86th E-News Letter of Asian Ombudsman Association October 2024
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PAKISTAN FEDERAL OMBUDSMAN ADDRESSES AOA WEBINAR TITLED, “ADDRESSING MALADMINISTRATION IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY – AN OMBUDSMAN’S PERSPECTIVE”.Islamabad, 29 October, 2024: Federal Ombudsman Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi said that Pakistan was among the few countries in the world which has a unique distinction of establishing a dedicated insurance ombudsman institution which offers a sound oversight mechanism for judicious protection of the interests of various stakeholders. |
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HONG KONG OMBUDSMAN ANNOUNCES INVESTIGATION RESULTS ON ENFORCEMENT AGAINST UNAUTHORISED LAND DEVELOPMENTS AND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS OF STRATEGIC FOCUS ON INTERDEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION.The Ombudsman, Mr. Jack Chan, announced the completion of a direct investigation operation regarding the enforcement by the Planning Department (“PlanD”) and the Lands Department (“LandsD”) against unauthorised land developments, and made 16 major recommendations for improvement to the two departments.For the live broadcast of the press conference, please watch the replay on the Office’s YouTube channel. |
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MACAU CCAC’S DELEGATION ATTENDED MEETINGS OF THE GLOBE NETWORK OF THE UNITED NATIONS.The Commissioner Against Corruption Chan Tsz King led a delegation of the CCAC to Beijing to attend the 5th Plenary meeting and the 8th Steering Committee meeting of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) of the United Nations late last month. |
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REPUBLIC OF KOREA “K-INTEGRITY, NOW EXPANDING TO LATIN AMERICA!.”Korea’s advanced anti-corruption policies and systems, such as the Comprehensive Integrity Assessment for public institutions and the Clean Portal, are being shared with public officials from Latin American countries including Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, and Paraguay. |
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HONG KONG OMBUDSMAN COMMENDS PUBLIC ORGANISATIONS AND PUBLIC OFFICERS FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE AND PUTS FORWARD THREE STRATEGIC FOCUSES TO ENHANCE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION.At the 27th Presentation Ceremony of The Ombudsman’s Awards today (31 October), The Ombudsman, Mr Jack Chan, presented the Grand Award to the Hong Kong Fire Services Department (“FSD”), an Award for Public Organisation to both the Social Welfare Department (“SWD”) and the Water Supplies Department (“WSD”), the Award on Mediation to the Housing Department (“HD”), the Customer Services Award to the Immigration Department (“ImmD”), and the Information Technology Application and Creativity Award to the Hospital Authority (“HA”).Individual Awards were also given to 79 public officers. For the live broadcast of the Awards Ceremony, please click here for the replay. |
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PROVINCIAL OMBUDSMAN SINDH CERTIFICATE DISTRIBUTION CEREMONY TO BRAND AMBASSADORS.The Certificate distribution ceremony among the Brand Ambassadors for Provincial Ombudsman Sindh selected from Hamdard University and Sindh Madressatul Islam University, held on 30th September, 2024. The Honourable Provincial Ombudsman Sindh welcomed the Brand Ambassadors and faculty members from both the Universities. Feedback forms received from Ambassadors were discussed in detail and analysis was presented by Ms. Rehana G. Ali Memon, Advisor. |
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REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN A HIGH LEVEL MEETING HELD TO PROMOTE MULTILATERAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN TATARSTAN AND UZBEKISTAN.In the Republican Parliament, a meeting was held with the deputy speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, director of the National Center for Human Rights of the Republic of Uzbekistan Akmal Sayyov. At the meeting of the State Council, they discussed the expansion of multilateral dialogue between Tatarstan and Uzbekistan within the framework of Russian-Uzbek cooperation, including inter-parliamentary relations. |
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AZERBAIJAN OMBUDSMAN SABINA ALIYEVA PARTICIPATED IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TITLED “LAW AND CLIMATE”.The Human Rights Commissioner, Sabina Aliyeva, participated in the international conference “Law and Climate” in Baku, organized jointly by the Azerbaijan Judges Union and Supreme Court. While making a speech in the opening ceremony, the Ombudsman noted the importance of investigation into the causes of ecological problems to find solutions, adding that both international organizations and states take serious actions in this field. The Ombudsman said that her Office takes initiatives, including public awareness activities in this field, to implement the Sustainable Development Goals addressing ecological sustainability and other targets of global importance, preserve the environment and ensure the right to live in a healthy environment, advance the legislation, and implement international norms into the national practice. |
