Complaints
to the Catalan Ombudsman increased 31.6% over 2010 |
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The
Catalan Ombudsman, Rafael Ribó, who delivered on 13 February to the
President of the Catalan Parliament, Núria de Gispert, the
institution's Annual Report 2011, notes that the increased cuts on
social services and benefits, and certain administrative
malpractices are affecting rights, leaving thousands of people
defenceless. In 2011 the Ombudsman received 8,065 complaints and
initiated 115 ex officio actions. Administration has agreed in 92%
of cases to the suggestion of the Catalan Ombudsman, 5% more than in
the previous year.
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Rafael
Ribó presented to Parliament the ACPT Report |
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On 27
February the Catalan Ombudsman stated to the Ombudsman Parliamentary
Commission the 2011 Annual Report of the Catalan Authority for the
Prevention of Torture (ACPT).
The document, delivered to the
Parliament's President last December, includes 22 recommendations
and a summary of ACPT visits, made according to the methodology
established by the United Nations to diversify the centers visited,
stressing the visits to police stations and prisons. The document
also explains the advisory board meetings and studies made.
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Maladministration
of Barcelona City Council in the allocation of places in day-care
centres |
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The
Catalan Ombudsman, who has received several complaints about the
startup delays, this academic year 2011-2012, of three municipal
kindergartens in Barcelona, believes that the City Council did not
adjust its actions to the principles of effectiveness and legitimate
trust. The families involved pre-registered according to the
information provided by the Consortium for Education and were
allocated place in these centers (where the course was scheduled to
begin in February 2012). However, the registration was not
finalised. The Catalan Ombudsman suggested that measures be taken to
find alternative solutions and provide the affected families with
information.
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Investigation
of gas breakdown in the Poblenou district of
Barcelona |
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Given the
complaints received, the Catalan Ombudsman has opened an ex offitio
action to elucidate the causes and responsibilities and to verify
the mid-February incident in the neighborhood of Poblenou in
Barcelona, caused by a water leak in the gas mains which left more
than 4,000 families without gas supply. Some homes also experienced
cuts in water supply and electricity. The companies involved,
providing services of general interest, are Gas Natural, Endesa and
Aguas de Barcelona.
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Agreement
with Orange to promote improvements in claims
management |
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The
Catalan Ombudsman and the telecommunication company Orange signed on
16 February a collaboration agreement to guarantee the citizens'
rights and good corporate practices, and promote improvements in the
management of claims. The agreement, which explicitly includes the
authorities given to the Catalan Ombudsman by the Statute of
Autonomy in the supervision of private companies delivering public
services, states that the Ombudsman will handle the complaints about
Orange, which will have to answer its requests within fifteen
days.
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Reception
of complaints in different Catalan towns such as Sallent, Canet de
Mar and Matadepera |
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The
Ombudsman Office will visit on March 1, Sallent; on the 6th, Canet
de Mar; on the 8th, Matadepera; on the 13rd, Guissona and on the
15th, Canovelles. The aim of the visits is to make the Ombudsman
more accessible to citizens to file complaints and make queries
regarding public administrations and private firms delivering public
services (water, electricity, telephone, etc).
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