From 18 to 20 November 2024, the Austrian Ombudsman Board (AOB) received a delegation from the Uzbek Ombudsman Institution (Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights) for a study visit in Vienna. Ombudsperson and IOI Secretary General, Ms Gaby Schwarz, and Uzbek Ombudsperson, Ms Feruza Eshmatova, also discussed ways to deepen cooperation within the International Ombudsman Institute.

In an effort to raise awareness about children’s rights in the context of sports, the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children collaborated with the Mauritius Olympic Committee to participate in a workshop titled “Safeguarding Children’s Rights in the Sports Context,” organised on 16 November 2024. The event brought together 35 participants, including athletes and coaches, to engage in meaningful discussions and training on the rights of children in sports and the ethical responsibilities of those working with young athletes.

Kindly click here to read an informational article submitted by the Ethiopian Institution of the Ombudsman (EIO) about its mandate, work and current challenges.

The Yukon Ombudsman’s office has completed a formal investigation regarding the practice of site saving at Yukon Parks campgrounds. The investigative report concluded that the Department of Environment’s lack of enforcement due to insufficient tracking of site saving is unfair and made six recommendations.

La institución Defensor del Pueblo ha solicitado a las consejerías de Sanidad todas las comunidades autónomas información para conocer cómo se coordina la actividad sanitaria con los centros de atención a la drogodependencia y reclamar que ésta, de no existir, se active.

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman has published a report spotlighting concerns about the fairness and consistency of grants awarded through the Scottish Welfare Fund. The report highlights issues with the distribution of the Fund, which provides grants to those in crisis. 

Kindly click here to read an article by the Parliamentary Ombudsman, Mr Joseph Zammit McKeon, which was published in the "Movers and Shakers 2024". 

On 21 November 2024, the Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, announced the completion of a direct investigation operation into the handling of obstructions to passageways by bicycles owned by operators of bicycle rental services of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and made eight recommendations to the Department.

Public Protector Adv. Kholeka Gcaleka recently addressed final year law students at the University of the Witwatersrand. Kindly click here to read Adv. Gcaleka’s speech.

In a meaningful outreach initiative, the Ombudsperson Punjab, Ms. Nabila Hakim Ali Khan, visited the Women University of Multan to promote awareness about critical legal protections for women. During a seminar held on campus, Ms. Khan discussed two essential legal frameworks designed to protect women's rights: the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 2010 and the Punjab Enforcement of Women Property Rights Act 2021. Her aim was to emphasise the importance of understanding and utilizing these laws to safeguard women’s rights.