| 29.03.2011 | The Parliament drafts and debates a new Constitution – changes in the ombudsman system?

The Parliament drafts and debates a new Constitution – changes in the ombudsman system?

According to the draft text, the future Hungarian constitution will contain new elements for the ombudsman institution which are both symbolic and substantive. As regards the work of the ombudsmen, a new system will be introduced. Currently, as well as the parliamentary commissioner for civil rights, three specialist ombudsmen (responsible for overseeing the specific constitutional rights regarding data protection and freedom of information, national and ethnic minorities, and environmental issues) work independently, on the same level, in a common office, and under common financial arrangements. The new proposal would change the name of the parliamentary commissioner to commissioner for fundamental rights. The Parliament would elect only one ombudsman and he would choose his deputies. The special provisions of this procedure – with consideration for the emphasised protection of fundamental rights and the interests of future generations, as well as the rights of the national minorities – will be formulated in the new ombudsman act.

The final version of the Constitution will be approved by the end of April 2011 and the new ombudsman act will follow its structure.