Report
on the right of access to public information |
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The
Catalan Ombudsman, who recently presented in Parliament a
monographic report on the right of access to public information,
claims the need of a specific law governing the right of access to
information in a comprehensive and unified way, consistent with the
European standards. This regulation should take into account that
access to public information is a requirement for democratic control
of public authority and to ensure quality participation of the
citizenry in public life.
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Catalan
Ombudsman presents Annual Report to the President of the Catalan
Government |
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The
Catalan Ombudsman, Rafael Ribó, presented to the President of the
Generalitat (Catalan Government), Artur Mas, the Annual Report of
the Ombudsman Office for activities carried out in 2011. Ribó, who
had already submitted the report to the President of Parliament,
Núria de Gispert, last February, explained the President the most
important issues included in the report and highlighted some
important figures, such as the increase in complaints.
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Agreements
with the City of Barcelona to improve administration and citizens'
rights |
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The mayor
of Barcelona, Xavier Trias and the Catalan Ombudsman, Rafael Ribó,
agreed last March 26 to increase collaboration so that to help the
local administration be more effective. Both parties pledged to
speed up communication between the two institutions, the City
Council will consider studying how to ensure that officers of the
'Guardia Urbana' of Barcelona are appropriately identified and they
also are going to work together on the problem of prostitution.
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Agreement
with Vodafone to promote improvements in claims
management |
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The
Catalan Ombudsman and Vodafone signed last March 15 a collaboration
agreement to ensure citizens' rights and good corporate practices,
and promote improvements in the handling of complaints on the
provision of services by the telecommunications company. The
agreement provides that the Catalan Ombudsman should send the
complaints about Vodafone to the company, who is committed to reply
the Ombudsman within fifteen days.
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Agreement
with 'Aigües de Sabadell' to expedite the handling of
complaints |
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Under the
agreement, signed on March 26, the Catalan Ombudsman will oversee
the provision of public services that the water service provider
company 'Aigües de Sabadell' has established with the Catalan
Administration in more than 60 municipalities, such as collecting,
treatment, transport and water distribution up to the final user.
Thus, the Catalan Ombudsman will send the company complaints
relevant to its service and the water company will answer the
Ombudsman within ten days, except claims related to damage, which
must be replied within a maximum of forty-eight hours.
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