On Thursday 24 July 2025 Ombudsman, Ger Deering, and Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further their shared commitment towards working together as effectively as possible in the public interest.

The role of both Ombudsman Offices is to investigate complaints from the public about public services, obtain redress where appropriate and use the outcomes of investigations to improve public administration. The Office of the Ombudsman investigates complaints about the actions of public bodies affecting adults, while the Ombudsman for Children deals with complaints affecting children (those under 18 years of age).

There can be situations in which an action of a public body adversely affects both a child and an adult. The MoU builds on the existing engagement between both Offices and provides a formal basis for cooperation to address and deal with such instances appropriately.

Welcoming the signing of the MoU, Ombudsman Ger Deering said:

“We want to ensure the easiest and quickest access for people raising concerns about public services. The MoU strengthens existing arrangements between our two Offices, helping to quickly redirect complaints to the most suitable body in the specific circumstances concerned, and ultimately contributing to the delivery of better and fairer public services for all.”

Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon said:

“An effective MoU between the Ombudsman’s Office and the Ombudsman for Children’s Office helps us to make sure that nobody falls between the cracks. This MoU ensures that we direct the right people to the right service when they need it. We will continue to build on the positive relationship between both offices.”

The MoU is available here on our website

With 123 votes in favour, 92 against and 5 abstentions, MPs elected Velislava Delcheva as the new Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria. She was supported by the votes of GERB-SDS, BSP-United Left, ITN, DPS-New Beginning, and four independent MPs.

18 July 2025

With 123 votes in favour, 92 against and 5 abstentions, MPs elected Velislava Delcheva as the new Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria. She was supported by the votes of GERB-SDS, BSP-United Left, ITN, DPS-New Beginning, and four independent MPs.

"I would like to thank you for the support you have given me today, as I am aware that I have a serious task ahead of me to live up to the high expectations and the trust placed in me. I will not make any promises because I know that there is a lot of work ahead, and it requires action, not words," said the new Ombudsman.

Delcheva stated that she was taking the oath with a clear understanding of the responsibility she was assuming not only before the members of parliament but above all before the Bulgarian people, and emphasized that the institution was of enormous importance.

 "It has been 20 years since the first Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria was elected, and the work of the previous four Ombudsmen has contributed to citizens recognizing the institution as a true defender of their interests and rights. This will continue to be the case in the future," promised Velislava Delcheva.

She was adamant that the Institution's agenda would continue to be determined by citizens and that protecting them against violations and unlawful infringements of their rights would be a priority in the Ombudsman's work.

"Not only will I raise the alarm when rights are violated, but I hope that together with you we will find solutions to the problems," the Ombudsman told the members of parliament.

Velislava Delcheva emphasized that she would rely on good cooperation with the National Assembly and good dialogue with the executive and local authorities, because every neglected recommendation would mean a neglected and ignored call for help, and this was not the role of institutions in a democratic society.

 "I will be pro-active and persistent as much as necessary to raise the alarm about all pressing issues and ensure that the latest case or bug in the system is fixed," Velislava Delcheva added, committing herself to working to protect the fundamental rights of citizens in line with all European and international standards.

Delcheva emphasized she firmly believed that "human rights are a supreme value, and their implementation is not and should not be a superficial imitation."

El Defensor del Pueblo, Ángel Gabilondo, se ha reunido este miércoles con el ministro de Política Territorial y Memoria Democrática, Ángel Víctor Torres, en la sede del Ministerio.

Durante el encuentro han abordado la situación de los menores migrantes solicitantes de asilo que han de ser trasladados desde las Islas Canarias a la península.

El pasado mes de mayo la institución Defensor del Pueblo registró en las Cortes Generales el informe Niñas y niños extranjeros en España solos o acompañados en el que se concluye, entre otras cosas, que los menores migrantes, acompañados o no, se enfrentan a prácticas administrativas que no ponen en el centro su condición de menores de edad. 

