Organisation

Abstract

As the focus of the present study is on “parliamentary” rather than “executive” ombudsmen, the most basic idea of such organisations is their independence from the executive power. Consequently, none of the examined institutions is bound to orders of administrative bodies or other public agencies. One exception is Liechtenstein, where the Office of Advice and Complaints only forms part of the Chamber of Government, the legal basis of which merely consisted of an administrative regulation by the government itself and has recently been rescinded. Even by its own account the Office of Advice and Complaints cannot substantially “control” the administrative branch. The situation is similar in Kazakhstan, where organisation and function of the institution are regulated in detail by a presidential decree.

Cf supra p. 4 f.

Cf also the Recommendation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe 1615 (2003) 1, No 7.ii.