OVER 1800 CASES WERE RESOLVED IN ONE YEAR THROUGH MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION

Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat organized a Webinar on Informal Resolution of Disputes (IRD): Pakistan’s Experience from the platform of Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA) on 14^th June 2023. Inaugurating the Webinar, Wafaqi Mohtasib Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi highlighted the main features of the IRD system in administering free and expeditious justice to the general public through mediation and conciliation without the necessity of docketing any complaint or issuing any official notice. He stated that the Wafaqi Mohtasib’s institution being a Poor man’s court, was addressing complaints of maladministration by Federal agencies in large numbers. Mr. Qureshi said that the IRD initiative adds value to the services of this institution in addressing issues of maladministration and promoting thereby good governance, the rule of law and the fundamental freedoms.

Addressing the participants, Wafaqi Mohtasib Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi added that the IRD mechanism involves resolution of disputes through mediation and persuasion rather than a decision arrived at through following a strict process or procedure. He emphasized that the IRD system responds to the dire needs of the general public for resolution of disputes at grass roots level without hiring the services of an advocate or waiting for lengthy legal processes. Mr. Qureshi stated that from April 2022 till today, 1911 complaints were received under IRD out of which 1837 have been resolved while 74 are under process.

The Webinar was attended by over 70 participants representing member institutions of the Asian Ombudsman Association including Azerbaijan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and other countries. It was also attended by the representatives of Ombudsman institutions functioning in the country including Provincial Ombudsman Sindh, Banking Mohtasib, Federal Tax Ombudsman and the Regional Offices of the Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat. The Webinar was addressed by Mr. Shahzar Ilahi, Associate Director, MICADR Centre for Arbitration and Dispute Resolution in Pakistan. Mr. Justice M. Raza Khan,  formerly Chief Justice KPK High Court and the Federal Secretary, Law and Justice Division spoke about the practices and procedures of IRD in the context of Wafaqi Mohtasib’s institution.

Wafaqi Mohtasib Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi who is the current President of the Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA), further stated that the Webinar was part of the series of activities planned for promoting professionalism, cooperation and ombudsmanship in Asia and beyond. He offered that Pakistan remained ready to share its expertise and best practices on subjects of professional interest with members of other regional and international ombudsman associations.

Federal Ombudsman Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi visited Quetta from 30^th May 2023 to 2nd June 2023. He participated in a seminar on “The Role of Ombudsman in safeguarding Public Rights and Good Governance” held under Fourm of Pakistan  Ombudsman (FPO) on 31st May 2023, which was chaired by the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi. This seminar was also attended among others, by Governor Balochistan Sardar Abdul Wali Kakar, Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment at Work Place (FOSPAH) Ms. Fauzia Viqar, and Provincial Ombudsman of Baluchistan Mr. Nazar Muhammad Baloch.

In his address, the President said that Ombuds Institutions of Pakistan need to ensure good governance through safeguarding public rights. He also emphasized for resolving the disputes through informal methods following the conciliation and mediation system so that the load on the judiciary is reduced.

Federal Ombudsman Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi in his speech said that ever increasing number of complaints received is a clear manifestation of the trust and confidence reposed by the people in the capacity of this institution to provide inexpensive and expeditious justice against administrative excesses by any government agency.

Federal Ombudsman also held meetings with the members of Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries and Chamber of small and medium enterprises. On this occasion Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi updated the representatives of business community about the performance of Federal Ombudsman‘s office and its Regional Offices. He said that efforts are being made to provide relief to common man against the maladministration of Federal agencies. Highlighting the achievements of Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat, he said that without any additional resources it had registered 164,173, complaints in 2022, out of which 95% complaints were resolved. Similarly since January 2023, 88320 complaints have been registered. Federal Ombudsman’s offices are playing key role in solving the problems of poor people, he added. He also met with the Heads of Federal Government departments and urged them to undertake all possible steps to resolve the persistent problems relating to Suigas , Electricity, Postal Life  Insurance, Passport, NADRA and alike.

On 1^st June 2023, Federal Ombudsman Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi presided over the meeting on Jail Reforms, which was attended among others by Mr. Shuja-uddin Kasi, IG Prisons Balochistan. The meeting took stock of problems faced by the jail inmates and recommended that provision of facilities like education, health and clean drinking water be ensured in all jails of Balochistan. Separate barracks be constructed for women and juvenile prisoners.

Federal Ombdusman Mr. EjazAhamd Qureshi hosted a reception in the honor of renowned intellectuals, poets and writers. Addressing them he said that Balochistan Province has peculiar problems due to its vast geographical area, with thin population. However, he assured that his Secretariat is already operating three offices in Baluchistan, one each at Quetta, Khuzdar and Kharan while efforts are in hand to open three more Regional Offices at Sibbi, Turbat and Loralai, which will enhance Wafaqi Mohtasib’s presence in far flung and rural areas of Balochistan.

