Ombudsman Institution Typology: An Approach to the Recognition of Genuine Ombudsman

Abstract

In this article, we attempt to study a variety of genuine ombudsman institutions at the national level and the institutions which are classified under the general title "quasi-ombudsman" or "ombudsman-like". The reason behind the diversity and complexity of these institutions around the world lies at this point that the idea of ​​ombudsman in dealing and interacting with different cultures has been faced with many ups and downs and because of its great flexibility, it has adapted itself with the requirements of every society and has taken different yet sometimes contradictory forms. To reach our goal, that is, to achieve a correct and expurgated concept of the notion of ombudsman and after studying different types of ombudsman institutions, the article concludes that the independent Ombudsman institutions which are supported by the Constitution or law and their officials appointed or removed by specific majorities are the Genuine Ombudsman Institutions. In other words, Classical and Hybrid Ombudsman Institutions could be regarded as Genuine Institutions.

Keywords

• "types of ombudsman"
• "classical ombudsman"
• "hybrid ombudsman"
• "quasi-ombudsmen"
• "genuine ombudsman "