BackDuring its mid-term meeting that took place from 15 to 16 April 2013 in Vienna, the IOI Board of Directors decided on the membership application of the Office of the Ombudsman of Curaçao.
The Office of the Ombudsman of Curaçao was enacted by the Ombudsman Act. The institution became operational in 2004. The Ombudsman is appointed by Parliament upon a recommendation filed by the Vice-President of the Advisory Council together with the President of the Common Court of Justice of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba and the President of the Government Audit Office. The Parliament is also in charge of appointing the deputy Ombudsman. The Ombudsman’s term of office ends after six years but he/she may be reappointed once for a second term. Alba Maria-Teresa Martijn is the current officeholder.
The Ombudsman of Curaçao has the duty to investigate the conduct of administrative bodies, i.e. ministers, their staff, civil servants, permanent secretaries, directors, committees, contractors and persons or organizations working for the Government. The Ombudsman disposes independently of his office and determines the working methods and the organization of the office.
The Ombudsman annually submits a report of its activities to the Parliament. Upon request by the Parliament, the Ombudsman has to appear in parliamentary sessions in order to provide information. The Ombudsman is furthermore authorized to inform the Parliament about a concluded investigation.
Following recommendations by the Secretary General and the competent Regional President the IOI Board acknowledged that the Office of the Ombudsman of Curaçao fulfilled the IOI criteria for membership set out in Article 6 of the IOI By-Laws and decided to accept the Office of the Ombudsman of Curaçao as Voting member of the IOI.
