More powers for the ombudsman

Deputies of the Committee on Legislation Galina Antyufeeva, Stepan Stepanov, Grigory Dyachenko and Valery Babchinetsky proposed to expand the rights of the Ombudsman. The relevant amendments to 8 laws were considered in the course of the meeting of the relevant committee today. The legal status of the Commissioner for Human Rights is specified. The term of activity is proposed to be increased to 7 years, so that there is enough time to complete all areas of work. According to the current legislation, the Ombudsman is appointed for 5 years. The procedure for his election is also being improved.

It will be possible among the new powers to apply to the court not only personally, but also through a representative. This right is applied in Russia. As noted by the Head of the Legislation Committee Galina Antyufeeva, the Commissioner for Human Rights will be able to more actively exercise his right in court thanks to the changes.

In addition, the Ombudsman will have the right to send his comments and suggestions to state authorities and administration, local self-government and civil servants after considering complaints about violations of the rights and freedoms of citizens.

According to the amendments, the Ombudsman will also have the opportunity to go to court if a non-normative legal act (for example, an order or instruction) contradicts, in his opinion, the current legislation and violates the rights and freedoms of citizens.

The authors of the amendments consider that the need to expand the powers of the Ombudsman is long overdue. This topic was raised by deputies of the Consultative Assembly under the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.

The package of initiatives was supported for adoption in the first reading at the meeting of the Committee on Legislation. The deputies will consider the amendments at one of the plenary sessions. The profile committee intends to continue working on the legislations, taking into account the comments.