On May 10-11, 2023, Gvantsa Davitashvili and Giorgi Kvirikashvili, representatives of the Department of Human Rights Education of the Public Defender’s Office, together with Andranik Baghdasarian, an employee of the East Georgia Division of the Office, held meetings in Akhaltsikhe with the administration, academic staff and students of law and other programs of Samtskhe-Javakheti State University, as well as students of local public schools.

During discussion with the university’s administration and academic staff, representatives of the Office outlined the ways of implementation of the recommendations issued by the Public Defender relating to the education of human rights law within the framework of undergraduate law programmes. The conversation touched upon the methodological issues of human rights education, the importance of updating the syllabi with literature compatible with human rights, and the need to cooperate with the Public Defender’s Office in this process.

Students of the public governance, law and pedagogical faculties received information about the recommendations issued by the Public Defender regarding the education materials used in higher educational institutions.

A discussion was also held with students of Akhaltsikhe public school No. 1 on challenges relating to human rights education.

During the meeting with citizenship education teachers, the quality of human rights education in schools and practical challenges were analyzed. The teachers spoke in detail about the problems identified and the ways to solve them, emphasizing the importance of the Public Defender’s involvement in the process.

On May 23-25, the Head of the Department of Human Rights Education, Gvantsa Davitashvili, held working meetings with the dean, professors and visiting lecturers of the faculty of law and social sciences of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University. The topics of discussion included the perspectives of the Public Defender’s cooperation with representatives of the academic circle and effective mechanisms for the implementation of the Public Defender’s recommendations.

Gvantsa Davitashvili also met with citizenship education teachers of various public schools of the region and discussed the involvement of the Public Defender at the level of general education, including in the process of approving school textbooks. They also discussed the recommendations issued by the Public Defender and the creation of new platforms for cooperation with teachers in the future.

Meetings were also held with students of various faculties of the university and schools, where the Head of the Department of Human Rights Education spoke about the main directions of the Department’a activity and the importance of human rights education.

The meetings were held within the framework of the partnership programme between the Public Defender’s Office and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

On the initiative of the Ombudsman, within the framework of “World Autism Month”, the Ombudsman’s Western, North-West, Northern, and Southern Regional Centers organized legal awareness events on the topics of “Public Awareness of Autism” and “Benefits of Early Diagnosis”.

In the educational events, the history, essence, and goal of April 2 – World Autism Day, as well as the onset of autism in early childhood, symptoms, causes, and neurological aspects of autism, were discussed.

For the further information see the link https://bit.ly/3NzW3l3

On May 30, 2023, Public Defender Levan Ioseliani met with members of the Council of Religions of the Public Defender of Georgia.

Those present at the meeting discussed challenges relating to the protection of the rights of religious minorities and spoke about the need to implement the recommendations developed by the Public Defender and the Council of Religions in order to strengthen the tolerant culture.

The Public Defender emphasized the importance of the activities of the Council of Religions and confirmed his full support to the members of the Council.

Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights Feruza Eshmatova is currently in the Republic of Hungary on a working visit. A number of meetings are scheduled for May 16-19 within the framework of the first official conference of the heads of the Ombudsman institutions and national human rights institutions, organized by the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights of the Republic of Hungary Akos Kozma.

On May 16, 2023, members of the delegation consisting of representatives of the ombudsman institutions of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan met with the Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Hungary. The Hungarian Constitutional Court, composed of 15 judges, was established in 1990. During the meeting, the chairman of the court, introducing the guests to the activities of this institution, also touched upon a number of powers of the ombudsman institution. According to him, the Hungarian Ombudsman has the right to apply to the Constitutional Court in case of gross violations of the law in the interests of human rights. The Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights also has this authority.

On the same day, the Ombudsmen also met with the head of the National Prison Service of the Republic of Hungary. In Hungary, it is known that closed institutions such as penitentiaries and pre-trial detention centers operate independently of the Ministry of the Interior. At the meeting, information was given about the conditions created for convicts and prisoners, their training in professions, involvement in useful work, innovative technologies being introduced into practice.

The meeting reviewed the experience and results achieved by the countries of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Kazakhstan in relation to monitoring visits to closed institutions with limited freedom of movement under the leadership of the Ombudsman within the framework of the National Preventive Mechanism.

More than 150 employees work in the central office of the Hungarian Ombudsman. Since March 2022, 6 regional offices of the Ombudsman have started working.

On the second day of the visit, the guests visited the regional office of the Hungarian Ombudsman in Debrecen, which has 10 employees. The attention of the delegation was drawn to the creation in this department of a separate department for working with appeals from people with disabilities.

Also at the meetings, an exchange of experience took place regarding the role of ombudsman institutions in ensuring the rights of refugees and socially vulnerable groups of the population, as well as cooperation between national human rights institutions and law enforcement agencies.

