What can the Ombudsman do for you?
The ombudsman can warn a body that has violated your right(s) to rectify the violation or the irregularity committed, or even propose that it compensate you for the damage caused.
The ombudsman can request the Constitutional Court to review the constitutionality and legality of specific regulations or acts in your name and with your authorisation, or file a constitutional complaint about a rights violation.
He can submit suggestions for changes to statutes and other regulations to Parliament or the Government.
He may also propose to all bodies that fall within his competence that they improve their dealings with clients.
The Ombudsman may communicate to each body his opinion, from the aspect of protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, about the case he is investigating, irrespective of the type or stage of proceedings which are being conducted by the respective body.
The ombudsman cannot rectify a violation or irregularity on behalf of the state body, local government body or holder of public authority concerned.
It is the obligation of the body that has committed the violation or irregularity to rectify it. Similarly, the ombudsman cannot deal with cases that are already before the courts, except in exceptional circumstances.
The ombudsman has no statutory powers in relation to the private sector and cannot intervene in cases where rights are violated by, for example, a private company. In such cases he can put pressure on the state bodies, local government bodies and holders of public authority responsible for supervising the work of the private company or individual.
