Ombudswoman reports high implementation of recommendations

Recommendations from the ombudswoman’s office are implemented to a large degree, Ombudswoman Maria Stylianou-Lottides said on Friday following a house finance committee session, where she presented her office’s budget.

Specifically, she said that her office’s response to individual claims related to complaints, which reached 87 per cent for 2021 and 86 per cent for 2022. Regarding reports, her office issued 51 per cent and 53 per cent for 2021 and 2022 respectively, she added.

Speaking after the session, Lottides indicated that the response of her office to individual interventions concerning specific citizen complaints reached 87 per cent for 2021 and 86 per cent for 2022.

She said: “Taking into account that 25 per cent of our reports’ recommendations are being implemented, while for a percentage of 15 per cent, we know for sure that it will not be implemented, due to difficulties in implementation.”

These cases are more about systemic interventions, he clarified.

Responding to a question about the informative campaigns carried out by her office, the ombudswoman stated that the campaigns that have been carried out in recent years mainly concern people with disabilities, their accessibility, and the exercise of their electoral rights. Last year, as she explained, in the context of the celebration of the 30 years of operation of the ombudswoman’s office an international conference was organised where issues related to the promotion of human rights in Cyprus, including racism, the disabled, and the everyday life of citizens.

“We have seven distinct responsibilities. Every time we choose a topic from our responsibilities and every year there will be enlightenment campaigns regarding them,” she said.

Speaking earlier during the debate on her office’s budget, she said the budget is mostly about payroll, rent, and operating expenses.

She added that there is a small increase due to the appointment of new officials, as well as a menial increase of €110,000 which concerns a funded programme that has not been paid by the Republic of Cyprus.