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[21 February 2008] - A political scandal following the appointment of a children’s ombudsperson in Norway has dominated national headlines, and highlighted the need for such roles to remain independent. Minister of Children and Equality, Manuela Ramin-Osmundsen last week announced her resignation after she appointed new Ombudsman, Ida Hjort Kraby, with whom she was found to be personally associated, to the position of children’s ombudsperson. Hjort Kraby followed her out of the door shortly afterwards. Reporters had discovered that the minister and Hjort Kraby had both been members of a "women lawyers network". Over several days the press also revealed that the two had also met on various private occasions over many years. When asked to do so, the minister had not acknowledged the relationship. Eventually, the political opposition, through the Parliamentary Control Committee, called the Minister to an open hearing on the issue. However, early on Thursday she met with the Prime Minister, and they agreed that she should step down. The role Norway was the first country to establish an ombudsperson with statutory powers to protect children and their rights. An ombudsperson acts as a “citizen defender”, dealing with complaints from the public about injustice and maladministration by government agencies. Some receive complaints from individuals and might have the authority to mediate between citizens and authority. Others might have the power to bring cases to court. As such, the independence of the ombudsperson from government is considered critical. This rule is a clear feature of the Paris Principles, which were established to help define the work of so-called ‘national institutions’. They say an ombudsperson should stand above party politics, be totally impartial and fair and be able to criticise and make recommendations. They should also be free to look into issue without government approval, while offices must be adequately resourced and free from state financial control. Different countries have different systems, so there may be either a separate children’s ombudsperson or children’s rights commissioner, or there may be focal points for children’s rights which exist within general human rights commissions or ombudsperson offices. The Committee on the Rights of the Child, the body responsible for monitoring the implementation of the UNCRC, has consistently emphasised the vital role of children’s ombudspersons in monitoring, promoting and protecting children’s rights. Incumbent keen to stay on Manuela Ramin-Osmundsen was Norway's first government minister with a non-Scandinavian background. On stepping down, Hjort Kraby said in a press release there must be no question about the Ombudsmann's independence. Meanwhile, former ombudsman Reidar Hjermann says he's keen to continue in the job if asked. Further information
pdf: http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2257982.ece