The Hong Kong Ombudsman and Human Rights Protection Revisited

One major worldwide development for the ombudsman office is the extension of its jurisdiction from purely one of super-vision over potential maladministration to one also addressing human rights infringement. Various factors determine the degree of intensity of human rights issues that an ombudsman will have to encounter. Six ombudsman and human rights models are posited reflecting varying degree of involvement by an ombudsman in human rights protection. Since its establishment in 1989, Hong Kong has had four ombudsmen, the latest one recently taking up office. The three previous Hong Kong ombudsmen adopted different ombudsman and human rights models and attitudes towards human rights protection. Built upon past experience, suggestions will be made as to the plausible development of the office of the Hong Kong Ombudsman so that it can contribute to the advancement of human rights protection in Hong Kong.