The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Emeritus Joseph Zammit McKeon, presented the Annual Report 2023 to the Speaker of the House, Anglu Farrugia, today.

Throughout 2023, the Office of the Ombudsman focused on enhancing its working relationship with the public administration. It adopted an open-door policy, reaching out to the public and government entities alike. In his foreword to the Annual Report, the Ombudsman stated, “I want to listen because only by listening can I act promptly and effectively. In 2023, the Office played its part in protecting the rights of people and promoting governance, accountability, and transparency in public administration.” This approach resulted in a 22% increase in the caseload of the Office of the Ombudsman compared to the previous year.

Reflecting on the results outlined in the report, Judge Zammit McKeon reaffirmed his commitment to resolving complaints related to maladministration by the government, as defined by the Ombudsman Act. “The Ombudsman ensures that the public administration conducts itself lawfully, makes decisions reasonably, and treats all persons equitably and fairly,” he stated. “I am reasonably certain that this role was adequately fulfilled in 2023.”

The Ombudsman emphasised that the Office has focused on resolving complaints and has also worked to improve public administration services through recommendations following investigations. “I believe there are professional and sensitive officials in the public service who strive to improve the workings of the government and the everyday lives of people who seek assistance from the public administration, the largest employer in this country.”

The Office of the Ombudsman made efforts to see tangible improvements in Government service practices. The Office has a duty to help when internal or external challenges that the country faces from time-to-time place pressure on people, especially the vulnerable.

The Annual Report outlines the work done by the institution during 2023 and highlights critical issues that the Office of the Ombudsman addressed:

• Relations with Parliament and the need for Parliament to discuss the Ombudsman’s reports when the public administration does not implement recommendations.
• The Right to Good Administration, founded on the need for public administration to operate with transparency, fairness, and accountability.
• The Defence of Human Rights and the need for Malta to establish a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI).

Judge Zammit McKeon reiterated the credentials of the Office of the Ombudsman as a defender of human rights. “I state with conviction that people find comfort in the Office of the Ombudsman,” he said. “In 2023, I have done my very best to convince the Government that, in the interest of the common good, Malta should, without any further delay, establish a National Human Rights Institution. The Office of the Ombudsman has been advocating. It has proposed to the government that presents a practical, resource-efficient, and effective approach to strengthening the country’s commitment to human rights. The Ombudsman encourages the Government to move away from arguments favouring a status quo approach.”

The Annual Report 2023 also includes the Annual Reports of the three specialised Commissioners for Health, Education, and Environment and Planning. “Their dedication has been instrumental in achieving the results we are presenting today,” the Ombudsman noted.

The Annual Report 2023 can be downloaded from here

El Defensor del Pueblo, Ángel Gabilondo, ha mantenido este lunes una reunión con representantes de varias asociaciones profesionales de miembros de las Fuerzas Armadas. Al encuentro han asistido Miquel Peñaroya, presidente de la Asociación Profesional de Suboficiales de las Fuerzas Armadas (ASFASPRO), José Ignacio Unibaso, secretario general de la Asociación Unificada de Militares Españoles (AUME) y Francisco Bellón, presidente de la Unión de Militares de Tropa (UMT).

En la reunión han expuesto, entre otras cosas, algunas de sus reivindicaciones, así como otros asuntos que preocupa a los profesionales de las Fuerzas Armadas. Han destacado, también, su interés por poder insistir en estos planteamientos con el Ministerio de Defensa.

Por parte de la institución ha asistido al encuentro, asimismo, la directora del Área de Educación, Cultura y Empleo, Teresa Siso.

At its meeting in June, the Advisory Body on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities called for the Deputy Ombudsman to discuss with the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs key issues related to the transformation of social services. In particular, the need to enshrine the definition of community-based social services directly in law. The legislators could add it, for example, to the currently discussed regulation of the so-called social and health borderline.

"In principle, people with disabilities have the right to live an independent life in the community. Failure to define community-based social service at least in a framework in the law risks fixing the current situation when many people with disabilities are sent to institutions. However, if supported by appropriate services, they could lead a much more independent and dignified life," Deputy Ombudsman Vít Alexander Schorm summarised his concerns at the Advisory Body meeting.

"Everyone should have the opportunity to live on their own terms. And this is not happening in institutions. People there have to adjust to a fixed daily routine. They cannot choose their roommates and often not even how to spend their free time. It is the development of community-based social services that will make it possible for people with disabilities to have a home of their own and maintain links with family, friends or even neighbours. But we have no definition of community-based social services anywhere yet," pointed out Camille Latimier, a member of the Ombudsman's Advisory Body and Director of the Society for the Support of People with Intellectual Disabilities.

As the recent Ombudsman's research has shown, the transformation of institutions - deinstitutionalisation - has slowed down considerably in the Czech Republic in the past few years. Moreover, its speed and form vary from region to region. The research revealed that different interpretations of basic concepts are to blame. "That is why it is crucial that we have a binding definition of community-based social services. Otherwise, there is a risk that the necessary transformation of social services will slow down even more or even stop altogether," the Deputy Ombudsman warned. He recalled that the state had set the obligation to define community-based service as one of the basic goals in the Action Plan for Deinstitutionalization.

The Advisory Body on the Rights of People with Disabilities also took a stand for this on its meeting. In his resolution, it expressed the wish that the Deputy Ombudsman should raise the issue with the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs in order to follow up on the joint memorandum with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs from autumn 2023. In the memorandum, the Ministry, the Ombudsman and other institutions and organisations agreed to support the process of deinstitutionalisation in the Czech Republic.

The definition of community-based social services is directly related to a set of laws currently being discussed by the Chamber of Deputies. These are mainly the Social Services Act and the regulation of the so-called social and health border.

The development of community-type services, including ambulatory services, outreach services and personal assistance, is essential to enabling people with disabilities to lead independent lives outside institutions and to participate fully in society. The Czech Republic is committed to such a change in the social services system under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

We produce a Quarterly Bulletin to give readers a short update on our most recent work.

The July Bulletin highlights two reports into complaints about health trusts, and one into a complaint about a government department. It also contains information about our work to help public bodies support users experiencing vulnerability.

Document

NIPSO Quarterly Bulletin July 2024.pdf (488.96 KB, pdf)

La titolare dell’ Ombudsman in Toscana firmerà il nuovo documento insieme al presidente Alessandro Polcri. Conferenza stampa venerdì 12 luglio alle 12 nella Sala dei Grandi della Provincia.

Si terrà venerdì 12 luglio alle 12, nella Sala dei Grandi della Provincia di Arezzo la conferenza stampa di presentazione del rinnovo della Convenzione tra Difesa Civica e Provincia di Arezzo.

Il fine del documento è quello di assicurare un punto di ascolto sul territorio per rendere più agevole la presentazione delle istanze di tutela dei cittadini.

Intervengono la titolare della Difesa Civica in Toscana Lucia Annibali e il presidente della Provincia Alessandro Polcri.