Ombudsmen of Türkiye Mr. Ertunç Erkan Balta, Ms. Fatma Benli Yalçın, Mr. Abdullah Cengiz Makas, Mr. Özcan Yıldız, and Mr. Şerif Yılmaz attended the meeting of the Joint Subcommittee composed of members of the Petition Committee and the Human Rights Inquiry Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye on 13 May 2026. During the meeting, committee members listened to representatives of relevant public administrations that had taken a negative approach toward the Ombudsman Institution’s recommendations and requests for information and documents in 2025. The Ombudsmen also delivered presentations regarding decisions within their respective fields of responsibility, while Members of Parliament shared their assessments and views on the agenda items discussed.

Within the framework of the “Human Rights Month” declared in the country by the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a legal awareness-raising event on the topic “Ensuring Human Rights is the Supreme Purpose of the Azerbaijani State” was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Goranboy district. The event was jointly organized by the Ombudsman’s Western Regional Center and the Executive Authority of Goranboy district, with the broad participation of representatives of district law enforcement agencies, education, healthcare, culture, youth and sports institutions.

During the event, the head of the Ombudsman’s Western Regional Center, Sabuhi Abbasov, delivered a speech and noted that by the Order of the President of the country dated 18 June 2007, 18 June was established as Human Rights Day in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

At the same time, information was provided on the Ombudsman’s activities in the field of protection of human rights and freedoms, the “916” Call Center, and the procedures for applying to the Commissioner, and the questions of the participants were answered.

Recently, the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman), Feruza Eshmatova, met with the delegation of Germany’s “West-Eastern Encounters” Foundation.

The meeting was attended by Matthias Platzeck, Chairman of the Foundation’s Supervisory Board, Dr. Martin Kummer, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board, and Executive Director Anna Kaiser.

During the dialogue, the parties discussed mechanisms for the protection of human rights, the handling of appeals, monitoring visits conducted with the participation of public representatives to institutions where persons with restricted freedom of movement are held, the development of cooperation with civil society institutions, as well as issues related to ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities.

It was also noted that the prevention of violence against women remains one of the pressing issues in Germany’s practice as well, and that approaches aimed at preserving family and universal human values play an important role in this regard.

In addition, the parties exchanged views on prospects for mutual exchange of experience in the field of ensuring human rights, strengthening relations between civil society institutions, and implementing joint initiatives.

Dili, 07 May 2026 – The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ) of Timor-Leste, represented by Executive Secretary Ambrosio Graciano Soares, participated in the Regional Forum on Human Rights Cities in ASEAN: Localizing Human Rights for Inclusive Development Towards Localizing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. The hybrid event took place on 27-28 April 2026 at Grande Centre Point Lumphini, Bangkok, Thailand. The forum was organized by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and brought together AICHR members, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), local governments, civil society, and international experts to advance the Human Rights City approach across Southeast Asia.

Keynote speakers and panelists from the UN, European Union, academia, and city governments emphasized that Human Rights Cities offer a practical framework for localizing international and regional commitments such as the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration. Seree Nonthasoot of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights highlighted rapid urbanization, noting that over half the world’s population now lives in cities. Other speakers stressed the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships involving local governments, civil society, NHRIs, academia, and the business sector, drawing from successful models in Europe, Latin America, and Asia, including the pioneering examples of Rosario (Argentina) and Gwangju (South Korea).

The two-day event featured site visits to inclusive urban practices in Bangkok, including a nursing home for older persons and persons with disabilities, an emergency shelter for homeless individuals, a food bank, and an accessible ecological park. Panel discussions also addressed smart city frameworks, disability-inclusive mobility, and city-to-city partnerships. A representative of the Government of Timor-Leste, Jacinto dos Santos, expressed gratitude for the knowledge shared and confirmed that Timor-Leste is taking preparatory steps in human resources and infrastructure to potentially apply the Human Rights City model in the future.