In the middle of May, the CCAC held the Awards Ceremony of “Panel of Advisors for Teaching Materials on Integrity of the CCAC” cum Thematic Sharing Session to award the members of the panel of advisors for writing, scrutinising and teaching trial lessons for the teaching materials for the CCAC. During the ceremony, it invited an expert representative of the members of the panel of advisors to discuss with the individuals of the education sector on the topic of “Integrity Education for Teenagers in the Era of Artificial Intelligence – Opportunities and Challenges”. Through this activity, it hopes to connect the education workers of Macao and continuously improves the integrity education work for teenagers.

On 3 May, in Baku, a scientific-practical conference on the topic “The National Leader Heydar Aliyev and the Development of Human Rights in an Independent Azerbaijan”, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, was organized by the Ombudsman’s Office.

Opening the conference, the Ombudsman said that as a result of the initiative, attention, and concern of the Great Leader Heydar Aliyev, as a part of ensuring the implementation of those documents, comprehensive measures were implemented to improve human rights protection mechanisms in our country.

For the further information see the link https://bit.ly/3BaiN3E

ACRC held workshops for local government officers in charge of audit and subsidy project affairs

Three years on from the Implementation of the Public Fund Recovery Act … ACRC shared achievements and discussed ways to prevent public fund leakage

Local governments across the nation were provided with a venue for communication to share the achievements made in the course of the implementation of the Act on the Prohibition of False Claims for Public Funds and Recovery of Illicit Profits (herein after referred to as the “Public Fund Recovery Act”) for the last three years and to address the institutional blind spots of the public fund management.

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC, Chairperson Jeon Hyun-hui) held last month the workshop for improvement in transparency in public fund management and reinforcement of management capacity for officers from 203 local governments*, who are in charge of affairs related to audit and subsidy administration, at the Korea Press Center.

*local governments that received ACRC recommendations for implementation of illicit profit recovery rules in accordance with the fact-finding inspection result of Feb. 2023

During the workshop, the ACRC explained major provisions of the Public Fund Recovery Act, sharing the experience of the implementation of the Act over the last three years and discussing in depth measures to prevent subsidy frauds, including oil subsidies and public direct payments for agriculture and rural communities.

As the eradication of false claims for public funds is a matter that requires the government-wide cooperation, the ACRC invited officials of the Korea Fiscal Information Service, an affiliated organization under the Ministry of Finance and Economy, and the Ministry of Interior and Safety that are in charge of the administration of central and local government subsidies to the workshop for training regarding cases of subsidy frauds and responses.

With its 1^st workshop held in Seoul, the Commission plans to organize workshops by region, making necessary adjustments to the scope of participants and the contents of training in accordance with needs of each institution.

The Public Fund Recovery Act was legislated in April 2019 to improve soundness and transparency in public finance and became effective in January 2020.

The Commission has distributed authoritative interpretation casebooks to public institutions for stable establishment of the public fund recovery system and improvement in the awareness of the general public and public servants and provided tailored education for officials in charge of the matter.

In addition, the Commission has been putting various efforts into eradicating subsidy frauds through stable implementation of the public fund recovery system, including distribution of promotional video and brochure to inform the general public of the system, fact-finding inspection of the status of recovery of payments from public finance by public institutions of various levels, and offering recommendations to public institutions found to have failed in administrating appropriate disposition of recovery and additional monetary sanctions.

*the data for the status of imposition in 2022 is tentative and the finalized one is slated to be made public in the first half of 2023.

ACRC Chairperson Jeon Hyun-hui said, “Since the implementation of the Public Fund Recovery Act, we made some fruitful outcomes, such as increases in the amount of recovered payments from public finance and additional monetary sanctions and spread of the awareness of importance of eradication of subsidy frauds, thanks to the efforts put in by officials in charge at public institutions of various levels. The Commission will continue to faithfully manage the public fund recovery system, contributing to achieving the pan-governmental goal of sound fiscal management in cooperation with relevant agencies.”

On 8 May 2023, the signing of the MOU on bilateral cooperation between the Chief Ombudsman of Thailand, Mr. Somsak Suwansujarit, and the Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea, Ms. Jeon Hyun -Heui, took place at the Office of the Secretariat of the International Ombudsman Institute in Vienna, the Republic of Austria.

The MOU signing was the fourth extension of bilateral cooperation between the Ombudsman of Thailand and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea, which will be effective until 2028. This is to continue the collaborative activities that aim at jointly developing the complaint handling system, actively resolving difficulties and inconveniences encountered by their nationals, and promoting civil rights and acting in accordance with the prevailing laws and regulations of their countries.

After the signing of the MOU extension, the Chief Ombudsman (Mr. Somsak Suwansujarit) and Ombudsman of Thailand (Mr. Songsak Saicheua) attended a bilateral meeting with the Chairperson of the ACRC (Ms. Jeon Hyun-Heui) to discuss guidelines to holding future collaborative activities. Both sides decided to cooperate in order to create awareness of and access to the complaint handling system, through the public relation strategy of the embassies in their both countries. This is for the sake of finding solutions to the problems facing the people. Both parties also accepted to hold online meetings regularly to administer and discuss collaborations that will bring the two organisations closer together