BackOn 8 November 2016, the Seimas (Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania) appointed Mr. Augustinas Normantas to the post of the Seimas Ombudsman for the third term. Mr. Normantas also acts as the Head of the Seimas Ombudsmen's Office.
His candidacy was chosen by the Speaker of the Seimas, after thorough deliberations with different groups of the political parties at the Seimas, civil society and NGO’s that also considered the nomination.
“In the light of the resolution adopted by the Seimas in 2014, the Seimas Ombudsmen's Office is actively involved in the shaping of the overall human rights concept, policies, and practices in the country. Therefore, cooperation with the Seimas Committees on Human Rights, Legal, and Foreign Affairs has also increased,” noted the Seimas Ombudsman.
With the emphasis on a greater awareness of human rights and the enhanced visibility of the institution, the Seimas Ombudsman's Office is pursuing its goal of becoming a national human rights institution. The Seimas Ombudsman's Office is an active member of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) and the International Ombudsmen Institute (IOI).
Mr. Normantas noted that the Seimas Ombudsman's Office seeks to achieve that the authority would serve the people, by properly performing the functions assigned to it. Focusing on the negligence of officials at work and their noncompliance with laws or other legal acts, the Seimas Ombudsmen submit proposals and recommendations to the authorities.
“I believe that the efficiency of the implementation of such proposals is determined by the Seimas Ombudsmen's authority, knowledge, and competence, as well as thorough and reasoned arguments for the conclusions. Therefore, I am pleased with Seimas’ decision regarding the mandate to continue the work,” noted Mr. Normantas, after being appointed for the third term.
The Seimas designates the Seimas Ombudsmen, of which there are two, for a term of five years upon the nomination of the Speaker of the Seimas. Mr Normantas has served as a Seimas Ombudsman since 2005, while in 2013, he was appointed as the head of the Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office.
Source: Seimas Ombudsmen’s Office - Republic of Lithuania
