Academic literature on the topic 'Rwanda. Office of Ombudsman'

The office of European Ombudsman was created by the Treaty of Maastricht. The first Ombudsman, Jacob Söderman, began work in September 1995. To judge by the number of requests for materials and interviews that the office receives, particularly from students, academic lawyers are well aware of the existence of the European Ombudsman. There is also a growing body of literature about the office. Many practising lawyers, however, remain uncertain about the scope and functions of the work of the European Ombudsman. This is partly because the concept of an ombudsman is not always well understood, even by specialists in public law. This article will explain what an ombudsman is, the relationship between the European Parliament and the European Ombudsman, and the nature of the latter’s work. The aim is to persuade colleagues working in the field of European public law that the office of the European Ombudsman is well worth monitoring.

The office of European Ombudsman was created by the Treaty of Maastricht. The first Ombudsman, Jacob Söderman, began work in September 1995. To judge by the number of requests for materials and interviews that the office receives, particularly from students, academic lawyers are well aware of the existence of the European Ombudsman. There is also a growing body of literature about the office. Many practising lawyers, however, remain uncertain about the scope and functions of the work of the European Ombudsman. This is partly because the concept of an ombudsman is not always well understood, even by specialists in public law. This article will explain what an ombudsman is, the relationship between the European Parliament and the European Ombudsman, and the nature of the latter’s work. The aim is to persuade colleagues working in the field of European public law that the office of the European Ombudsman is well worth monitoring.

The authors seek to highlight the office of the ombudsman, which represents a potentially powerful form of alternative dispute resolution. They first examine the "classic" ombudsman. This ombudsman is basically a neutral party who decides which side is justified in a dispute. They examine how Canadian ombudsman legislation ensures that many of the ombudsman's most important aspects are protected, such as impartiality and immunity from prosecution. They next examine the boundaries of the ombudsman's jurisdiction which, for the classic ombudsman, encompass only the administrative actions of government. The procedures common to most classic ombudsman offices are also outlined. Next, some challenges to the classic ombudsman are canvassed, such as the privatization of government services. They favour a continuing role for the ombudsman in regulating privately-delivered "public" services. Next, the article looks at different forms of the ombudsman, as adapted around the world. They provide an organizational scheme for these adaptations. Each model is analyzed, and its strengths and weaknesses assessed. The article concludes by stating the similarities found in all ombudsman models and which make the office an important form of ADR.

Purpose It is recognized worldwide that an ombudsman system makes the public administration more transparent and accountable to the public. This paper aims to examine the provisions of the Ombudsman Act 1980, as well as the position, role and necessity of the Office of the Ombudsman in Bangladesh. It also evaluates how the ombudsman institution can act as a gateway for citizens of Bangladesh to resolve complaints against the maladministration of public administration in the country. Design/methodology/approach The study is basically qualitative in nature where both primary and secondary sources have been used. As well, a combination of analytical methods and current legislative methods, together with future legislative techniques, was used in the study. Findings This study finds that the ombudsman is a vital institution for Bangladesh to eliminate maladministration, nepotism and abuse of human rights, as well as abuse of the power of the public administration. Going forward, Bangladesh needs to amend the existing Ombudsman Act 1980 and then take proper steps to firmly establish the Ombudsman Office to ensure and increase public confidence, operational effectiveness and good governance and human rights throughout the country. Research limitations/implications The main implication of this study is that it will play an important role for the development of the rule of law and human rights in Bangladesh. This study will make its readers and particularly the citizens of Bangladesh aware of the importance of the “Office of the Ombudsman” in Bangladesh and the existing loopholes in the current Ombudsman Act 1980. This research also provides a new avenue for scholars to contribute their knowledge and wisdom toward nation-building by further researching the Office of the Ombudsman in Bangladesh. In this way, scholars in this field can share their experiences of the role of the ombudsman to a wider audience. Practical implications The study will facilitate policymakers and the government to enact an effective new law or to amend the existing law relating to the ombudsman. Originality/value The paper sets out the proposed amendment to the Ombudsman Act 1980. Hence, it will be of interest to policymakers, government, organizations of civil society and those developing countries that have not taken steps toward forming an ombudsman institution.

This article deals primarily with complaint handling system with reference to an ombudsman that established by the government as opposed to the private ombudsman variety in Indonesia and Australia’s jurisdictions. In practice, group of people or persons have often arisen complaints or grievances in public service, and it requires solutions. It is widely known that the Ombudsman office has long been regarded as an effective office in resolving people complaint. This is mainly because the nature of the Ombudsman as an independent and impartial institution. This article argues that regardless of the different context of introduction of an ombudsman in Indonesia and Australia because of different political and social context, however, the performance of ombudsman in both countries has showed significant role in enhancing public services through their expanded mandates and stronger powers.

Jacob Söderman was elected to the post of the European Ombudsman (EO) shortly after the establishment of the office by the Treaty of Maastricht. When Söderman took up his functions in 1995, he stepped into a largely undefined role. As the first European Ombudsman, he has enjoyed much discretion and had a unique opportunity to characterise the nature and functions of the office. According to the EC Treaty, the main task of the European Ombudsman is to consider complaints concerning 'instances of maladministration' in Community administration. But as the Treaty leaves 'maladministration' undefined, Söderman had relatively free hands in both defining and interpreting the concept. As a consequence, the undefined notion turned into a source of controversy concerning the correct functions of the EO. Söderman's approach met with mixed reactions: while he received several prizes for his achievements as the European Ombudsman, he almost failed to get re-elected for a second term in office in 1999.

The Health Service Ombudsman is the final stage of the NHS complaints process. If someone is unhappy with the service provided by the NHS or with how the NHS handled a complaint they can come to the Ombudsman. This article tells surgeons what they need to know about the Ombudsman and how her office resolves complaints.

This article examines the Office of the National Ombudsman as a possible channel for the exercise of citizen’s participation in democratic life in Bulgaria. Evidence in this direction is derived from the legally established possibilities and actions of the Office itself, as well as from the results of an empirical study based on in-depth interviews conducted with the occupiers of the position of the National Ombudsman as well as representatives of collective civil society organisations. The exercise of civic participation through the Office is illustrated by describing a case drawn from Bulgarian practice – the protests of workers and employees in defence of their rights to unpaid wages and other compensation in 2017 – which resulted in changes to the legislation championed by the Ombudsman. The Office is not above criticism and the article concludes with some suggestions for how the relationship with civil society could be improved and how the Office could better achieve its goals of strengthening civic life and, in particular, the perception among citizens that they do have the power to influence decision-making within the country.

National Human Rights i nstitutions [NHRIs] are created by “a Government under the constitution, or by law or decree, the functions of which are specifically designed in terms of the promotion and protection of human rights.” Human rights commissions, ombudsman i nstitutions, hybrid single-office holder human rights ombudsman/commissioners, and specialized i nstitutions such as the children’s ombudsman are types of NHRIs.

The Ombudsman Commission's ability in getting results again reinforces the public's confidence in the Ombudsman office and what it stands for - standing up for the rights of individuals who would otherwise be ignored by the powers that be.