The forum concluded with closing remarks by Bolivar L. Bao, Acting AICHR Chair, who thanked all participants for their contributions. The PDHJ delegation’s participation was made possible through an official nomination by Provedor Virgilio da Silva Guterres, with travel and accommodation costs covered by the AICHR Secretariat in collaboration with the European Union. Executive Secretary Ambrosio Graciano Soares reported that the workshop provided highly useful discussions and valuable best practices for advancing human rights at the local level in Timor-Leste.

The Office of the Ombudsman Punjab successfully hosted the first batch of its 5-day International Internship Programme from April 27 to May 1, 2026, marking a significant step towards fostering international cooperation and knowledge exchange within the global ombudsman community.

Organized in collaboration with the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), the week-long programme brought together distinguished representatives from member institutions across various regions. Participants included Ismail Areff Bawamia from the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children, Republic of Mauritius; Ahmet Kesgin from the Ombudsman Institution of Turkiye; and Darren Carr from the Office of the City Ombudsman, Cape Town, South Africa.

The programme commenced with welcome remarks by Honourable Ombudsman Punjab Ms. Ayesha Hamid and Secretary Kaiser Saleem, setting the tone for a week of professional engagement and collaborative learning. The opening session was emceed by Advisor Research, Ahmad Yar Khan. Registrar, Nadeem Hassan Gohar delivered a comprehensive overview of the Ombudsman Act 1997, outlining the legal and institutional framework governing the organization’s mandate.

Designed to provide a thorough understanding of the institutional framework and operational practices of Ombudsman Punjab, the programme combined theoretical briefings with practical exposure. Participants gained in-depth insights into complaint handling procedures, case management systems, and service delivery mechanisms. Advisor (F&P)/(ITID) Sami Ullah presented a detailed overview of the certified ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) for complaint management, reflecting the institution’s commitment to efficiency and service excellence. Ms. Noor-ul-Ain Zafar (Deputy Director I&C) gave briefing on the operations of 1050 helpline and redressal of grievances. Ahmad Yar Khan (Advisor Research) also presented a comparative analysis between the Office of Ombudsman Punjab and the interns’ respective home country institutions, fostering deeper institutional understanding and exchange of perspectives.

Activities throughout the week included guided office tours of Kasur, Sheikhupura, and Faisalabad Regional Offices with Mr. Muhammad Saleem (Deputy Director), Mr. Sabir Kabir (Liaison cum Coordinator) and Umar Tahir (Assistant Director International Relations). Moreover, the participants experienced the Awami Khidmat Programme Van Outreach in the remote areas of Faisalabad and attended live hearing sessions. Interactive sessions with senior officials facilitated meaningful dialogue on shared challenges, emerging trends, and best practices in ombudsman institutions worldwide.

Complementing the professional agenda, the programme featured cultural and site visits, allowing participants to experience the region’s heritage and governance landscape. The participants visited Masjid Wazir Khan, Lahore Fort, Shahi Hammam and Hiran Minar. This integration of professional learning with cultural engagement enriched the overall experience and reinforced the importance of cross-cultural understanding within the ombudsman network.

The programme concluded with closing remarks by Honourable Ombudsman Punjab Ms. Ayesha Hamid, who also awarded certificates to the participants, marking the successful completion of their internship.

– The ACRC and KOICA jointly operate a five-day anti-corruption capacity-building training program for Ethiopia starting on Apr. 28

– Korea’s outstanding anti-corruption systems, including the Act on the Prevention of Conflicts of Interest of Public Officials and the anti-corruption education system, are to be shared

The Korea Integrity and Civil Rights Training Institute (KICTI) under the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC, Chairperson Jung Il Yeon) announced that it will operate an Anti-Corruption Capacity-Building Training Program for public officials of Ethiopia’s Federal Ethics & Anti-Corruption Commission (FEACC) for five days starting on April 28.

This training is a follow-up measure pursuant to the MOU on anti-corruption cooperation signed between the ACRC and the FEACC in June 2024, and was arranged in response to a request from the Ethiopian side to learn from Korea’s public official conflict-of-interest prevention system and its systematic anti-corruption training system.

Nine FEACC officials at the director-level are participating in this program, which is operated in cooperation with KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency). The curriculum is centered on core anti-corruption legislation, such as the Act on the Prevention of Conflicts of Interest of Public Officials and the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, as well as the current state of anti-corruption education programs for public officials and integrity education programs for the younger generation.

