In a bid to bring its frontline services closer to the public, the Office of the Ombudsman opened its satellite office in Roxas City, Capiz on 30 January 2024.  Ombudsman Samuel Martires led the opening of the Ombudsman Assistance Center (OAC) in City Mall Roxas City in partnership with Double Dragon Corporation President Ferdinand Sia.

The Ombudsman Assistance Center will cater to walk-in clients for the filing of complaints and Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth including the processing of Ombudsman clearance. Designed to provide responsive and streamlined frontline services, Ombudsman Assistance Centers nationwide are being established to ensure efficient service delivery and expedite OMB frontline transactions.  Several OACs are set to be opened in Pasay City, Tuguegarao City, Dumaguete City, San Jose in Antique and Zamboanga City.

The OAC in Jolo, located in the Sulu Capitol Complex, Brgy. Bangkal, Patikul, Sulu, was also opened on 28 January 2024.

Mr. Ajaz Ali Khan, Honourable Ombudsman Sindh held meeting with Secretary to Government of Sindh, School Education & Literacy Department to discuss progress regarding implementation of recommendations of the study “Issues of Girls’ Education in Sindh”.

2. The Secretary, Sindh Education & Literacy Department states that Sindh is currently facing a critical challenge in the education sector, characterized by many non-functional one room schools, which developed graveyard of schools, as there are 25,000 one room schools against total 36,000 primary schools in the province. She expressed that it is need of the time that such non-performing schools should gradually be replaced with more effective educational facilities to address the issues of significant number of out of school children, dropout rate and gender gap. She also emphasized that number of female teachers needs to be increased, besides taking measures to encourage girls’ enrolment and its retention by providing stipend, scholarships and transportation in priority Districts. Furthermore, to elevate the attendance rate of female students and teachers we have to encourage the private sector/civil society for sustainable quality education through public private partnerships.
3. She highlighted that keeping in view of successful experiment of construction of low-cost housing model in the recently flood affected areas it is being considered to adopt the same patron for construction of Low-Cost Community Based Schools, initially 50 schools having six (6) rooms each 20’x 16’. This would be at one hand cost friendly in compare to conventional RCC structure and other sides also reduce the construction time and improve the quality of work.
4.  She also expressed that one Taluka Education Officer (TEO) is dealing with budget almost 500 schools, which is neither humanly nor physically possible, therefore, it is being considered to abolish the said position by replacing with Head Teacher with proper rationalized SNE for each school for their smooth running.

5. Honourable Ombudsman Sindh observed that the proposals of the Secretary School Education would be helpful for implementation of recommendations of the study thereby it has been emphasized provision of physical infrastructure, female teachers in girls’ school, proper SNE for schools, maintaining the student teacher ratio, posting of Naib Qasid and chowkidar etc.
6. The Secretary School Education also pointed out that “Teacher Licensing Initiatives” is being introduced according to which persons possessing valid teaching license would be eligible to impart education and this policy has to be adopted by every school. Furthermore, Directorate of Literacy and Non-Formal Education (L&NFE) will give second chance to those girls who missed it in the first place by holding classes in the evening for the children (9 to 16 years) in schools not having second shift.
7. Honourable Ombudsman Sindh expressed his concern about partial availability of text books to the students in the current session and directed the Secretary School Education to ensure the availability of text books to all the students prior to start of new session. It has also been directed to carry out the survey for authentic disaggregated data of out of school children for better planning, conduct trainings for the newly appointed teachers, formulation of SMCs headed by mother, proper monitoring of teachers attendance by the M&E Wing and take appropriate disciplinary action against absconder teachers.
8. The Honourable Ombudsman Sindh also directed the Secretary School Education to ensure posting/replacement of retired teachers, be notified six month prior to their retirement, to avoid closing of schools and also the issues such as appointment of teachers, increasing the enrollment etc. with Education Management Organizations (EMOs) be looked into by the department.

– Initiating the establishment of an Integrated Administrative Appeals System in 2024 and opening it in 2025

– Ensuring convenient use of services from filing to checking results through a single system

Filing administrative appeals online through a single system will become available, leading to conveniently filing appeals and checking results.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC, Chairperson Ryu Chul Whan) announced that an Integrated Administrative Appeals System will be established in 2024, ensuring more convenient utilization by gathering administrative appeals in a single system.

The current administrative appeals systems vary, with some agencies utilizing an online system of the Central Administrative Appeals Commission (CAAC), others establishing and operating their own independent systems, and some only receiving requests in writing. This has led to inconveniences in utilizing administrative appeals services, such as filing administrative appeals in different ways depending on the matter.

