Mandate and powers of the ombudsperson

The ombudsperson mandate covers all general interest and public services provided to the public, whether delivered by the state, municipalities, state bodies or private entities

Review of legislation.

The ombudsperson mandate covers prevention and correction of maladministration, and the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms

Review of legislation.

The ombudsperson institution may initiate investigation both ex officio and from a complaint.

Review of legislation. The complaint can be filed by an individual or legal person, including non-governmental organisations.

The ombudsperson institution enjoys effective investigative powers

Review of legislation. Effective investigative powers include a legally enforceable right to unrestricted access to all relevant documents, databases and materials, including those which might otherwise be legally privileged or confidential. This includes the right to unhindered access to buildings, institutions and persons, including those deprived of their liberty.

The ombudsperson has the power to challenge the constitutionality of laws and regulations or general administrative acts

Review of legislation.

There were no problems (obstacles) with the implementation of the ombudsperson's comprehensive mandate publicly reported or discussed in the parliament

Interview with the ombudsperson and, if needed, representatives of the parliamentary committee as well as review of administrative data to confirm the existence of cases were obstacles to implement the mandate of the ombudsperson were discussed in public or in the parliament in the period covered by the assessment. If there are several ombudsperson institutions, all public bodies should be covered by the combined scope of the ombudsperson institutions; however detailed analysis is conducted only for the national ombudsperson set by the constitution as responsible for issues related to central national administration.