Cyprus Ombudsman

Full title:

Office of the Commissioner for Administration

Date established:

January 18, 1991

Mode of establishment:

Primary legislation

Status:

Independent Officer of the State under the Commissioner of Administration Laws of 1991 to 2004.

Mandate / objectives:

According to the above-mentioned Laws, the Ombudsman is an Independent Officer of the State who exercises control over decisions and actions taken by public administrative authorities. 

In April 2003, the Cyprus Government decided to designate the Ombudsman as the independent national body to combat discrimination. Furthermore, since May 1^st, 2004 and according to new legislation (Law 42(I)/2004), the Ombudsman’s mandate has been extended to combat the forms of discrimination referred to in European Council Directives 2000/43/EC and 2000/78/EC, as well as other forms of discrimination forbidden by the Constitution or other Cyprus Laws (e.g. Law 205(I) 2002 forbidding discrimination between men and women in employment), and to cover discrimination in the private sector.

Grounds of Discrimination covered:

Racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and gender. These grounds are covered in the field of employment. Racial and ethnic origin is also covered for social welfare, medical treatment, training and access to goods and services.

Competences and responsibilities:

Promotion of equal treatment of all persons in relation to the grounds of discrimination mentioned above.

The Ombudsman also has the power to investigate complaints of violations of human rights against the public service and its public officers. The Ombudsman produces a report in each case, which may conclude that there has been injury or injustice. If so the Report will contain recommendations for reparation to the competent authority involved. If the recommendations are not given effect, the Ombudsman may submit a special report to the Parliament.

Main activities as an Independent Equality Body:

- Investigating complaints about discrimination,

- Conducting independent surveys,

- Providing assistance to victims of discrimination,

- Publishing reports and making recommendations on issues relating to discrimination,

- Ensuring compliance of individuals/organisations in both the private and public sectors with anti-discrimination legislation,

- Imposing monetary fines on individuals/organisations who do not comply with the Ombudsman’s recommendations.

Publications:

Reports issued after investigating complaints about discrimination are available on our website: www.ombudsman.gov.cy 

Management:

Commissioner for Administration (Ombudsman), Head of the Body for Discrimination on the basis of racial or ethnic origin (implementing Directive 2000/43) and Head of the Body for Equality (implementing Directive 2000/78)

Nomination of senior staff and board:

The Commissioner for Administration or Ombudsman is appointed by the President of the Republic on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers and with the prior consent of the majority of Members of Parliament. The Ombudsman serves for a six-year term and may be re-appointed.

Number of Staff:

33 people (20 officers, 13 administrative staff)

Budget:

CY£ 591,749. Approved by Parliament.

Accountability:

Required to issue a comprehensive Annual Report on the activities of the Office. The Report is submitted first to the President of the Republic and then to Parliament.