In order to address these inconveniences, ACRC has been promoting the establishment of an Integrated Administrative Appeals System, with the aim of opening it by early 2025. Once the system is established, filing appeals and checking results will become available through a single system, irrespective of the type of administrative appeals.

Furthermore, the system will significantly enhance convenience for citizens by offering various reinforced functions, such as checking precedent decisions and completing request forms.

ACRC Secretary General and Vice Chairperson Chung Seung Yun said, “The establishment of an Integrated Administrative Appeals System aims to ensure that citizens can conveniently access administrative appeals, fulfilling the establishment of the one-stop administrative appeals system, a national policy task of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. We anticipate a significant expansion in the utilization of administrative appeals by the people.”

DELAY IN ISSUANCE OF PASSPORTS: WAFAQI MOHTASIB DIRECTS INSPECTION TEAMS TO VISIT PASSPORT OFFICES AT ISLAMABAD AND OTHER MAJOR CITIES.

OVERSEAS PAKISTANIS WORST SUFFERERS IN THE EPISODE: WAFAQI MOHTASIB.

CORRUPT ELEMENTS TO BE EXPOSED AND PUNISHED, SAYS WAFAQI MOHTASIB.

Expressing his deep concern over the persistent complaints of irregularities, malpractices, inordinate delays and unsatisfactory facilities at the Passport Offices for the general public, the Wafaqi Mohtasib, Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi has directed immediate inspection of the Passport Offices by the Wafaqi Mohtasib’s Inspection Teams at Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar and other major cities for looking into these complaints and suggesting urgent remedial measures.

It may be recalled that taking suo moto notice of very large number of complaints against the delay in issuance of passports, an Inspection Team from the WMS had earlier visited the Passport Office Islamabad on the directions of the Wafaqi Mohtasib to ascertain the causes of the delay and breakdown of the efficient delivery services there. The Compliance Report submitted by the Passport Office as a follow-up was termed as unsatisfactory and lacking in substance by the Wafaqi Mohtasib.

The Wafaqi Mohtasib said that the Overseas Pakistanis are the worst sufferers in the entire episode as in a number of cases either their visas got expired or they have been unable to join their jobs abroad owing to this state of affairs. Same is the case with those who wanted to proceed abroad in connection with their higher studies or family visits etc. He said that the elements found responsible for creating artificial shortages and indulging in malpractices and other irregularities need to be exposed and be dealt with an iron hand to ensure that things would run smoothly in the respective Passport Offices. ”The Passport Office must put its own house in order with a view to ensuring efficient delivery of services to the people, for which they pay to the organization regularly and frequent breakdowns in this connection are unfortunate and absolutely unacceptable”, he observed

The Ombudsman of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, held a meeting with juveniles in the correctional facility of the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice.

During her speech, the Ombudsman emphasized the importance for juveniles to carry out a healthy lifestyle, to continue their education and acquire new knowledge, and spend their leisure time effectively, which will contribute to their formation as good citizens in society.
S. Aliyeva also underlined that the State has taken the necessary steps for their societal integration and adaptation after their release. 

Ruhi Aliyeva, the head of “Liatris Holding”, who participated in the event, highlighted the significance of the Ombudsman’s activities carried out for the development of strong spirits in young people and expressed gratitude for the collaboration in this direction. 

Afterward, the Ombudsman had a private talk with juveniles, inquired about their concerns, and added that she always focuses on the protection of their rights. 

At the end of the meeting, the juveniles were presented gifts. 

– Investigations to be carried out in collaboration with 228 supervisory agencies, including central administrative agencies and local governments

– Public service-related organizations’ compliance with external interviewer ratio and preferential hiring and requiring job applicants to bear expenses for hiring examinations, etc. to be inspected

Joint government investigations will be carried out into hiring processes of employees newly hired over the last year by 1,386 public service-related organizations. This time, in particular, whether public organizations have passed on hiring examination expenses to the job applicants will be also investigated.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC, Chairperson Yoo Cheol-hwan) carries out fact-finding investigations into hiring processes of public service-related organizations for 2024, in conjunction with a total of 228 supervisory agencies, including 40 central administrative agencies, such as the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Interior and Safety, and 180 local governments, such as Seoul Metropolitan City.

The ACRC this year conducts direct field investigations of 23 organizations that have been in blind spots of investigation without designated supervisory agencies having clear audit authority and thus treated as if they were private organizations.

