Word: ombudsman
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Citizen's Complaint. Last week many Britons were looking longingly at a Scandinavian answer to this problem-the institution of the ombudsman (pronounced om-boods-maw), a word that translates roughly as "the grievance man.'' Founded in Sweden 150 years ago in frank imitation of the ancient Roman 'tribunes of the people," whose job it was to watch the administration of justice and give assistance to citizens who were treated harshly, it has since spread to Finland and Denmark, is likely to be adopted this fall by Norway...
Speaking over BBC radio at the invitation of British M.P.s, Denmark's Ombudsman Dr. Stephan Hurwitz outlined his duties. Elected by Parliament (in Hurwitz' case, unanimously), the ombudsman must be a lawyer; he is above party, has a legal staff and annual budget, and is the highest-salaried man in the Danish government. On receiving a complaint from a citizen, or on his own initiative, Dr. Hurwitz can investigate any civil or military establishment. The courts remain outside the ombudsman's control, but he is empowered to look into the affairs of state officials, from Cabinet ministers...
Port & Cigars. Denmark has but one ombudsman, Finland two, while Sweden has three, who respectively 1) guarantee Parliament against abuse by government officials, 2) guarantee Parliament against abuse by the military, 3) guarantee the King against abuse by officials. All three are obliged by law to investigate every complaint of every citizen, to ensure freedom of the press, and to begin prosecution of any official who acts wrongly or neglects his duty...