The Austrian Ombudsman Board I. THE AUSTRIAN OBMDUSMAN BOARD 1. Introduction The first part of this report will provide information on how ex-post control for public administration was carried out and what conclusions the Austrian Ombudsman Board (AOB) reached. The second part will show how the AOB fulfils its role and function as the “Human Rights House of the Republic of Austria” and what the results are that it achieved in the implementation of its preventive responsibilities during the past year. The AOB does not only have national responsibilities. It also plays a role in an international environment. There are therefore three major focal points that will be set out in this report on the AOB’s activities: As an institution providing judicial protection, the AOB helps citizens to obtain justice if they feel they have not been treated fairly by public administration authorities. The investigation of individual complaints is also a yardstick to determine how public administration is working. It helps identifying weaknesses or adverse developments in public administration. Monitoring and control of public administration should ultimately promote transparent, efficient and citizen-friendly handling of cases and comprehensible, traceable decision-making processes. Efficient and citizenfriendly public administration as goal With regard to its new responsibilities, the AOB aims at preventing to the greatest extent possible or at least significantly reducing violations of human rights and of the rights of persons with disabilities. It is important to recognise that a considerable portion of the positive work that is achieved in this area must be attributed to the commissions of the AOB and the Human Rights Advisory Council. Preventive activities to protect human rights The AOB has been advancing international cooperation for many years. This cooperation has been institutionalised through the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI); the AOB operates the headquarters of its General Secretariat. Cross-border networks have become an even greater priority as a result of the AOB’s preventive responsibilities. The sharing of experience with other European institutions has therefore been intensified in order to ensure the quality of the activities undertaken and to develop comparable methodologies in monitoring and control activities. International networking 1.1 Structure of the AOB The AOB consists of three members, who are each appointed for six years. At the end of April 2013, the National Council elected Günther Kräuter and The members of the AOB 7