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REPUBLIC OF KOREA “TENANT UNKNOWINGLY SCAMMED INTO HOMEOWNERSHIP: PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING ELIGIBILITY SHOULD BE PRESERVED”.A decision has been made to provide tenants who lose their non-homeowner eligibility due to unavoidable reasons, such as fraud, with more opportunities to continue residing in public rental housing. The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC, Chairperson Ryu Chul Whan) expressed that if a North Korean defector referred to as “Mr. B,” lost his eligibility for public rental housing after becoming a homeowner through fraud or other unavoidable circumstances, it would be reasonable to cancel the eviction order and allow him to continue residing in public rental housing. |
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TIMOR-LESTE TOWARDS INTEGRITY: REGIONAL DIALOGUE IN KUALA LUMPUR TACKLES CORRUPTION AND HUMAN RIGHTS CHALLENGES.Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – October 1-2, 2024 – In a significant gathering, representatives from nine countries, including Timor-Leste, convened in Kuala Lumpur for the “Regional Dialogue on Corruption and Human Rights.” The event featured notable participants, including Rigoberto Monteiro, Deputy Ombudsman for Good Governance; José Luis Oliveira, Director of AJAR; Lizia de Carvalho Soares, representative of CAC; and Eurosia Maria Marques Doutel Sarmento, representative of the Secretary of State for Equality. This dialogue aimed to reinforce the interconnections between anti-corruption initiatives and the promotion of human rights, emphasizing the urgent need for collaborative efforts to combat corruption while ensuring the protection of human rights across the region. |
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AZERBAIJAN SABINA ALIYEVA PARTICIPATED IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF OMBUDSMEN.Sabina Aliyeva, the Human Rights Commissioner of Azerbaijan, participated in the International Conference of Ombudsmen on the theme “The Role of the Ombudsman as a Guarantor of Rights,” held in the Lazio region of Italy.The event, aimed at promoting respect for human rights without discrimination in countries around the world, was attended by the heads and representatives of ombuds institutions and NHRIs from more than 50 countries. |
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UZBEKISTAN OFFICIAL VISIT OF THE OMBUDSMAN OF UZBEKISTAN TO POLAND: MEETING WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE OF OSCE/ODIHR.As it is known, Feruza Eshmatova, the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman), is participating in the Human Dimension Conference held in Warsaw, Poland. The prestigious event, organized in cooperation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), facilitates dialogue on the implementation of all commitments under the OSCE human security measures. As part of her visit to Poland, on October 9, 2024, the Ombudsman met with the Acting Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Tea Jaliashvili. |
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REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN JOINT RECEPTION ON THE PROTECTION OF LAW AND CITIZENS’ RIGHTS HELD.Today in Nizhnykamsk held a joint reception of citizens with the prosecutor of the Republic of Tatarstan Albert Suyargulov, within which 40 residents of the republic have asked for help. The issues of initiation and refusal to initiate criminal proceedings, resolution of interpersonal disputes, housing problems and many other topics were raised during the reception. |
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TIMOR-LESTE A SUCCESS STORY OF ADVOCACY: THE PDHJ’S ROLE IN SUPPORTING ELISABETH’S RIGHT TO DISABILITY ASSISTANCE.Ataúro, 22 October 2024 – Elisabeth Soares Oliveira, a 31-year-old from Usubemasu, Beloi, Ataúro faced tremendous challenges due to her physical disability. From 2019 to 2022, she endured significant hardship when she lost her disability support allowance because of issues within the banking system. This situation left her and her widowed mother, Amelia, struggling to meet their basic needs. |
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UZBEKISTAN FAILURE TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT MAY LEAD TO CRIMINAL LIABILITY – OMBUDSMAN.For reference, according to Article 77 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, parents and their substitutes are required to care for their children until they reach adulthood, ensuring their upbringing, education, healthy, complete, and comprehensive development. Under Article 474 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, individuals who fail to pay child support for a minor child in a timely manner may face penalties, including up to 15 days of imprisonment, a fine equivalent to 20 times the minimum wage, or mandatory community service for up to 120 hours. |