Africa-Press – Angola. The Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Marcy Lopes, defended, this Wednesday, in Luanda, a greater approximation and collaboration of all towards the Ombudsman’s Office.
According to the minister, who was speaking on behalf of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço, during the opening ceremony of the week of the Ombudsman, it is intended to work so that this institution becomes increasingly stronger, authoritative and known by citizens.
He also recalled that despite not having decision-making power over the requests and complaints addressed to him, the action of the Ombudsman is not a “dry gunpowder shot”, since it is the duty of the public authorities to cooperate in the pursuit of of its purposes.
Still in this area, he added that public authorities are not allowed to “ignore the administrative intervention of the Ombudsman to clarify a situation that involves respect for the fundamental rights of people”.
On the occasion, Deputy Raúl Lima, representing the President of the National Assembly, Carolina Cerqueira, highlighted the reforms underway in the country, in terms of justice, which attach great importance to the Ombudsman, as a State body “that gives voice to voiceless”, defending people who have their fundamental rights violated, as well as ensuring justice and the legality of public administration activity.
“It is our desire that the Ombudsman be an active body recognized for its usefulness to society”, he emphasized.
In turn, the UNDP representative in Angola, Edo Stork, reiterated the commitment to continue collaborating and providing technical assistance to the Ombudsman in technically strengthening its team, sharing good practices and expanding its services.
The Ombudsman, Florbela Araújo, highlighted the sector’s growth in recent years, which resulted from the recognition of the institution’s importance to society.
He referred that the Ombudsman is a public entity that was granted to serve the citizen in the defense of his rights and guarantees, as well as the legitimate interests against an incorrect or inadequate performance of the public services.
The week, which runs under the motto “The Ombudsman as a defender of citizens’ fundamental rights”, will be marked, among other activities, by a cycle of lectures.
The event was attended by representatives of the auxiliary bodies of the Executive Power, deputies to the National Assembly, Judicial Magistrates and Public Prosecutors, professors, students, lawyers and human rights defenders, representatives of the diplomatic corps and international organizations.
Ombudsman Week was institutionalized in 2018, following the favorable pronouncement of the Ombudsman Council.
19 April, is also celebrated Ombudsman Day, in reference to the election and investiture of the first Ombudsman of the Republic of Angola.
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