85th E-News Letter of Asian Ombudsman Association September 2024
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PAKISTAN NEW REGIONAL OFFICE AT MUZAFFARABAD (AZAD JAMMU & KASHMIR) STARTS FUNCTIONING.On the directions of the Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman), Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, the Regional Office Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir has started functioning. Now the people of AJ&K can lodge complaints against mal-administration of about 180 Federal Government agencies including WAPDA, NADRA, BISP, Pakistan Baitul Mall, Pakistan Post Office, FIA, Passport Office, EOBI etc. |
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HONG KONG OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF DIRECT INVESTIGATION OPERATION INTO TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S ARRANGEMENTS FOR DRIVING TESTS AND THE OMBUDSMAN’S STRATEGIC FOCUSES.The Ombudsman, Mr. Jack Chan, announced the completion of a direct investigation operation into the arrangements for driving tests by the Transport Department (TD), and made 12 major recommendations to the Department. |
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REPUBLIC OF KOREA “PROHIBITION OF SPECIAL EMPLOYMENT AND ADDITIONAL SCORES FOR VETERANS SHOULD BE CAREFULLY EXAMINED.”From now on, public institutions employment regulations stipulating procedures and ways of hiring employees are projected to be modified to be fairer and more transparent. The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC, Chairperson Ryu Chul Whan) provides ‘consulting on internal employment regulations of public institutions for fair employment’ (the “consulting”) to improve or supplement public institutions’ hiring regulations if inadequate. |
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REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN TRAINING SEMINAR FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANTS OF THE OMBUDSMAN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN.A training seminar for public assistants of the Ombudsman for Human Rights in the Republic of Tatarstan was held today at the Regional Management Centre of the Republic of Tatarstan. |
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HONG KONG OMBUDSMAN PROBES ARRANGEMENTS FOR RECOVERING PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING FLATS BY AUTHORITIES.The Ombudsman, Mr. Jack Chan,(19 September) announced the launch of a direct investigation operation to examine in detail the workflow of and arrangements for recovering public rental housing (“PRH”) flats for reallocation by the authorities. Every year, the Hong Kong Housing Authority (“HKHA”) and the Hong Kong Housing Society (“HKHS”) recover PRH flats due to various reasons for reallocation, such as tenants passing away, moving into residential care homes, purchasing subsidised sale flats, or breaching the terms of tenancy agreement. |
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PROVINCIAL OMBUDSMAN SINDH DR. MUHAMMAD SOHAIL RAJPUT, PROVINCIAL OMBUDSMAN SINDH ATTENDED INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF OMBUDSMAN, CASSINO, ITALY.Provincial Ombudsman Sindh, Dr. Muhammad Sohail Rajput, participated in the International Conference of Ombudsman held on 12-13, September, 2024 in Monte Cassino, Italy. The event was hosted by the Ombudsman of the Lazio Region, Dott. Marino Fardeli. On the occasion Ombudsman Sindh delivered a presentation on ‘The Impact of Climate Change’ and highlighted the challenges faced by the Pakistan especially with regard to Sindh Province during the 2022 floods. The Conference emphasized the critical role played by Ombudsman in protecting public rights and promoting accountability within government institutions. |
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SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT CITIZENS’ OMBUDSMAN COMMISSION, KOREA “SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT CITIZENS’ OMBUDSMAN COMMISSION LEGAL ADVISORY GROUP APPOINTMENT CEREMONY AND ADVISORY MEETING HELD… DISCUSSING MEASURES TO ENSURE AUDIT EFFECTIVENESS.The Seoul Metropolitan Government Citizens’ Ombudsman Commission (hereinafter referred to as the “Commission,” chaired by Joo Yong-hak), the nation’s first collegiate administrative agencies and a dedicated organization for handling citizen grievances, held the 2024 Second Half Legal Advisory Group Appointment Ceremony and Advisory Meeting on Thursday, September 12, at 4 p.m. in the conference room on the 8th floor of Seoul City Hall. |
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BANKING MOHTASIB PAKISTAN “WAFAQI MOHTASIB (OMBUDSMAN) PAKISTAN INAUGURATES ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF BANKING MOHTASIB.The Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman) Pakistan, Mr. Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi, has said that all the Ombudsmen are working in their respective jurisdictions with a commitment to resolve the grievances of the general public speedily. On 31 August 2024, these remarks were made by Mr. Qureshi while inaugurating the Annual Conference of Banking Mohtasib Pakistan with the “Focus on Values in Public Sector Services” at a local hotel in Karachi. |
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PHILIPPINES OMBUDSMAN FETES STUDENT LEADERS AS INTEGRITY CHAMPIONS.The Office of the Ombudsman recognized integrity champions of the youth during its Campus Integrity Crusaders (CIC) Awards Ceremony on 30 August 2024. Spearheaded by Deputy Ombudsman Jose Balmeo, Jr., Assistant Ombudsman Janina Hidalgo and Director Rhodora Fenix-Galicia, the Office awarded seven outstanding school organizations for the successful implementation of its enrolled activities promoting integrity, social responsibility and gender and development. |
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REPUBLIC OF KOREA “IMPROVEMENT NEEDED IN DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT LEVY TO ENSURE STRESS-FREE PARENTAL LEAVE.”To ensure disabled workers can take parental leave without undue stress, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC, Chairperson Ryu Chul Whan) has recommended that the employer’s obligation to pay employment levies during such leave be relaxed.The disability employment levy is imposed on companies with over 100 employees if they fail to meet the requirement of employing at least 3.1% of their workforce as disabled individuals. |
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REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN IT’S TIME TO SUMMARISE THE RESULTS OF THE TELEPHONE HOTLINE.During the day (from 07.00 to 20.00) the telephone “hot line” of the Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights worked. In total, about 60 calls were received. No violations of citizens’ electoral rights were detected. |
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AZERBAIJAN THE OMBUDSMAN RECEIVED THE UNICEF REPRESENTATIVE IN AZERBAIJAN.The Ombudsman of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, received Saja Farooq Abdullah, the newly appointed UNICEF Representative in Azerbaijan. During the meeting, the Ombudsman provided detailed information to the guest about the activities carried out in the field of the protection of child rights. Speaking about international cooperation, the Ombudsman noted the existence of close collaborations with international organizations, including the UN and its specialized agencies, highlighting the several important joint projects. |
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UZBEKISTAN COMBATING DRUG ABUSE IN SECURING HUMAN RIGHTS: INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION AND A HOLISTIC APPROACH.On 4 September this year, a special event was organised at the UN headquarters together with the Permanent Missions of Russia, China, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Pakistan, Singapore and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime on a unified and holistic approach to combating drug addiction, addressing drug trafficking and combating it in ensuring human rights. |
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TIMOR-LESTE PDHJ ADDRESSES GENDER EQUALITY AT 29TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ASIA PACIFIC FORUM.The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ), represented by Deputy Ombudsman Rigoberto Monteiro, recently highlighted crucial gender equality issues at the 29th Annual General Meeting of the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) of National Human Rights Institutions in Bangkok, Thailand, emphasizing their significance within the broader context of human rights in Timor-Leste. |
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GEORGIA PUBLIC DEFENDER MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF CIVIL SOCIETY AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS DEFENDERS WORKING IN IMERETI.On September 27, 2024, Public Defender Levan Ioseliani met with representatives of Imereti civil society and women’s rights defenders at the Public Defender’s Kutaisi office. The current situation of gender equality, protection of civil sector rights, awareness-raising and other needs and challenges were discussed at the meeting. |