News

Ombudsman investigators  attended a capacity building workshop facilitated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the National Network of African Human Rights Institutions. The three day workshop focused on equipping investigators  with the required tools to carry out investigations, improving existing tools and processes, navigating challenges  encountered in the field, The workshop was attended  by complaints investigators from across the country( Keetmanshoop, Otjiwarongo, Swakopmund, Ongwediva, and  Katima Mulilo ) Minister of Justice,  Yvonne Dausab, who was also in attendance  for the  opening, reminded  investigators  of the crucial  role they play in ensuring  that human rights violations are curbed. 

Complaints investigators in the Office of the Ombudsman recently received training on  sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)

The training which was sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme and facilitated by positive vibes Namibia, equipped investigators with a better understanding on issues affecting sexual and gender diverse communities.  

The Workshop was also aimed at capacitating investigators with dealing with complaints from minority groups, to which LGBTQI+ persons belong.

Hilja Kwedhi, a 17 year old learner from Etosha Secondary School was named the winner of the Children’s Advocate logo design competition. Kwedhi ‘s design was unveiled as the official logo of the Children’s Advocate at an event held in Windhoek on 02 October. The logo depicts a figure embracing two smaller figures, in a protective manner. The new logo will be used on educational and promotional material of the Children’s Advocate.
Kwedhi stated that she was inspired to create an image that embodied warmth and protection but is also appealing to the eyes of every Namibian child and at the same time represents what the office stands for, which is the protection of children’s rights. Children were asked to design the logo and explain wat their design means because, the Children’s Advocate is there to represent them and ensure that their rights are upheld, it was thus imperative that children decided what the logo looks like.
The Junior Mayor of the city of Windhoek, Sylvia Shapumba as one of the key note speakers, placed emphasis on the importance of children knowing their rights as well as the responsibilities that come with these rights.

Speaking at the event, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Director Natalie Russmann stated that it is important that children take ownership in educating themselves, creating awareness on children’s rights, and encouraged active participation of children , in matters pertaining to Children’s Rights.

The Office of the Ombudsman continues to partner with the Law Society of Namibia, to host Free Legal Advice Days  (FLAD) for communities across the country. The initiative  is aimed at providing free legal advice to those who are unable to afford it as well as to register complaints within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.  Thus  far, we have hosted the event at Walvis Bay, Keetmanshoop, Mariental, Oshakati and Otjiwarongo. The next FLAD  will be hosted at Rundu, Gobabis, Rehoboth and  Windhoek respectively.  We will announce dates and venues in due course.

Liz Frank and  Nadia April from the Women’s Leadership Centre  (WLC)paid a courtesy visit to the Children’s Advocate. The WLC is a civil society organisation that focuses on educating and empowering women (especially those from marginalised  communities ) on their human rights.  Amongst the the issues discussed were areas of mutual concern such as harmful cultural practices and the possibility of collaboration between our two organisations, especially in regards to raising awareness. 

  The Office of the Ombudsman celebrated the 33^rd Constitution Day at Keetmasnhoop. Constitution Day is observed every year on February 9^th and it marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Namibian Constitution as the countr’s Supreme Law. This year’s event was held at Keetmasnhoop Primary School where grade seven learners from the town were in attendance. The theme for the celebrations was ‘’how does the bill of rights protect me’’? Children wrote poems based on this theme and the best poems received some exciting process.  Speaking at the occasion, Children’Advovate Heather Harker told the Children about her Office and encourages them to approach her Office in case they have their rights violated; children were also reminded that they need to respect one another as well as their parents and guardians.

The Ombudsman remains committed to creating awareness around the Namibian constitution, especially amongst children.

Consultative meetings and outreach are an integral part of the Ombudsman’s operations.

Having completed a year in office, the Ombudsman Advocate Basilius Dyakugha made it a point to visit all regional leaders and some communities. These visits are important because they serve as an opportunity for dialogue between the Ombudsman, regional leaders such as governors, mayors, councillors and police chiefs. The Ombudsman’s visits also serve as an opportunity to create awareness on the functions of the office, register complaints and to attend to existing complaints.  Additionally, these visits serve as an opportunity to visit solid and liquid waste management sites, in line with the Ombudsman’s mandate of investigating complaints concerning the over-utilization of living natural resources, the irrational exploration and destruction of eco systems and failure to protect the beauty and character of Namibia. The Ombudsman does not only investigate complaints reported to the office but has the prerogative to take up complaints on an own motion basis.

Advocate Heather Harker was appointed as Children’s Advocate/Deputy Chief with effect from 01 October 2022.  The Children’s Advocate assists the Ombudsman in the performance of his functions relating to children by investigating complaints about services provided to children or the violation of children’s rights. She is also tasked with monitoring the implementation of the Child Care and Protection Act 3 of 2015 and other laws pertaining to children. She also raises awareness on issues pertaining to children’s rights and takes cases to court as necessary to further the interest of children.

A media campaign was launched to create awareness on children’s   rights. The campaign features   different messages form four clusters of rights namely; the rights to development, participation, survival and protection. The messages are in the form of animations; this was done in order to ensure that children are able to relate to the message contained in the animation. Posters were published in local newspapers and the animations will be shared on local television, in due course.

The Impalila Island is home to about 2500-3000 people. Residents of the island which is situated off the mainland in Katima Mulilo complained about a lack of services and facilities. Investigations are ongoing.