Introduction In contrast to previous years, the majority of complaints in 2013 related not to the social sector but to problems regarding internal security issues. This is due to the great increase in complaints relating to the law on asylum and the law on aliens. This is followed by complaints on social matters; the number of complaints in this area has remained almost unchanged since last year and has levelled off at a high level. The increase in complaints relating to the penal system is noteworthy. The AOB believes this to be a consequence of the many visits and consultation days at correctional institutions Sensitise general public to human and citizens‘ rights However, the AOB‘s roles do not relate exclusively to monitoring and ensuring that human rights as well as the rights of persons with disabilities are observed. It is not only a case of identifying undesirable trends, presenting them for discussion and ensuring that deficits are rectified. The AOB also considers its role to foster the awareness process so as to achieve an end to this “culture of looking the other way” in the case of undesirable trends or deficits. The next aim is to compile a long list of reform tasks. It will only be possible to realise this with the help of members of parliament. 8