Latest news with #Ombudsman'sOffice
Newsroom
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsroom
Watchdog rules against foreign ministry in dispute over whether Israel group was ‘vexatious'
The foreign ministry should not have refused to answer information requests from a pro-Israel think tank on the grounds that it saw them as vexatious, a government watchdog has ruled. However, the Ombudsman's Office has labelled as inappropriate the Israel Institute of NZ's alleged harassment of ministry staff via social media, warning any continuation or escalation of its behaviour could lead to a change of opinion.
Cision Canada
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé to release Annual Report on Wednesday, June 25
TORONTO, /CNW/ - Ombudsman Paul Dubé will publicly release his Annual Report on Wednesday, June 25 at 11 a.m., after it is tabled with the Legislative Assembly. The report covers the work of the Ombudsman's Office during the 2024-2025 fiscal year (from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025), including updates on investigations, trends in cases, and case summaries. Ombudsman Dubé will hold a press conference about the report at the Queen's Park Media Studio on June 25 from 11 to 11:30 a.m., in which journalists can participate in person or by phone. The press conference will also be streamed live on the Ombudsman's website – The report, press release, highlights and Mr. Dubé's opening remarks will be posted on the Ombudsman's website at 11 a.m. and shared via social media. Ombudsman staff will be available to answer questions from journalists on background prior to the press conference in Committee Room 1 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Kuwait Times
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Stateless in Serbia: Russians, Belarusians left in limbo
NOVI SAD: More than 20 Russians and Belarusians living in Serbia have become 'stateless' after not being granted the Serbian nationality they had applied for. Most have lived in Serbia for more than a decade — buying property, starting businesses and raising children born in the country — where they are now basically trapped, unable to leave. Up to two years after renouncing their original nationality — which is required under Serbian rules — none has received a clear explanation from authorities for the delay. 'It has now been almost a year and a half that I've been without any citizenship,' former Russian citizen Igor Grishin told AFP. 'And I don't know how long it will last,' he added. 'A month, a year... or the rest of my life.' The 58-year-old health podcaster has lived for 11 years in the northern town of Sremski Karlovci with his wife and two daughters. His wife and older daughter obtained Serbian citizenship earlier, while the younger acquired it by birth. 'I cannot travel with my family,' Grishin said. 'I couldn't go to my mother's funeral in the Russian Federation and I cannot even visit her grave,' he added. Grishin is in contact with more than 20 others in the same situation — though these are only the known cases. Those AFP spoke to claim they have never expressed any political views — either about Russia or Serbia — which in the past has cost some Russians in Serbia their residency there. All said they had passed all security checks and renounced their original nationality as the final step. Big Russian influx 'Serbia gave us confirmation — a guarantee — that it would accept us if we renounced our citizenship,' Sergei Stets, a former Belarusian citizen who lives in Novi Sad, told AFP. 'I've now been without any citizenship for a year and a half,' said the 46-year-old former mountain bike coach from Minsk. 'I feel as if we're not wanted — neither there, nor here,' he said. Once the selector of Serbia's national team, he had to give it up because he is unable to leave the country, and now gets by delivering meals on his bike. His wife, a horse-riding and equine therapy instructor, faces the same issue, having previously worked across the region. 'I wrote to the police several times. The answer was always the same — the documentation is under review, and I need to wait,' he said. The Ombudsman's Office confirmed that they 'are aware of the issue', adding that 'the review of complaints is ongoing'. 'Special' cases linked to FSB Every country has the right to conduct additional checks, said experts on migration and asylum. 'Although they completed all procedures and renounced their previous citizenship, the process can still take time,' Rados Djurovic, a lawyer and director of the Asylum Protection Center NGO, told AFP. However, 'there is no justification for keeping people in an unregulated status long-term,' he added. Djurovic said outside factors linked to 'state policy and international relations' may also be to blame for the delays. Proposed amendments to the Citizenship Law in October 2023 aimed at simplifying the process for foreigners were withdrawn after objections from the European Commission. 'The more liberal reforms drew criticism from Europe, with concerns that easing citizenship rules could pose risks to Western countries,' with Serbian citizens allowed to travel freely in the EU without a visa. Despite being a candidate for EU membership, Serbia maintains close ties with Russia and has not joined Western sanctions — including visa restrictions — imposed on Moscow. As a result, demand for Serbian passports has surged, with between 80,000 and 110,000 Russians settling in the country in recent years, according to the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP). While some applicants remain in limbo, others — notably influential Russians — have reportedly obtained citizenship through special procedures. Last month the respected outlet KRIK revealed that 204 Russian nationals were granted Serbian passports for 'national interest' reasons. The list includes individuals linked to Russia's FSB security service, war profiteers from Ukraine and oligarchs under international sanctions. Serbian authorities have not commented on the report. — AFP