The Republic of Korea has garnered sustained international attention for its Korean-style anti-corruption policies and experience since it stands as an exemplary case of having simultaneously achieved economic growth and improvement in its CPI*(Corruption Perceptions Index) in the shortest period of time in the world.

* (2016) 53 points, 52nd place (out of 180 countries) → (2025) 63 points, 31st place (out of 182 countries)

Accordingly, the ACRC has been operating annual anti-corruption capacity-building training programs for public officials from countries around the world as part of ODA (Official Development Assistance) projects, and has shared Korea’s anti-corruption systems and experience with 746 public officials from 74 countries to date.

Along with the training program for the Ethiopian government this year, the Commission plans to operate a customized training program for public officials from Zimbabwe in June, and conduct training sessions in September for four Asian countries India, Nepal, Mongolia, and Bhutan as well as four West African countries Senegal, Guinea, Togo, and Benin thereby steadily expanding its international anti-corruption training programs.

Chairperson Jung Il Yeon of the ACRC said, “Ethiopia is the only African ally that sent troops to fight alongside Korea during the Korean War,” and emphasized, “As a nation leading democracy and sustainable development, we will continue to share the anti-corruption policies of Korea with Ethiopia and the international community to enhance the standing of the Republic of Korea.”

• FEDERAL OMBUDSMAN INSPECTION TEAM ASKS ADMINISTRATION OF POLY CLINIC HOSPITAL TO URGENTLY IMPROVE QUALITY OF MEDICAL SERVICES
• ENSURE UNINTERRUPTED AVAILABILITY OF MEDICINES FOR THE PATIENTS

Islamabad: 05 May, 2026 – The Federal Ombudsman, Mr. Naveed Kamran Baloch has directed the administration of the Poly Clinic Hospital in Islamabad to ensure uninterrupted provision of medicines and proper treatment to all patients alongwith availability of doctors at the hospital. He also asked for details of the purchase and disbursement of medicines alongwith the duty roster of the doctors. He has further directed that the Poly Clinic-II Hospital currently under construction in Sector G-11, be completed as per its original time frame.

He was responding to the report submitted by the Federal Ombudsman’s Inspection Team, which visited the Federal Government Services Hospital (Poly Clinic) here today. He instructed that immediate steps be undertaken to improve the general cleanliness and sanitation level at the hospital. ‘No patient should be returned without providing proper medical treatment and medicines’, he observed. He also directed that the vacancies of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff currently lying vacant may be filled as early as possible as per the relevant provisions, upholding the highest consideration for merit and transparency.

It may be pointed out that the Federal Ombudsman’s Inspection Team visited the Poly Clinic Hospital in response to the large number of public complaints regarding mal-administration and difficulties in proper medical treatment at the hospital. Headed by the Senior Advisor, Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat, Ms. Raana Seerat, the Inspection Team included Maj. Gen. (Retd) Haroon Sikandar Pasha, Advisor, WMS and Consultants Mr. Pervaiz Haleem and Mr. Khalid Sial. The Team went round various sections and departments of the hospital and issued on the spot instructions for prompt redressal of public complaints.

The Team witnessed an extraordinary rush of the patients in almost every department of the hospital and late arrival of doctors, in addition to difficulties in getting the prescribed medicines, conducting of various laboratory tests for proper diagnosis, getting attestation of the medical bills etc. Some people also complained of subtle attempts on part of certain staff members to induce the patients carry out the medical tests from private laboratories. The Inspection Team expressed its deep concern over the state of affairs in particular the overall sanitation and non-functioning of the hospital’s only lift due to which patients are suffering a great deal. It also instructed that the biometric system of attendance be activated forthwith to ensure attendance and availability of the doctors and staff members. Additionally, it directed that a facilitation desk may also be established at the main entrance to guide the patients.

A delegation from the Office of the Provincial Ombudsman Punjab, Pakistan paid a training-oriented working visit to the Ombudsman Institution of Türkiye between 4-8 May, 2026.

