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Chief Ombudsman Mr. Mehmet Akarca, Ombudsmen Mr. Abdullah Cengiz Makas and Mr. Özcan Yıldız, accompanied by the Secretary General of the Ombudsman Institution Mr. Mehmet Doğan, met with the public in Kars within the framework of the program “The Role of the Ombudsman Institution in Resolving Disputes between Citizens and the Administration.”

During the program, Chief Ombudsman Mr. Mehmet Akarca, Governor of Kars Mr. Ziya Polat, and Mayor of Kars Prof. Dr. Ötüken Senger gave speeches.

Emphasizing that the Ombudsman Institution is affiliated with the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (GNAT), Chief Ombudsman Mr. Mehmet Akarca explained that the Ombudsman Institution examines and investigates all acts and actions of the administration, as well as the attitudes and behaviors of public officials, in terms of law and fairness, based on an understanding of justice grounded in human rights, and issues recommendations to public administrations.

“We Act as a Bridge between the Administration and Citizens”

Chief Ombudsman Mr. Akarca reminded that when citizens face grievances, they can lodge a complaint to the Ombudsman Institution before going to court, and emphasized that no fees are charged.

Explaining the methods for lodging a complaint to the Ombudsman Institution, Chief Ombudsman Mr. Akarca stated, “Methods for lodging a complaint to the Ombudsman Institution are extremely easy. Citizens can reach the Institution through the Institution’s website, via the e-Government, by e-mail or by post, and even through provincial and district governorates. Even children under the age of 18 can lodge complaints directly without parental consent. We have an Ombudsman specifically assigned to children’s rights.”

Chief Ombudsman Mr. Akarca underlined that applications are concluded within six months at the latest, and said, “We issue decisions on many matters affecting our citizens. Our greatest aim is to provide legal remedies for citizens’ grievances and to help them attain their rights. In this regard, we have brought important issues that closely concern different segments of our society to the public agenda by issuing recommendation decisions. Furthermore, we have directly provided guidance and legal support to many of our citizens.”

“We Aim to Raise Awareness of Justice and Human Rights among Youth”

Highlighting that the Ombudsman Institution is working to increase the awareness of seeking legal remedies in society, Chief Ombudsman Mr. Mehmet Akarca stated, “We are developing various projects especially for our youth, children, and disadvantaged groups. We are establishing Ombudsman Clubs at universities, aiming to raise awareness of justice and human rights among youth. We are also taking significant steps in the field of digitalization. We are working to make application processes faster, more transparent, and more user-friendly.”

Chief Ombudsman Mr. Mehmet Akarca and the Accompanying Delegation Paid a Series of Visits in Kars

Within the framework of the program “Ombudsman Meets with the Public in Kars,” Chief Ombudsman Mr. Mehmet Akarca and the Ombudsman Institution delegation, paid visits to the Governor of Kars Mr. Ziya Polat and Mayor of Kars Prof. Dr. Ötüken Senger.

Chief Ombudsman Mr. Mehmet Akarca and the accompanying delegation also paid visits to Chairman of the Kars Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Kadir Bozan, Head of Kars Bar Association Mr. Necat Yağci, and Rector of Kafkas University Prof. Dr. Hüsnü Kapu.