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International Ombudsman Institute

Fri, 12 December 2025

Ombudsman News 48/2025

Fri, 12 December 2025

Ombudsman News 48/2025





Adv. Kholeka Gcaleka

IOI | Public Protector South Africa elected Second Vice-President of the IOI

The Public Protector of South Africa, Adv. Kholeka Gcaleka, is the new Second Vice-President of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI). In an electronic ballot, carried out by the IOI General Secretariat recently, the candidacy of Adv. Gcaleka received the clear and solid support from IOI members.



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The newly elected Paliamentary Ombudsman, Jari Råman, taken by the Finnish Parliament´s photographer Hanne Salonen

FINLAND | Jari Råman elected as Parliamentary Ombudsman

The Parliament has elected Doctor of Laws Jari Råman as the Parliamentary Ombudsman. Råman currently serves as the Secretary General of the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman. The Ombudsman’s four-year term of office will begin on 1 January 2026. 



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Pakistan | Strengthening Public Justice: Ombudsman Sindh and HANDS Forge Strategic Partnership

The office of Provincial Ombudsman Sindh and HANDS Welfare Foundation have formalized a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at the Ombudsman’s Headquarters, aimed at enhancing citizens’ access to free and fair justice. Under this agreement, a joint action plan will be developed to strengthen public service delivery and ensure efficient, transparent, and citizen-focused grievance redressal across Sindh.



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Le Rapport annuel est maintenant disponible

CANADA | Le Commissaire aux services en français souligne les progrès réalisés en matière de droits linguistiques dans son Rapport annuel

Dans son Rapport annuel 2024-2025, publié le 4 décembre 2025, le Commissaire aux services en français, Carl Bouchard, souligne les résultats obtenus par l’Unité des services en français du Bureau de l’Ombudsman, en faveur du respect des droits linguistiques en Ontario.



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Canada | Systemic Unfairness Found in Veterans Affairs Canada’s Internal Review Process

Veterans Ombud Colonel (Ret’d) Nishika Jardine released a report identifying systemic unfairness in the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Internal Review Process. Veterans use this process to appeal decisions for a wide range of benefits under the Veterans Health Care Regulations and parts of the Veterans Well-being Act.  



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El Defensor del Pueblo, Sr Ángel Gabilondo

España | El Defensor del Pueblo celebra con alumnos de un instituto público de Madrid el Día de los Derechos Humanos

La institución Defensor del Pueblo ha conmemorado el miércoles 10 de diciembre, Día de los Derechos Humanos, con un acto celebrado en su sede con alumnos del instituto público IES Fortuny de Madrid. El evento se ha iniciado con la intervención de la adjunta primera, Teresa Jiménez-Becerril, que ha afirmado que “los derechos humanos no son ideas abstractas, sino que se materializan en cosas muy concretas que nos afectan y os afectan cada día”.



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The Agency self-assessment audit report is now available

AUSTRALIA | A growing number of agencies complying with the NSW Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 but more needs to be done

The NSW Ombudsman tabled the Public Interest Disclosures (PID) Act 2022: Agency self-assessment audit report 2025 in the Parliament of NSW on 11 December 2025. Following commencement of the PID Act in 2023, the institution conducted self-assessment audits in both 2024 and 2025 to test agency compliance with certain key requirements of the PID Act. This report details important findings from these audits.  



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Los miembros del Yuan de Control participaron en el seminario internacional en línea IA y DDHH

Yuan de Control, Taiwán | Yuan de Control y Defensoría del Pueblo de Paraguay coorganizan seminario internacional en línea: IA y Derechos Humanos

Con el fin de promover el intercambio transnacional en materia de supervisión y derechos humanos, el Yuan de Control y la Defensoría del Pueblo de Paraguay organizaron conjuntamente, el 24 de noviembre de 2025, el seminario internacional en línea IA y Derechos Humanos. Al evento fueron invitados representantes de instituciones de supervisión y derechos humanos de la región latinoamericana, así como funcionarios gubernamentales; en total participaron en línea más de 100 asistentes provenientes de seis países.



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A representative of the AOB at the UN in Geneva

AUSTRIA | Ombudsman Office at the UN in Geneva: Austria must improve the situation of underage refugees

On 25 and 26 November 2025, the Austrian Ombudsman Board took part in the UPR pre-session in Geneva. Among other things, it called for improvements for unaccompanied minor refugees (UMF) and criticised staff and budget shortages in the execution of sentences and measures.



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L'Institution du Médiateur du Royaume signe une convention d'adhésion au Portail National du Droit d'Accès à l'Information

Maroc | L'Institution du Médiateur du Royaume signe une convention d'adhésion au Portail National du Droit d'Accès à l'Information

Le Médiateur du Royaume, Dr. Hassane Tariq, et M. Omar Seghrouchni, Président de la Commission pour le Droit d'Accès à l'Information (CDAI), se sont réunis lundi après-midi 1er décembre 2025, au siège de l'Institution du Médiateur. Cette rencontre était consacrée à l'examen des moyens de renforcer la coopération entre les deux institutions dans les domaines de la consolidation de la transparence de l'administration publique et de la consécration du droit des usagers à l'accès à l'information.



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International Right to the City and Good Practices Award

SPAIN | Barcelona Ombudsman's Office announces the International Right to the City and Good Practices Award

The city's Ombudsman, in conjunction with Human Rights Day, is pleased to announce the first edition of the Right to the City and Good Practices Award. This award is open to ombudsman offices, human rights institutions, and organizations from around the world, recognizing innovative projects, initiatives, or actions that make local human rights a reality. Registration will open soon and will be announced through Ombudsman’s usual channels.



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UK | Doctors told man with terminal illness that he would be okay

Doctors failed to tell a father of seven that he had a terminal illness and gave him false reassurance that he would be all right, an investigation by England’s Health Ombudsman has found.



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Office of the Ombudsman Punjab launched a comprehensive crackdown against overpricing, adulteration, and the sale of substandard or unsafe food items

PAKISTAN | Effective actions by Punjab Ombudsman’s Office across the province over Rs.8650000 in fines for overpricing, violation of official rates and sale of substandard goods

The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab launched a comprehensive crackdown against overpricing, adulteration, and the sale of substandard or unsafe food items. A series of public complaints to the Ombudsman Office resulted in the immediate inspection across Punjab.



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