New South Wales (NSW) Ombudsman Paul Miller has called for greater visibility of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other machine technology by NSW Government agencies. In a report tabled in Parliament, the Ombudsman has cautioned agencies that using machine technology in ways that do not accord with standards of lawfulness, transparency, fairness and accountability, could lead to findings of maladministration or potentially unlawful conduct.

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, commemorated on 25 November, the Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina emphasised that any violence against women and girls is unacceptable and constitutes a serious violation of human rights.

Ambas instituciones impulsarán políticas públicas para combatir la discriminación, xenofobia y el racismo. El acuerdo fue rubricado por el defensor Jorge Henn y la titular del organismo nacional, Victoria Donda.

The African Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC) – the research and training arm of the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA) – cordially invites you to a facilitated Zoom discussion on “Ethical, Transparent and Accountable Leadership”, which will take place on 14 December 2021 from 10.00 – 11.30 am SA (GMT+2).

On 30 November 2021, the workshop «Gender y prisons» will take place, organised by the Spanish NPM and the Illustrious College of Lawyers of Alcalá de Henares. After a previous presentation of the main aspects identified in the NPM's «prisons and gender» project, there will be a Zoom discussion with the members of the Bar Association.

La protectrice du citoyen du Québec, Mme Marie Rinfret, vient d’être élue présidente de l’Association des Ombudsmans et Médiateurs de la Francophonie (AOMF) à l’issue de l’assemblée générale virtuelle du jeudi 25 novembre 2021 où ont été élus un nouveau Bureau, Conseil d’administration et Comité des adhésions. Leur mandat sera d’une durée de trois ans.

Chris Field, President of the International Ombudsman Institute, addressed the Caribbean Ombudsman Association (CAROA) webinar How to be effective as a small Ombuds institution, on 25 November 2021. President Field told webinar participants that: “I recognise and respect the powerful nature of small Ombuds offices in the services they provide."

As EU countries grapple with a new wave of Covid-19, police, media and NGOs continue to report on increasing rates of violence against women and girls. This ‘shadow pandemic’ has a devastating effect on the rights of women and girls across Europe. The EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) call on the EU and all Member States to redouble their efforts to protect women's rights and to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women with concrete action.