Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier welcomes the enhanced children in care oversight role for his Office. The Act passed its Third Reading in Parliament in August and it will come into effect on 1 July 2023. The Act gives the Chief Ombudsman a greater ability to consider complaints and monitor and investigate systemic issues in this area.

2022 marks the 50^th anniversary of the Ombudsman South Australia (SA). The Ombudsman Act 1972 was assented to on 23 November 1972 and the Office opened its doors to the public on 14 December 1972. At that time, South Australia was only the second Australian jurisdiction after Western Australia to install a parliamentary Ombudsman (although South Australia was the first to use the title ‘Ombudsman’).  Now all States, Territories and the Commonwealth have an Ombudsman.  

Based on findings of the Public Defender's visit to a home for persons with disabilities, the Ombudsman warns that the mistreatment of people with disabilities in social services has - among others - systemic causes as well. People with severe mental disabilities are very vulnerable and dependent on the care of others. It is all the more serious to find that they are exposed to mistreatment in what should be a safe home for them.

The Offices of the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia and the Public Defender of Georgia have been awarded the IOI subsidy for regional projects 2020/2021. The project proposal submitted by the two offices dealt with “Strengthening the Capacities of the Armenian and Georgian Ombudspersons in Monitoring the Socio-Economic Rights during Emergency Situations”.

A widow approached the Provincial Ombudsman Sindh Mr. Ajaz Ali Khan stating that the authorities concerned have refused to process her request for appointment in place of her deceased husband. To redress grievance of the complainant Ombudsman Sindh issued directives to the authorities concerned to initiate enquiry against the Officers / Officials responsible for delaying the matter. 

Following being welcomed to country by Glenda Kickett, Samuel-Yombich Pilot-Kickett and the Della Mob, the President of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and Western Australian Ombudsman, Chris Field, was honoured to address the 32^nd Annual Silent Domestic Violence Memorial March.

 

On the sidelines of the Southeast Asian Ombudsman Forum (SEAOF) Meeting, held 30 October – 3 November 2022, in Bangkok, Chief Ombudsman Somsak Suwansujarit held a second Ombudsman-level meeting under the MOU on bilateral cooperation between the Ombudsman of Thailand and the Ombudsman of New Zealand. The Chief Ombudsman further took the opportunity of this SEAOF event to sign a MOU with the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice of Timor-Leste.

El Síndic de Greuges de Catalunya tiene el mandato de velar por la defensa de los derechos y las libertades en materia de no-discriminación por razón de género. El informe explica las dificultades y las barreras que se encuentran las mujeres a la hora de acceder a los cuerpos policiales. Las pruebas selectivas siguen estando pensadas para aptitudes típicamente masculinas.