Ombudsman Library

Government ombudsman structures vary greatly from one country to another, and within a particular country as well. There are few places that one will find a greater number of ombudsman adaptations than in the United States of America.

An Act to Establish an Ombudsman Privilege ... a person appointed under a federal or state statute or local ordinance creating an ombudsman's office to investigate complaints regarding governmental agencies, officials, or employees, and who practices according to the law establishing the office

For as long as government has existed, guaranteeing citizens fair and equitable treatment under the law has been an issue and various protections have been utilized over the years. In modern times the public sector Ombudsman, where instituted, has been a successful and valuable guarantor of citizens' rights. By impartial and independent investigation of citizens' complaints, it have provided an informal and accessible avenue of redress.

This article was excerpted from the Journalism of the International Ombudsman Association, Spring 2011 edition.