On the first day of the training programme, the delegation was received by Chief Ombudsman of Türkiye, Mr. Mehmet Akarca, with the participation of the Secretary General of the Ombudsman Institution, Mr. Mehmet Doğan. During the meeting, emphasis was placed on the importance of strengthening cooperation and mutual exchange among Ombudsman Institutions, particularly in the fields of human rights protection, fairness, and good administration.

Throughout the program, the delegation held meetings with Ombudsmen Mr. Ertunç Erkan Balta, Mr. Şerif Yılmaz, Mr. Abdullah Cengiz Makas, and Mr. Özcan Yıldız. Experts from the relevant departments of the Institution delivered comprehensive presentations on the Ombudsman Institution’s mandate, functioning, working procedures, complaint-handling mechanisms, and landmark decisions.

During the training program, a broad range of topics was addressed, including children’s rights, women’s rights, justice, social security, education, public personnel, and labour-related complaints, among others. In addition, the entire complaint-handling process from the submission and examination of complaints to the finalization of decisions and recommendations was comprehensively reviewed. Informative presentations were also delivered on the Institution’s international relations, as well as its corporate communication and media strategies. The meetings and presentations provided a valuable opportunity for the exchange of knowledge, experience, and best practices.

Moreover, as part of the program, the delegation also paid a visit to the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye (HREIT), where they were received by the President of the Institution, Mr. Vasip Şahin. Deputy President of the HREIT Mr. Muhammet Ecevit Carti and Board Member Atty. Erol Gökdöl together with relevant experts, delivered a detailed presentation to the delegation about the Institution’s mandate, structure, and activities in the field of human rights and equality.

As part of the training programme, the delegation visited Anıtkabir (Mausoleum) and paid tribute to the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The delegation also visited the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (GNAT), the Nation’s Library of the Presidency of Türkiye, as well as the Ankara Ethnography Museum and the Art and Sculpture Museum.

A closing session was held on the final day of the training program with the participation of Chief Ombudsman of Türkiye Mr. Mehmet Akarca, Ombudsman Ms. Fatma Benli Yalçın, Ombudsman Mr. Abdullah Cengiz Makas, Ombudsman Mr. Özcan Yıldız, and Secretary General Mr. Mehmet Doğan. The session included an overall evaluation of the training program, followed by a certificate presentation ceremony for the delegation of the Office of the Ombudsman Punjab.

The training provided an important opportunity to further strengthen institutional cooperation, the exchange of knowledge and experience, and deepen the longstanding ties of friendship and collaboration between the two Ombudsman institutions. The program also constituted a meaningful contribution to the spirit of solidarity and cooperation promoted under the umbrella of the OICOA.

The working visit concluded in an atmosphere of mutual goodwill and constructive dialogue, further reinforcing the close institutional ties, cooperation and friendship between the Ombudsman Institutions of Türkiye and Punjab.

Within the framework of the “Human Rights Month” declared by the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, a training on the topic “Protection of Children’s Rights: Protection against Discrimination and Promotion of Equality” was held for students and teaching staff at Secondary School No. 282 named after Nadir Aliyev in Baku.

The senior advisor of the Child Rights Protection Sector of the Ombudsman’s Office, Azer Isali, participated as a trainer and provided extensive information on the importance of protecting children’s rights and freedoms, promoting the principles of equality and mutual respect among students, preventing discrimination cases, as well as the nature and consequences of rights violations.

In addition, discussions were held during the training based on examples of discrimination cases, the participants’ views on the topic were heard, and detailed information was provided on the protection of children’s rights, promotion of equality, as well as the Ombudsman’s activities in the field of child rights protection.

At the end of the training, the questions of the students were answered, and awareness-raising publications prepared by the Ombudsman’s Office in the field of protection of children’s rights were presented to the educational institution.

– The ACRC releases major cases of collective civil complaint resolutions since the launch of the Collective Conflict Mediation Bureau last January

– The Bureau swiftly resolves collective civil complaints arising across diverse sectors including transportation, welfare, and the environment

Since the official launch of the Collective Conflict Mediation Bureau on Jan. 27 of this year, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC, Chairperson Jung Il Yeon) has been swiftly resolving collective civil complaints that had been left unaddressed for years going beyond simple legal review to “proactive mediation” that reflects the specific conditions of each case thereby alleviating the difficulties faced by citizens.

