The Office of the Ombudsman : a vehicle for human rights protection via good governance and rule of law in democratic states

Abstract

An absence of good governance and/or rule of law gravely endanger human rights protection. This article establishes the necessity of the Office of the Ombudsman by articulating its central role and its means in the implementation of the rule of law, good governance and democracy. The end result of achieving these goals is the fulfillment of human rights protection. This article addresses how the Ombudsman safeguards human rights by building bridges between citizens and their governments, making it arguably the most important domestic institution responsible for this goal. The main argument outlined in this article is that good governance is the common denominator, the thread that runs through the tapestry of democratic principles: the rule of law, an independent judiciary and judicial review. It is the Ombudsman that safeguards good governance thus supporting the rest of the social fabric. It impedes the maladministration of government offices. In doing so it therefore provides for human rights protection, and that is the basis of sustainable development. This ensures that the entire tapestry remains intact. [excerpt]