Angolan minister of Justice and Human Rights Marcy Lopes Wednesday in Luanda appealed to everyone to come together and cooperate with the Ombudsman's Office.
Speaking on behalf of the President João Lourenço at the opening ceremony of the Ombudsman Week, the minister said that the objective is to work so that this institution becomes increasingly stronger, active and known by citizens.
He also recalled that despite not having decision-making power over the requests and complaints addressed to the institution, it is the duty of the public authorities to cooperate in the pursuit of its purposes.
He added that public authorities should no “ignore the administrative intervention of the Ombudsman to clarify a situation that involves respect for the fundamental rights of people”.
In turn, the MP Raúl Lima, who was speaking in representation of National Assembly Speaker, Carolina Cerqueira, highlighted the reforms underway in the country, in terms of justice, which attach great importance to the Ombudsman, as a State body “that gives voice to voiceless”.
“It is our desire that the Ombudsman be an active body recognised for its usefulness to society”, he stressed.
The UNDP representative in Angola, Edo Stork, reiterated the commitment to continue collaborating and providing technical assistance to the Ombudsman in technically strengthening its team, sharing good practices and expanding its services.
The Ombudsman, Florbela Araújo, highlighted the sector's growth in recent years, which resulted from the recognition of the institution's importance to society.
She said that the Ombudsman is a public entity that was granted to serve the citizen in the defence of their rights and guarantees, as well as the legitimate interests against an incorrect or inadequate performance of the public services.
The week, which runs under the motto “The Ombudsman as a defender of citizens' fundamental rights”, will be marked, among other activities, by a cycle of lectures.
Ombudsman Week was institutionalised in 2018.
Today, 19 April, is also celebrated Ombudsman Day, in reference to the election and investiture of the first Ombudsman of the Republic of Angola.
Source: Angola Press News Agency (APNA)