Ombudsman's office plans 440 controls: focus on human rights!

Ombudsman's office plans 440 controls: focus on human rights!

As part of the budget discussions for 2025 and 2026, the National Council is focusing on the Ombudsman. Today, June 4, 2025, the use of funds for the coming years will be debated. Disbursements of 15.74 million euros are planned for 2025, which represents an increase of 0.1 million euros compared to 2024, and 15.71 million euros are also budgeted for 2026, which almost corresponds to a status quo OTS reported.

The Ombudsman also plans to maintain the quality of its controls in the future, despite the upcoming austerity measures. Additional personnel costs are budgeted for, while operational material costs are reduced because federal rents are eliminated. In addition, the largest part of the payments, around 63 percent, relate to personnel costs, which increase by 0.3 million euros compared to the previous year.

Review and control of human rights

A central element of the Ombudsman's work is carrying out inspections in various institutions such as prisons and retirement homes in order to protect human rights and prevent torture. As part of the national prevention mechanism (NPM) under the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT), a total of 458 checks were carried out in 2024 and 440 are planned for next year. This is being realized despite planned savings in other areas. The Ombudsman's Office and the Human Rights Advisory Board are responsible for these controls in Austria in order to ensure that human rights are safeguarded in institutions where freedom can be deprived, according to statements from BMI.

The Ombudsman's Office relies on interdisciplinary teams of experts who carry out unannounced visits and monitor the activities of the executive branch - including the review of deportations - through self-imposed inspection priorities. These checks are crucial to ensure respect for human rights and address suspected abuses.

Demands for equality and citizen participation

The Ombudsman also pursues the goal of a balanced gender distribution when complaints are received. This should be done in particular through targeted educational work in order to increase the proportion of women in inquiries. In 2024, nearly 24,000 people contacted the Ombudsman, demonstrating the high demand for assistance on various issues, including internal security and citizenship.

In addition to monitoring compliance with human rights, the Ombudsman could introduce an annual discussion of a socio-politically relevant issue with civil society to promote engagement and sensitivity to human rights issues. The answers to the complex challenges of protecting human rights are important not only at the national level, but also at the European level, as the EU is firmly committed to promoting and protecting human rights. The EU has clear objectives, including respect for fundamental rights, and is actively committed to equal treatment of all citizens. This also has a direct impact on the work of institutions such as the Ombudsman, as shown on the website EU can be read.