This time, the ACRC will investigate into whether 1,396 public service-related organizations have complied with laws and regulations, upper guidelines, and their internal regulations in conducting new hiring procedures over the past year.

This year, a new item, such as public service-related organizations’ compliance with the Fair Hiring Procedure Act that falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Employment and Labor that sets forth prohibition on requiring job applicants to bear hiring examination expenses, etc. is added to the contents of investigation.

Following completion of investigations, the ACRC plans to take stern measures such as requesting further investigation by prosecution or disciplinary actions against those involved in hiring irregularities, and if there are victims from hiring irregularities, active remedies including granting opportunities for hiring re-examinations will be offered.

The ACRC has been providing “consulting on public organizations’ bylaws related to hiring procedures” to analyze internal hiring rules of each organization to find any violations or omissions of upper guidelines for fair hiring and issue recommendations for improvements.

This year, local public service-related organizations that received warnings many times during investigation conducted last year will be subject to the ACRC’s consulting. More specifically, bylaws of 415 local public corporations and local government-funded organizations relatively vulnerable to hiring irregularities will be subject to intensive analysis for improvements.

The ACRC handles reported cases of hiring irregularities other than conducting investigations on a regular basis, and anyone who identifies hiring irregularities can file a report via Clean Portal at www.clean.go.kr, mail or in person.

The ACRC Chairperson and Secretary-General Jeong Seung-yoon stated, “the Transparency and fairness in employment in the public sector are the building blocks for the youth, who take their first steps into society, to develop their sense of fairness as future public officials,” adding that “the ACRC will continue to make even greater efforts to ensure fairness in employment in the public sector.”

Mohtasib resolves 193,028 complaints, provides relief of Rs 4.898 billion.

Islamabad, 07 February 2024: Wafaqi Mohtasib has resolved 193,028 complaints against the maladministration of government departments and provided relief worth Rs 4.898 billion to citizens. The Mohtasib processed a record 194,099 complaints during 2023, the registration of complaints witnessed a surge of 18% while the disposal of complaints increased by 22% as compared to 2022. Furthermore, on the recommendations of Wafaqi Mohtasib, 18,000 street children were enrolled in government schools in Islamabad.

This was highlighted by Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman), Mr Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, during a briefing given to President Dr Arif Alvi, who visited Wafaqi Mohtasib Office, in Islamabad, today. The meeting was attended by advisors to the Ombudsman and senior officials of the Mohtasib.

While briefing the President, the Federal Ombudsman highlighted the role and performance of the institution. He informed that 193,028 complaints were addressed in 2023 whereas monetary relief of Rs 4.898 billion was provided to the complainants. The meeting was told that 85.4% of Wafaqi Mohtasib‘s decisions were implemented last year, and efforts were underway to further improve the implementation rate. It was apprised that the greater use of technology in Mohtasib had enhanced people’s accessibility as 48,190 complaints in 2023 were registered online, which was an increase of 47% from the year 2022. Similarly, 22,321 complaints were received through Mohtasib’s mobile App in 2023 with an increase of 21% as compared to 2022. The meeting was also told that under the Integrated Complaint Resolution System, 18,469 complaints were processed in 2023, whereas Mohtasib’s teams had also held Khuli Katcheries, and inspection visits to address people’s grievances against government agencies. It was added that 2,113 cases were disposed of through the Informal Resolution of Disputes. The steps taken for the facilitation and resolution of complaints, filed by Overseas Pakistanis, were also highlighted. The Mohtasib further informed that the awareness campaign, undertaken by the Ombudsman, had greatly increased its outreach as well as helped address people’s complaints at their doorsteps.

Highlighting the significance of Mohtasib in the provision of expeditious justice and curbing corrupt practices, the President said that Mohtasib was helping promote good governance and delivering free-of-cost justice to people. He stressed the need to further enhance awareness among the people about the role and services of Mohtasib in the provision of timely justice against maladministration of government departments. He also urged the need to further expand the outreach of the Mohtasib to far-flung areas of the country, besides improving people’s access to Mohtasib by utilizing modern technology.

The President lauded the performance of the Wafaqi Mohtasib and said that it was doing a remarkable job by providing prompt relief to the people.

Surabaya – Chairman of the Indonesian Ombudsman Mokhammad Najih handed over the 2023 Public Service Compliance Assessment Award Charter to City/Regency Governments in East Java Province, as well as to the East Java Provincial Government’s Levy Eradication Unit (UPP), on Wednesday (24/1/2024) at the office East Java Province Regional Secretariat.