Intervista al Presidente del Coordinamento Nazionale dei Difensori Civici delle Regioni e delle Province Autonome e Difensore Civico della Regione Lazio

Domanda: Presidente Fardelli, l’evento UCR2025, che si è svolto a Roma il 10 e 11 luglio 2025, ha riunito rappresentanti delle istituzioni italiane, ucraine ed europee in un momento cruciale per la ricostruzione del Paese. Qual è il bilancio di queste due intense giornate?

Risposta: Il bilancio è estremamente positivo. UCR2025 non è stato solo un evento istituzionale, ma un ponte concreto tra popoli, diritti e valori democratici. In un contesto di guerra e di ricostruzione, l’Italia ha voluto lanciare un messaggio forte e inequivocabile: non ci può essere ricostruzione materiale senza ricostruzione umana, senza un sistema solido di garanzie, senza il rispetto dei diritti, della legalità e della partecipazione democratica. Abbiamo aperto un dialogo strutturato che mette al centro la persona, i bisogni delle comunità e la forza delle istituzioni indipendenti.

Uno dei temi centrali è stato proprio il ruolo della difesa civica. Come può il Difensore civico contribuire a questo processo?

Il Difensore civico è, per natura, una sentinella dei diritti e un promotore di dialogo istituzionale. Nell’attuale fase storica, il suo contributo può essere determinante per rafforzare le democrazie e accompagnare l’Ucraina nel consolidamento delle sue istituzioni di garanzia. In questo quadro, abbiamo avviato una collaborazione con il Business Ombudsman Council dell’Ucraina, rappresentato da Roman Waschuk e dalla Vice Business Ombudsman Tetiana Korotka, che ha portato all’organizzazione di una mattinata di lavoro dedicata alla condivisione di buone pratiche, alla formazione e al supporto tecnico-operativo per la tutela dei cittadini e delle imprese.

Quali testimonianze l’hanno colpita di più durante UCR2025?

Sono molte. Mi ha colpito profondamente la presenza di diversi sindaci ucraini, desiderosi di costruire gemellaggi operativi con amministratori italiani, con l’obiettivo di promuovere scambi concreti e cooperazione locale. E, naturalmente, la partecipazione del Commissario per i Diritti Umani del Parlamento ucraino, Mr. Dmytro Lubinets, che ha portato un’esperienza unica e drammatica: il suo impegno instancabile sul fronte dei diritti umani, dello scambio dei prigionieri di guerra e del sostegno alle famiglie dei militari è un esempio potente di difesa civica in tempo di conflitto.

Ha raccontato con forza il lavoro quotidiano svolto nei territori colpiti dalle bombe, dove raccoglie le denunce della popolazione e garantisce l’accesso ai servizi essenziali. Ma anche le voci italiane, come quelle dei miei colleghi Difensori civici regionali, tra cui Guido Giusti, Vicepresidente del Coordinamento e Difensore civico dell’Emilia-Romagna, e Marco Enrico, Difensore civico della Sardegna, hanno testimoniato un impegno che va oltre la solidarietà formale: è un investimento nei valori europei condivisi, nella legalità, nella coesione civile.

Dopo questo primo passo importante, cosa succede ora?

Ora inizia la parte più importante: la continuità. UCR2025 non è stato un evento isolato, ma l’avvio di un tavolo di lavoro permanente, con incontri trimestrali, che coinvolgeranno i Difensori Civici italiani e ucraini, i rappresentanti delle istituzioni europee, i garanti dei diritti e le organizzazioni della società civile. Vogliamo passare dalle parole ai fatti, costruendo insieme progetti di cooperazione, percorsi di formazione, tutela giuridica, educazione civica e scambio istituzionale.

È tempo di unire le nostre esperienze per creare nuove alleanze a difesa della dignità umana e dei diritti fondamentali. Lo dobbiamo ai cittadini, e lo dobbiamo alla pace.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, delivered an engaging lecture to students attending undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at Ascencia Business School Malta. The lecture formed part of the modules Fundamental Principles of Human Resource Management (Bachelor’s), Leader as a Coach (Master’s), and Employee and Labour Relations (Master’s).

