Polish Ombudsman

Polish Ombudsman ( _pl. Rzecznik Praw Obywatelskich, literally Ombudsman for Citizen Rights, often abbreviated "RPO") is an independent central office of the Republic of Poland. The office was first established on January 1, 1988. Its functioning is regulated by the Constitution and an act of Polish parliament (Sejm) from July 15, 1987.

Polish law entrusts the ombudsman with four responsibilities with respect to citizen rights:
* prevention
* diagnosis
* monitoring
* creativity

List of Polish Ombudsmen:
*Ewa Łętowska (November 19 1987 - February 12 1992)
*Tadeusz Zieliński (February 13 1992 - May 7 1996)
*Adam Zieliński (May 8 1996 - June 29 2000)
*Andrzej Zoll (June 30 2000 - January 27 2006)
*Janusz Kochanowski (January 27 2006 - to date)

Responsibilities and Powers of the Polish Ombudsman

The ombudsman, deputies and the office protect freedom and rights of the people. They monitor the current events. In case they find that due to intentional actions (or lack there of) by agencies, organizations or institutions which are duty bound to respect freedoms and rights of the people, these freedoms and rights were violated, they undertake action. In such cases, they can act on behalf of the people in courts. The office can undertake such actions only if a thorough analysis of the situation shows that the rights or the freedoms of the people were infringed, and only if such analysis recognizes the need for the ombudsman to be involved in a case. The people have right to ask the ombudsman for intervention.

Election, recall and term of office

* The ombudsman is elected by an act of Sejm and has to be accepted by the Senate.
* The term of office is five years long and the same person cannot hold the office more than twice.
* Sejm has the right to recall the ombudsman with 3/5 majority before the end of term.

Address

After official website:

Rzecznik Praw Obywatelskich, Aleja Solidarności 77, 00-090 Warszawa, Poland

External links

* [http://www.brpo.gov.pl/index.php?s=3 Official site (in English)]