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12. The mandate of the Ombudsman shall cover prevention and
correction of maladministration, and the protection and promotion of
human rights and fundamental freedoms.

13. The institutional competence of the Ombudsman shall cover public
administration at all levels.

The mandate of the Ombudsman shall cover all general interest and
public services provided to the public, whether delivered by the State, by
the municipalities, by State bodies or by private entities.

The competence of the Ombudsman relating to the judiciary shall be
confined to ensuring procedural efficiency and administrative functioning
of that system.
14. The Ombudsman shall not be given nor follow any instruction from
any authorities.

15. Any individual or legal person, including NGOs, shall have the right to
free, unhindered and free of charge access to the Ombudsman, and to
file a complaint.

16. The Ombudsman shall have discretionary power, on his or her own
initiative or as a result of a complaint, to investigate cases with due regard
to available administrative remedies. The Ombudsman shall be entitled
to request the co-operation of any individuals or organisations who may
be able to assist in his or her investigations. The Ombudsman shall have
a legally enforceable right to unrestricted access to all relevant
documents, databases and materials, including those which might
otherwise be legally privileged or confidential. This includes the right to
unhindered access to buildings, institutions and persons, including those
deprived of their liberty.

The Ombudsman shall have the power to interview or demand written
explanations of officials and authorities and shall, furthermore, give
particular attention and protection to whistle-blowers within the public
sector.

17. The Ombudsman shall have the power to address individual
recommendations to any bodies or institutions within the competence of
the Institution. The Ombudsman shall have the legally enforceable right
to demand that officials and authorities respond within a reasonable time
set by the Ombudsman.

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