The resolved cases that were released this time involve collective civil complaints closely related to everyday life that were deemed problem-free based on paper reviews conducted by the relevant administrative agencies. They were resolved by drawing a consensus among the relevant agencies, focusing on the actual inconveniences and hardships experienced by citizens on the ground.

[Field-Oriented] Focus on Citizens’ Lives Rather Than the Regulations

Extension of the Senior Community Center in Okryong-dong, Gongju-si: the conflict over the extension of the senior community center in a permanent rental apartment estate which had been at a standstill for years—was dramatically resolved after the ACRC conducted three on-site visits to directly assess the poor welfare conditions of elderly residents and persuaded Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH). LH had initially been reluctant to approve the extension, citing the area standards under the relevant regulations. It, however, ultimately agreed to permit the use of the site based on a shared understanding that “senior welfare is directly related to the survival of the elderly” and committed to actively supporting the creation of a resting space for the elderly residents.

[Creative Alternatives] Opening a Third Way of “Mutual Prosperity” Beyond a Simple Permit or Deny Decision

Conflict over the construction of a new cattle shed in Daepyung-ri, Goryeong-gun: residents had been opposed to the construction of a large-scale cattle shed on a site adjacent to a small stream at the entrance of the village, citing concerns over odor, overflow of the small river, and water pollution. Since there was no legal basis, however, to restrict the construction, the conflict between the local government and residents had persisted. In response, the ACRC stepped outside the administrative framework of merely determining whether to grant a permit, and proposed a third way centered on guaranteeing the right to a healthy living environment, paving the way for mutual prosperity. Considering residents’ concerns over odor, overflow, and water pollution, the Commission explicitly incorporated into its mediation proposal “priority consideration for inclusion of the small river improvement project” and “on-site inspection conducted in the presence of resident observers,” thereby securing both the legal right to construct the cattle shed and the trust of the residents at the same time.

[Tangible Outcomes] For Children Forced onto the Roadway, Finding the Answer to Safety in the Field

The safety of the school commute route at Jeonbuk Jeil High School and Iri Middle School in Iksan-si: although the commute route is used daily by approximately 1,000 students, a dangerous situation had persisted in which children were forced onto the roadway due to a one-meter height difference between the sidewalk and the crosswalk. Through an on-site investigation, the ACRC confirmed that children pushed onto the roadway faced a high risk of accidents as they mingled with vehicles entering the school’s main gate, and implemented a combination of measures including facility improvements to eliminate the height difference in the sidewalk and a redesign of the traffic signal system to create a school commute environment where children can feel genuinely safe.

[Reduction of Social Costs] The Miracle of Two Hours Where Data Met Sincerity

Transportation convenience improvements in the new town multi-family housing area of Icheon-si: ahead of large-scale move-ins to the new town, the inconvenience caused by insufficient public transportation and other factors had grown so severe that more than 1,800 civil complaints were filed over six months. The local government had been reluctant to devise alternatives due to the finalized project plan and the lack of budget, but the ACRC facilitated a session in which it persuaded the relevant agencies based on objective demographic data, leading to a dramatic agreement reached in just two hours. Throughout this process, the Commission went beyond simple arbitration and took the lead in fostering communication so that all parties could deeply understand each other’s positions, ultimately reaching swift decisions including the establishment of new bus routes and averting enormous social costs.

Since the launch of the Collective Conflict Mediation Bureau, the ACRC plans to continuously share and disseminate these collective civil complaint resolution cases achieved by listening to the voices of citizens—across the entire government. Chairperson Jung of the ACRC stated, “The Collective Conflict Mediation Bureau is an organization that finds answers not through paperwork-bound administration, but by sincerely listening on the ground where citizens’ lives breathe,” and added, “We will continue to actively identify and share best practices to heal social conflicts and provide stronger protection for citizens’ rights and interests.”