The term “Ombudsman“is on the public agenda. For a few weeks now, the question of who would be the next holder of the position remained on the table.
That doubt was cleared up on Wednesday night when 37 deputies of the National Assembly elected Angela Russoformer judge of the Supreme Court of Justice.
However, although much has been said about the topic, the question arises: What is the function of an ombudsman?
The theory indicates that its main function is to ensure that no one violates the human rights of Panamanians. This includes the rights enshrined in the Constitutionin national laws and in international agreements signed by Panama, such as the treaties of human rights.
In essence, it is about ensuring that the rules of the rule of law are followed.
Although he does not have the power to condemn nor act as a judge, he does have the ability to investigate and draw attention to the institutions. It can issue official recommendations—which imply a duty of consideration on the part of the authorities—so that they correct failures, respect citizens, and promote a culture of peace.
However, the role of the Defender should not be limited to paper; It must be translated into concrete actions.
For civil society, this specific role has precise roles and, until now, they have been systematically ignored. Magaly Castillolawyer and human rights defender, remembers that the Ombudsman’s Office stopped being a space for meeting citizens and became a bureaucratic apparatus, since it receives complaints, opens files but does not respond.
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According to his diagnosis, the institution lacks consultation mechanisms with organizations and human rights defenders, which makes it, he said, “an empty entity.”
How much does a public defender earn?
According to the central form of the National GovernmentEduardo Leblanc González, whose term in the entity expired on March 31, earned a base salary of $3,500, plus $3,500 in representation expenses, for a total of $7,000 monthly.
This amount responds to a cut approved by the National Assembly in 2005, which reduced the original salary of $10,000. Although initiatives have recently been proposed to restore that figure, these have not prospered, keeping open the debate on state investment in the defense of human rights.
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And who chooses it?
The choice falls on the National Assembly, through an application process and public interviews.
According to human rights activists, this issue embodies the need for deputies to prioritize a technical, independent and socially sensitive profile over partisan interests.
