Parliamentary Ombudsman

Organisation name in original language

Justitieombudsmannen

Category of human rights structure

Parliamentary structure/mechanism

Country

Sweden

Website URL

Not available

Type(s) of body

Not applicable

Address

Riksdagens ombudsmän
Box 16327
SE-103 26 Stockholm

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Legal source(s)

Human rights capacity support

  • According to Section 2 of the Parliamentary Act, the parliament elects ombudsmen under Chapter 13, Section 6, of the Instrument of Government to supervise the application of laws and other statutes in public activities. There are four Parliamentary Ombudsmen (one Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman and three Parliamentary Ombudsmen).

Functions

  • The Parliamentary Ombudsman safeguards individuals’ rights by overseeing public authorities, ensuring legality, impartiality and respect for freedoms. Acting independently of government, the ombudsmen investigate complaints, inspect bodies and promote fair laws, aiming to prevent rights violations and improve legislation.

Specific mandates

Not applicable

Structured cooperation with partners at national level

  • Recommending law changes to parliament or government.
  • Consulting the Committee on the Constitution.
  • Co-lecturing with the Chancellor of Justice.
  • Participating in events coordinated by top courts.
  • Giving requested talks and attending occasional conferences.
  • Hosting civil-society dialogue meetings under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT).
  • Taking part in civil-society training on request.

Structured cooperation with partners at international and EU level

  • Sharing experience through international exchanges.
  • Fulfilling OPCAT-related duties as a national preventive mechanism.
  • Prioritising Nordic and Baltic–Nordic ombudsman networks.
  • Engaging with the International Ombudsman Institute.
  • Participating in the European Network of Ombudsmen.
  • Maintaining contact with international monitoring bodies under OPCAT.

DISCLAIMER The information presented here is collected under contract by the FRA's research network FRANET. The information and views contained do not necessarily reflect the views or the official position of the FRA.