The session explored the role of the Office of the Ombudsman in Malta and how its functions although they deal with matters related to the public service and public administration can find application also in the business community. Judge Zammit McKeon explained the constitutional basis and statutory powers of the Office, and how it operates to safeguard fairness, transparency, and accountability in the public administration. He also outlined Malta’s participation in international ombudsman fora and networks such as the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and the Association of Mediterranean Ombudsmen (AOM).

Throughout the lecture, Judge Zammit McKeon emphasised that the ethos underpinning good public administration could be extended to the business world. He spoke in detail about maladministration and shared real case examples from his Office’s investigative work to illustrate the importance of institutional accountability and responsiveness. The Ombudsman also highlighted six key principles of good administration—transparency, accountability, integrity, responsiveness, efficiency and effectiveness, and inclusiveness—stressing that these values are not exclusive to public institutions but are equally critical for ethical leadership in private enterprise.

The session was structured around five thematic topics that ranged from the role and societal impact of the Ombudsman to the importance of courage and integrity in leadership, and the relevance of humility in public service and corporate management. Judge Zammit McKeon reflected on his own professional journey and offered advice to the students as they pursue their studies in Malta and prepare for future leadership roles across the globe.

The interactive discussion allowed students to engage directly with the Ombudsman, posing questions about real-world issues related to governance, law, and ethical conduct in the workplace. The lecture resonated strongly with Ascencia’s academic focus on ethical leadership, institutional accountability, and the impact of policy and regulation on employee rights and workplace fairness.

Ascencia Malta is the local campus of Ascencia Business School, a member of the Collège de Paris network, offering internationally recognised business and leadership programmes. The campus provides a global learning environment for both local and international students, preparing them for professional roles in business, technology, and governance.

The Office of the Ombudsman thanks Ascencia Business School Malta for the invitation and the opportunity to engage with students committed to making a positive impact in their future careers.

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, delivered an engaging lecture to students attending undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at Ascencia Business School Malta. The lecture formed part of the modules Fundamental Principles of Human Resource Management (Bachelor’s), Leader as a Coach (Master’s), and Employee and Labour Relations (Master’s).

The session explored the role of the Office of the Ombudsman in Malta and how its functions although they deal with matters related to the public service and public administration can find application also in the business community. Judge Zammit McKeon explained the constitutional basis and statutory powers of the Office, and how it operates to safeguard fairness, transparency, and accountability in the public administration. He also outlined Malta’s participation in international ombudsman fora and networks such as the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and the Association of Mediterranean Ombudsmen (AOM).

Throughout the lecture, Judge Zammit McKeon emphasised that the ethos underpinning good public administration could be extended to the business world. He spoke in detail about maladministration and shared real case examples from his Office’s investigative work to illustrate the importance of institutional accountability and responsiveness. The Ombudsman also highlighted six key principles of good administration—transparency, accountability, integrity, responsiveness, efficiency and effectiveness, and inclusiveness—stressing that these values are not exclusive to public institutions but are equally critical for ethical leadership in private enterprise.

The session was structured around five thematic topics that ranged from the role and societal impact of the Ombudsman to the importance of courage and integrity in leadership, and the relevance of humility in public service and corporate management. Judge Zammit McKeon reflected on his own professional journey and offered advice to the students as they pursue their studies in Malta and prepare for future leadership roles across the globe.

The interactive discussion allowed students to engage directly with the Ombudsman, posing questions about real-world issues related to governance, law, and ethical conduct in the workplace. The lecture resonated strongly with Ascencia’s academic focus on ethical leadership, institutional accountability, and the impact of policy and regulation on employee rights and workplace fairness.

Ascencia Malta is the local campus of Ascencia Business School, a member of the Collège de Paris network, offering internationally recognised business and leadership programmes. The campus provides a global learning environment for both local and international students, preparing them for professional roles in business, technology, and governance.

The Office of the Ombudsman thanks Ascencia Business School Malta for the invitation and the opportunity to engage with students committed to making a positive impact in their future careers.