Speech by the Parliamentary Ombudsman during the Opening Ceremony of the International Ombudsman Conference celebrating 30th Anniversary of the Office of the Ombudsman

Speech by the Parliamentary Ombudsman during the Opening Ceremony of the International Ombudsman Conference celebrating 30th Anniversary of the Office of the Ombudsman

Published October 15, 2025

Hon Mr Speaker

Excellencies

Colleagues

Distinguished Guests

Good Morning

The Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman of Malta is 30 years old.

It is an institution that does not have an expiry date and is here to stay.  

It is an institution with which to reckon, because it stands firmly to protect the rights of all, seeks to ensure fairness, stands for real justice beyond red tape, and fosters good governance in its true sense.

It is an institution that does not have to roll the drums to do its job well and all can comfortably turn to when they feel aggrieved by acts or omissions of Government.  

Over the years the institution has remained fresh and crispy in its actions and has managed to make a positive difference in the lives of people, including the public service and the public administration itself.  

The political class (to its credit) has over the years acknowledged the importance of the Office, by moving forward the institution from one regulated by an Ordinary Act of Parliament in 1995, and therefore objectively influenced by the simple majority rule, to a Constitutional Office in 2007,  backed by the two-thirds qualified majority rule, without therefore the  risk of deadlock mechanism entrapments, and continued to be further reinforced in 2020.

The institution is trusted, credible and effective at home and abroad.

Unlike what a handful may think, the Office of the Ombudsman is definitely not a “toothless” institution. 
Nor is it a “paper tiger”.  

Nor is it a burden on the public purse.

The Office has insisted with the administrative organs of Government that  they have an obligation to abide strictly by the rule of law and be fair in their day to day operations.

As always, there are ways and ways how this target can be achieved.

Past experience has shown that when the public administration is approached in an aggressive manner, such confrontation could in the long term prove inconclusive, as far as remedies are concerned, especially in matters that concern the vulnerable and the forgotten.  

The Office is not only impartial and independent of Government but  delivers.  

What still needs to be improved is for the public service and the public administration to do their part to be better administrators and service providers, by mending, adjusting or changing their ways, whenever the common good so requires.  

Although the Office of the Ombudsman does not impart executive orders, this is definitely not a weakness because its recommendations carry strong moral authority.

Implementing recommendations of the Office reinforces good governance and encourages public confidence. Shaking the status quo does a wealth of good. Government bodies cannot afford reputational damage or experience an erosion of trust whenever they put aside the recommendations of the Ombudsman or the Commissioners.

It is a shared global understanding that independent oversight is not merely a check on Government, but a vital feature of democratic maturity. Oversight institutions are not isolated actors, but part of a mosaic of democratic accountability and public trust.  

Good governance in the administration of public affairs is crucial to ensure verifiable respect for human rights.

Independent institutions like the Ombudsman are essential for the promotion and protection of human rights.

The lessons of history have proved that transparent, responsible, accountable and participatory governance are prerequisites for the true respect of human dignity and the defence of human rights. 

Respect for human rights can only have real meaning when human rights, even the most basic, which for many could mean life itself, can be enjoyed in a practical sense.  

Governments cannot afford to pay lip service to all that concerns the promotion and protection of human rights.

This Conference brings together esteemed colleagues, experts and academics.  The Office of the Ombudsman of Malta is honoured and thankful to you all for being here with us.

These 30 year Anniversary celebrations are not an occasion of remembrance but a commitment for the future. The responsibilities of the institution will not diminish but are destined to grow in complexity and relevance.  

We are committed to deepening our work in emerging fields of concern and to reinforcing the view—growing in strength across Europe and beyond—that good administration is not simply a best practice but that it is a fundamental right.

We recognise the many who have placed their trust in our work. We embrace the future with confidence, knowing that the mission of the Ombudsman remains central to any society.

We are determined to move forward, with our international partners, to ensure that independent and impartial oversight remains a reality where everyone matters to ensure that every person receives fair treatment.

Thank you.