The National Ombudsman, Ombudsman and Veteran Ombudsman children are critical of the outgoing cabinet. “We saw a government that ignores signals, advice and rights,” they write in their annual report that they present to the Lower House on Thursday.
The ombudsmen conclude after 2024 that helping people is often not central to the political debate. “Bill proposals, motions and amendments revolve more around the stage than around the citizen,” they write.
For example, the cabinet promised generously recovery to the affected parents in the aftermath of the Surcharge Scandal. Those parents must now wait 78 weeks for a response to their objection.
The ombudsmen, who treat problems between the citizen and government, received around 25,000 complaints last year. That is an increase of almost a quarter compared to the year before.
In their annual report, the Ombudsmen mention various examples of poor government functioning. According to them, advice from authorities that must protect the rule of law are ignored. That leads to improper management.
For example, the annual report states that child and human rights are being violated in the asylum reception, because basic facilities are missing. According to the report, this is due to improper management of governments who refuse to take responsibility for the reception of refugees. The Spreading Act would help, say the ombudsmen.
Q fever patients wait for apologies
In addition, people who are affected by policy are insufficiently involved in making it. “Just as student transport does not meet the needs of children with a disability. They are often too late, too early or not at all, which means they miss their lessons or arrive at school too late,” write the ombudsmen. According to them, in this case practical and financial considerations outweigh the interest of the child.
“A government will never be flawless,” says the annual report. “But where things go wrong, you as a citizen can expect the government to acknowledge and restore this.” According to them, the government is also inadequate here.
For example, Q fever patients still wait for apologies, recognition and help from the government fifteen years later. At the same time, the National Ombudsman has already released three reports. The epidemic raged between 2006 and 2009 and probably arose at a goat farm. The disease spread from animal to human, resulting in tens of thousands of sick and hundreds of deaths.
‘It has been deafening quiet in the last two years’
For the second year in a row, the House of Representatives will receive the annual report in a outgoing period. “While people crave solutions, the cabinet stands on the sidelines and watches politics,” write the ombudsmen.
Four years ago, National Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen spoke of a “outgoing silence” after the fall of Rutte III cabinet. Now he judges harder: “It has been really deafening quiet for the past two years.”
Finally, Van Zutphen calls politics: “Listen to what people need, be honest about what the government can and cannot do and above all: do what you promise. It is time to take responsibility and act, for the citizen of today and the citizen of the future.”
The National Ombudsman, Children’s Ombudsman, and Veterans Ombudsman Are Critical of the Outgoing Cabinet. “We Saw a Government That Ignores Signals, Advice, And Rights,” They Write in Their Annual Report, which They Will present to the House of Representatives on Thursday.
The Ombudsmen conclude after 2024 That Actual Helping People is of not central to the political debate. “Bills, Motions, and Amendments Are More about the Stage Than The Citizen,” They Write.
For Example, The Cabinet Generously Promised Compensation to the Affected Parents in the Aftermath of the Benefits Scandal. Those Parents Now Have To Wait 78 Week for A Response To Their Objection.
The Ombudsmen, Who Handle Problems Between Citizens and the Government, Received Approximately 25,000 Complaints Last Year. That is an increase of Almost a Quarter Compared to the Previous Year.
In Their Annual Report, The Ombudsmen Cite Several Examples of Poor Government Functioning. For example, advice from bodies that are supposed to protect the rule of law is ignored, accordance to them. This leads to improper administration.
For Example, The Annual Report States That Children’s and Human Rights Are Being Violated in Asylum Reception Centers because Basic Facilities are Lacking. Accordance to the report, this is due to improper administration by governments that refuse to take responsibility for the reception of refugees. The Distribution Act would help, The Ombudsmen State.
Q-FEVER Patients are Waiting for Apologies
In Addition, People Affected by Policies are insufficiently Involved in Making Them. “Such as student transport that does not meet the needs of children with disabilities. They are or picked up too late, too early, or not at all, causing them to miss their lesson or arrive at school,” the ombudsmen write. Accordance to them, Practical and Financial Considerations Outweigh The Interests of the Child in This Case.
“A Government Will Never Be Flawless,” The Annual Report States. “But Where Things Go Wrong, You As A Citizen Can Expect the Government to Acknowledge and Rectify This.” Accordance to them, The Government also Falls Short Here.
For Example, Q-FEVER Patients Are Still Waiting for Apologies, Recognition, and Help From the Government Fifteen Years later. At the same time, the National Ombudsman Has Already Issued Three Reports on It. The Epidemic Raged Between 2006 and 2009 and probable originated on a goat farm. The Disease Spread from Animals to Humans, resulting in Tens of Thousands of Sick and Hundreds of Deaths.
‘It has bone deavereningly silent for the past two years’
For the second year in a row, the house of representatives will recoive the annual report in an outgoing period. “While people are yearing for solutions, The Cabinet is on the sidelines and politics is Watching,” The Ombudsmen Write.
Four years ago, National Ombudsman Reinier van Zutphen Spoke of A “Caretaker Silence” After the Fall of the Rutte III Cabinet. Now he Judges More Harshly: “The Past Two Years Have Been Truly Deafeningly Silent.”
In Conclusion, Van Zutphen Calls on Politicians: “Listen to what people need, be honest about what the government can and cannot do, and above all: do what you promise. It is time to take responsibility and act, for the citizen of Today and the Citizen of the Future.”