The Ombudsman: Different Terminologies Same Missions

Authors: Khodr Fakih

Abstract:

The Ombudsman is a procedural mechanism that provides a different approach of dispute resolution. The ombudsman primarily deals with specific grievances from the public against governmental injustice and misconduct. The ombudsman theory is considered an important instrument to any democratic government. This is true since it improves the transparency of the governmental activities in a world in which executive power are rising. Many countries have adopted the concept of Ombudsman but under different terminologies. This paper will provide the different types of Ombudsman and the common activities/processes of fulfilling their mandates.

Keywords: Administration, Citizens, Government, Mediator, Ombudsman, Presidential Mediator.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1099800

References:

[1] J-M. Frahm, “Australasia and Pacific Ombudsman Institutions: Mandates, Competences and Good Practice”, Springer, 2013, p.4.
[2] E. Rodgers, “Encyclopedia of Contemporary Spanish Culture”, first published by Routledge 1999, re-published by Taylor and Francis elibrary 2002, p. 138.
[3] A. Z. IbnKhuldun, “Al-Muqadimah (the ancient book style—Republished)”, Dar al-Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon, 1979, P. 185.
[4] Paris Principles, “Competences and Responsibilities,” paragraph 2.
[5] Paris Principles, “Competences and Responsibilities,” paragraph 3.
[6] Paris Principles, “Additional principles concerning the status of commissions with quasi-judicial competency,” introductory paragraph and D.
[7] UN General Assembly Resolution 63/169, 2008, on the role of Ombudsman, mediator and other national human rights institutions and protection of human rights, preamble; UN General Assembly resolution 65/207, 2010 on the role of the Ombudsman and other national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights, preamble.
[8] The concept of the Mediator was adopted in Spain in 1976, Jordan in 2001, and Morocco in 2002.However, the concept of the Mediator still under consideration in Lebanon.