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'''Ombudsman'''
{{Short description|An official appointed to investigate individuals' complaints against maladministration, especially that of public authorities.}}


An '''Ombudsman''' is an official, usually appointed by the government, who investigates complaints (usually lodged by private citizens) against businesses, financial institutions, universities, government departments, or other public entities, and attempts to resolve the conflicts or concerns raised, either through mediation, recommendation, or formal ruling. Ombudsmen are often appointed to promote and protect the rights of the public by investigating and addressing complaints of maladministration or violation of rights.
== Ombudsman ==
An '''ombudsman''' is an official, usually appointed by the government or by parliament, who is charged with representing the interests of the public by investigating and addressing complaints of maladministration or a violation of rights. The term is of Swedish origin and is often used in the context of public administration.
 
[[File:Ombudsman_sign.jpg|thumb|right|Sign indicating the office of an ombudsman]]


== History ==
== History ==
The concept of the ombudsman originated in [[Sweden]] with the establishment of the office of the Justitieombudsman in 1809. The role was created to ensure that public officials acted in accordance with the law and to protect citizens from abuse of power. Since then, the concept has spread worldwide, with many countries adopting similar institutions.


The term "ombudsman" originated in Sweden, with the Swedish Parliamentary Ombudsman instituted by the Instrument of Government of 1809, to safeguard the rights of citizens by establishing a supervisory agency independent of the executive branch. The word ombudsman is Swedish and loosely translates as "representative".
== Functions ==
 
The primary function of an ombudsman is to investigate complaints from individuals against public authorities. This includes:
== Role and Function ==
 
The typical duties of an ombudsman are to investigate complaints and attempt to resolve them, usually through recommendations (binding or not) or mediation. Ombudsmen sometimes also aim to identify systemic issues leading to poor service or breaches of people's rights. At the national level, an ombudsman's duties may include responding to the general public's complaints about government officials and agencies.
 
== Types of Ombudsman ==
 
There are several types of ombudsmen, including [[Citizen's Advocate]], [[Parliamentary Commissioner]], [[Children's Ombudsman]], [[Healthcare Ombudsman]], [[Financial Services Ombudsman]], and [[Information Commissioner]].
 
== Ombudsman Around the World ==
 
Many countries have ombudsmen, though the form, function, and terminology can vary. For example, in the [[United Kingdom]], the term "ombudsman" is used by many public bodies to refer to the person who handles complaints. In the [[United States]], the term "ombudsman" is often used to refer to a public advocate appointed by a governmental body.


== See Also ==
* Ensuring that public officials act fairly and in accordance with the law.
* Addressing issues of [[maladministration]] and [[bureaucratic]] inefficiency.
* Protecting [[human rights]] and ensuring that citizens' rights are upheld.


* [[Public Advocate]]
== Types of Ombudsmen ==
* [[Human Rights]]
There are several types of ombudsmen, each serving different sectors:
* [[Mediation]]
* [[Conflict Resolution]]


== References ==
* '''Parliamentary Ombudsman''': Appointed by the parliament to oversee government agencies.
* '''Corporate Ombudsman''': Works within a corporation to address employee and customer complaints.
* '''Media Ombudsman''': Addresses complaints about media content and journalistic practices.


<references />
== Role in Modern Society ==
In modern society, the role of the ombudsman has expanded beyond government oversight. Many private organizations, such as universities and corporations, have established ombudsman offices to handle internal disputes and complaints. This helps to promote transparency and accountability within organizations.


[[Category:Legal Terms]]
== Related pages ==
[[Category:Government]]
* [[Public administration]]
[[Category:Conflict Resolution]]
* [[Human rights]]
[[Category:Mediation]]
* [[Maladministration]]
* [[Accountability]]


{{stub}}
[[Category:Public administration]]
{{dictionary-stub1}}
[[Category:Legal professions]]
[[Category:Human rights]]

Latest revision as of 03:46, 13 February 2025

An official appointed to investigate individuals' complaints against maladministration, especially that of public authorities.


Ombudsman[edit]

An ombudsman is an official, usually appointed by the government or by parliament, who is charged with representing the interests of the public by investigating and addressing complaints of maladministration or a violation of rights. The term is of Swedish origin and is often used in the context of public administration.

Sign indicating the office of an ombudsman

History[edit]

The concept of the ombudsman originated in Sweden with the establishment of the office of the Justitieombudsman in 1809. The role was created to ensure that public officials acted in accordance with the law and to protect citizens from abuse of power. Since then, the concept has spread worldwide, with many countries adopting similar institutions.

Functions[edit]

The primary function of an ombudsman is to investigate complaints from individuals against public authorities. This includes:

  • Ensuring that public officials act fairly and in accordance with the law.
  • Addressing issues of maladministration and bureaucratic inefficiency.
  • Protecting human rights and ensuring that citizens' rights are upheld.

Types of Ombudsmen[edit]

There are several types of ombudsmen, each serving different sectors:

  • Parliamentary Ombudsman: Appointed by the parliament to oversee government agencies.
  • Corporate Ombudsman: Works within a corporation to address employee and customer complaints.
  • Media Ombudsman: Addresses complaints about media content and journalistic practices.

Role in Modern Society[edit]

In modern society, the role of the ombudsman has expanded beyond government oversight. Many private organizations, such as universities and corporations, have established ombudsman offices to handle internal disputes and complaints. This helps to promote transparency and accountability within organizations.

Related pages[edit]