Mokhammad Najih said that the East Java Provincial Government received the Green Zone Predicate and entered the top 10 with a score of 88.81 in the Highest Quality Assessment, where previously in 2022 it received a score of 79.35.

“The Compliance Assessment will be developed into a Public Service Oversight Opinion. Not all Ministries/Institutions and Regional Governments receive certificates of appreciation from the Indonesian Ombudsman even though their compliance zoning gets a Green Zone. The results of the Compliance Assessment are intended as material for evaluating government performance in implementing services,” said Najih.

Najih hopes that all regencies/cities will enter the Green Zone and more regions will enter the top 10. “Hopefully this achievement will be a motivation to continue to increase our good deeds for the people of the nation and state. Keep up the enthusiasm for the front line, all levels of public servants,” hoped Najih.

In addition, the Chief Representative of the Indonesian Ombudsman for East Java Province, Agus Muttaqin, said that specifically for East Java Province, in 2022, out of a total of 38 regencies/cities in East Java, 15 regencies/cities will be included in the Green Zone. Meanwhile, for 2023, regencies/cities in East Java will experience improvements and improvements with a total of 36 regencies/cities in East Java entering the Green Zone, both High and Highest Quality, and only two entering the Yellow Zone.

“We appreciate that several regencies/cities that we have assessed have coordinated well so far. Nearly 98 percent of East Java is included in the Green Zone, and we hope it can be maintained and improved,” said Agus.

On the same occasion, Plt. Assistant General Administration of the East Java Provincial Secretariat, Akhmad Jazuli, said that the Compliance Assessment of Public Service Delivery carried out by the Indonesian Ombudsman was a form of evaluation of the quality of public services so that it was hoped that public services would be more excellent.

“Three things to develop bureaucratic performance as well as improve the quality of public services, namely first, how to always maintain efforts at the quality of public services. Second, how to use technology to provide services that are increasingly cheaper, easier, friendlier and faster. Third, provide opportunities and stimulate the growth of improvement. public services to respond to community service needs,” explained Akhmad Jazuli.

This activity was attended by all Regents, Mayors, Regional Secretaries, five Levies Eradication Units (UPP) of the East Java Provincial Government, and OPD in East Java. (HA).

On January 29, 2024, Public Defender of Georgia Levan Ioseliani participated in the meeting of the Council of Ethnic Minorities of the Public Defender, where early/childhood marriage and solutions to this challenge were discussed.

The legislation and regulations implemented in practice in the direction of eliminating early marriage, the historical and cultural aspects of this problem, the situation in Kvemo Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kakheti regions, including at schools, were also the topics of discussion at the meeting. The policy implemented by the State to eliminate and prevent early/childhood marriage was presented.

The Chairwoman of the Gender Equality Council of the Parliament, Nino Tsilosani, representatives of the Government of Georgia and non-governmental organizations operating in the country took part in the event.

On January 5, 2024, the Authorized person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman) and members of his Public Group on Detection and Prevention of Torture made a monitoring visit to Correctional Colony No. 11, located in the city of Navoi.

The members of the public groups attended the participation of non-governmental non-profit organizations, including the chairpersons of the “Yuksalish” movement and the NGO “Legal Support”, and familiarized themselves with the conditions in the institution.

During the visit, inmates were interviewed, and conditions in the colony’s beds, kitchen, library, treatment unit, long- and short-term detention rooms, and production facility were examined.

During the inspection of inmates’ beds, Dauletmurat Tadjimuratov, an inmate serving a sentence in this colony, was also met. During the interview, D. Tadjimuratov reported that food supply in the colony is good, there are no cases of torture and harassment, and the treatment and prevention department provides timely assistance when medical care is needed.

According to conversations with the colony management and research conducted, D. Tadjimuratov is serving his sentence in accordance with the law. It ensures his rights defined by the Criminal Executive Code and fulfills the duties defined by this Code. No special restrictions or benefits are provided. Also during the interview, the current legal requirements were explained to him.

In order to ensure timely elimination of the shortcomings identified during the monitoring visit, the Ombudsman’s recommendations are forwarded to the competent ministries and agencies.

We recall that the analytical data prepared by the Ombudsman on the results of monitoring visits on the prevention of torture, including the shortcomings identified during the monitoring, are transmitted to the chambers of the Oliy Majlis and to the relevant State bodies.