On 21 January 2025, the current Chairperson of the Austrian Ombudsman Board (AOB), Ms. Elisabeth Schwetz, welcomed the Public Defender of Rights of the Slovak Republic, Mr. Róbert Dobrovodský, and his delegation at the premises of the AOB. Mr. Dobrovodský was accompanied by staff members specialised in fundamental rights and NPM matters. The purpose of this inaugural visit was an exchange on thematic areas such as police matters and human rights. 

The Minister of Finance has declined a request from the Yukon Ombudsman, Information and Privacy Commissioner, and Public Interest Disclosure Commissioner, Jason Pedlar, to cease Government of Yukon’s unprecedented insertion into his budgetary process, and follow the legislated procedures designed to safeguard the independence of his three mandates. The Minister’s response has forced Pedlar to explore legal action to uphold international standards and protect the rights of Yukoners.

Rosemary Agnew, the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO), has launched an online training to help public service organisations handle complaints from or involving children and young people. The online training course is designed for complaints handlers and frontline staff. It shows how organisations can put children and young people’s rights at the heart of the complaints process.

Drawing on a review of the Ombudsman’s cases closed between April 2023 and September 2024, the report sheds light on recurring themes related to the difficulties people have faced in accessing public services in Wales.

Ten students from Sukkur IBA University have been selected as Ambassadors for Ombudsman Sindh as part of the 4th Round of the Ambassador Program. Earlier, 10 students each from Hamdard University, Sindh Madressatul Islam University and Salim Habib University were selected. The selected students aim to foster civic responsibility, promoting accountability and support the Ombudsman’s mission.

For the first time in history, all the countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands have an ombudsman, and for the first time, they convened in Aruba. The meeting took place from 13 till 15 January 2025.

Applications are sought from suitably qualified individuals who wish to be considered for the role of the next Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Monday, 10 February 2025.

On 22 Januar 2025, the Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, announced the completion of a direct investigation operation into the Government’s work in combating the abuse of public housing resources, with 31 major recommendations for improvement made to the Hong Kong Housing Authority and the Hong Kong Housing Society.

Kindly click here to read about the outreach initiatives by the Office of the Ombudsman Tonga to different islands of the Kingdom.

On 20 December 2024, the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China celebrated its 25th anniversary. On the same date, amongst the holders of key public positions, a new Commissioner against Corruption of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China was appointed, Ms. Ao Ieong Seong.