Sra.

Inés Arrimadas García, President

Sr. Carlos Carrizosa Torres, Spokesman
Grup Parlamentari de Ciutadans
Parlament de Catalunya
Parc de la Ciutadella, s / n
08003 Barcelona
Spain

19 November 2018

Dear Parliamentary Group President and Spokesman,

Thank you for your letter regarding the Síndic de Greuges. It was not clear to me whether the
letter was addressed to me in my capacity as Ombudsman and Information Commissioner of
Ireland or President of the International Ombudsman Institute. I will reply in this latter
capacity.
The IOI is the only global Ombudsman organisation with more than 190 members in 100
countries worldwide. Sr. Ribó is President of the European Region.
The IOI does not become involved in the internal political affairs of the countries where we
have members. For this reason, it would not be appropriate for me to do so in this instance.
However, the IOI does act to support any members facing threats. We are particularly
concerned to ensure that the independence of our members is not undermined. I would ask
you respectfully to take great care to avoid taking actions or making any comments which
might have the effect of threating the independence of the Office of Sindíc.

Yours sincerely,

______________
Peter Tyndall