Background

The constitution of the FDRE envisions a democratic community that respects the rule of law and ensures respect for human and democratic rights. The Ethiopian Institution of the Ombudsman, along with other democratic institutions is a critical element for the implementation of this vision. The establishment of the Institution of the Ombudsman is set out in Article 55(15) of the FDRE Constitution.

An international conference was held in Addis Ababa in May 1998, hosted by the Federal House of People's Representatives. The findings of this conference regarding best international practices provided the basis for the roles of the Ethiopian Institution of the Ombudsman and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission as core democratic institutions, through the Constitution of the FDRE.

The role of the EIO is said to be essential to the provision of justice and the protection of the rights of citizens. The EIO could serve as one institutional mechanism for the settlement of disputes, using negotiation as one way of resolving problems and for attaining the win-win settlement of disputes between the government and the citizen.

In 2000, the enabling legislation of the Ethiopian Institution of the Ombudsman (EIO) was passed by the Parliamentary Proclamation 211/2000. This Proclamation established that the main function of the EIO is to prevent and rectify maladministration and thus to promote good governance.

In 2004, the Chief Ombudsman was appointed and in 2005, the Deputy Chief Ombudswoman and the Ombudswoman for Children and Women were appointed. Since then the Institution has been engaged in organizing and employing key personnel so as to hire staff and conduct its functions to the full scale. The staff, under the direction of the ombudsman for women and children is responsible to give special attention to respond to the specific needs of women and children with regards to mal administration.

The EIO has developed a comprehensive five year strategic plan and identified strategic goals and objectives, priorities and action plan in pursuit of the institution’s vision, mission and values. The plan has also serve as a framework for coordination amongst donors and partners of the EIO, and will provide the foundation for future strategic planning and institutional growth.

Objective

The objective of the institution shall be to see to brining about good governance that is of high quality, efficient and transparent, and is based on the rule of law, by way of ensuring that citizens’ rights and benefits provided for by law are respected by organs of the executive.

Powers and Duties

The institution shall have the powers and duties to:

1. supervise that administrative directives issued, and decisions given, by executive organs and the practices thereof do not contravene the constitutional rights of citizens and the law as well;
2. receive and investigate complaints in respect of maladministration;
3. conduct supervision, with a view to ensuring that the executive carries out its functions in accordance with the law and to preventing maladministration;
4. seek remedies in case where it believes that maladministration has occurred;
5. undertake studies and research on ways and means of curbing maladministration;
6. make recommendations for the revision of existing laws, practices or directives and for the enactment of new laws and formulation of policies, with a view to bringing about better governance;
7. perform such other functions as are related to its objective.

Vision, Mission and Core Values

Vision
A Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia where all citizens receive high quality public service that is accountable, transparent and efficient.
Mission
To promote good governance and prevent maladministration in the public sector by:

• Educating:- Creating public awareness of the role and mandate of the EIO, and raising awareness of the principles of good governance and the rule of law;
• Enhancing:- Encouraging and assisting government institutions to develop policies, procedures and mechanisms to enhance good governance and provide an internal redress mechanism for complaints of malfeasance;
• Resolving:- Rectifying and redressing cases of maladministration through an effective complaints handling service;
• Reforming:- Recommending ways and means of correcting maladministration, based upon research and enquiry.

Core Values

• Independence
• Impartiality
• Equality and Equity for all people
• Accessibility and efficiency
• Integrity and Responsiveness
• Transparency of policies and programmes
• Confidentiality to protect individual
• Accountability to the public
• Professionalism and teamwork

Organizational Structure

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