombudsman’s Office.

Important to know

The survey will ask questions about the individual’s understanding of sexual harassment, as well as its prevalence and impact in academic life. Sexual harassment can include indecent and intrusive remarks about sexual topics, offers or suggestions of a sexual nature, intrusive remarks about parts of the body such as the chest, buttocks or other, hints of sexual activity or violence to coerce behaviour or acts against one’s will, manipulation in connection with academic progress or the loss of other benefits, in exchange for sexual activities, spreading rumours about someone’s sex life, sending unwanted messages of sexual nature on social networks, forums, chats or other digital channels, etc.

It is also important to find out the consequences of sexual harassment, such as anxiety, panic, depression, sleep disorders, reduced self-esteem, problems with socialisation, fear, shame, guilt, etc.

The survey will also ask if the victim is willing to share their experience with others to help raise awareness and prevent sexual harassment.

The Ombudsman stresses that the information provided is anonymous and confidential, it will be used only for data analysis, ensuring the protection of everyone’s rights. The survey is available in both Latvian and English and will take approximately 5 to 15 minutes to complete.

View information about data processing.

Additional information

The Ombudsman has urged the Saeima to establish both administrative and criminal liability for sexual harassment.

Tomás Quintana ha recibido al nuevo subdelegado del Gobierno en León, Héctor Alaiz tras su nombramiento el pasado mes de julio. En este primer encuentro, han manifestado el compromiso de mantener la máxima colaboración institucional con el objetivo de avanzar en la mejora de los servicios que presta el Estado en la provincia de León. 

Date of decision: 2024-06-27Decision case number: 9478-2023Decision maker: Ombudsman

After two sleeping pills were found on the floor of a double-occupancy cell, at least one of the two inmates placed there was reported for suspected misconduct in breach of regulations. The prison found that the misconduct was proven, but that it should not lead to a warning. The decision stated that the inmate is personally responsible for anything found inside their cell.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman considers that the description in the report is on the brief side, inter alia, because it fails to give details of the circumstances of the discovery. According to her, the grounds for the decision itself do not fulfil the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act and she is critical of the prison’s handling of the case. In this context, the Parliamentary Ombudsman states that a starting point which in practice means that inmates who share a cell are considered responsible for everything that is there cannot be considered compatible with the requirement of objectivity and that an individual assessment of circumstances must be made in each case. The Parliamentary Ombudsmen believes that a suspicious object must actually be able to be linked to an inmate in order for misconduct to be investigated and that it is important that the Prison and Probation Service does not compromise the legal certainty of inmates sharing a cell now that double occupancy is becoming increasingly common.

As the Parliamentary Ombudsman is currently carrying out a series of inspections to examine in particular the consequences and risks that double occupancy of remand centres and prisons can have for persons deprived of their liberty, she assumes that there will be reason for her to return to questions relating to this.