Limited accessibility: The ombuds service of the german-speaking community is closed from 23.06.2025 due to holidays. The service is accessible again from 25.06.2025.
The ombudsmen adopt a resolution on the right to make mistakes
On Wednesday, March 18, Marc BERTRAND, Ombudsman of Wallonia and the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and Chairman of Ombudsman.be, the Belgian network of ombudsmen, presented the resolution adopted by all members of the network to the press. The same resolution was addressed to all parliaments and governments of the country. The Belgian network of ombudspersons, ombudsman.be for short, to which the ombudsperson of the German-speaking Community belongs, recommends that politicians enshrine the 'right to make mistakes' in law.
For a fairer administration: on the way to legal recognition of the right to make mistakes.
Given the increasing complexity of administrative procedures, mistakes can easily happen. The right to make mistakes, which is already enshrined in law in France and the Netherlands, was adopted by the Belgian Senate in 2021 and has now been included in several recent intergovernmental agreements.
This principle is based on a simple idea: trusting citizens, considering them to be acting in good faith and giving them the opportunity to correct a mistake without fear of immediate sanctions. It is a transformation of administrative practices towards a more benevolent and pedagogical approach that promotes a relationship of trust between citizens and the administration.
A legal framework for a more humane administration
Including the right to make mistakes in legislation would give citizens the opportunity to correct a mistake without risking arbitrary sanctions. It would also provide certainty to civil servants by giving them a clear framework for considering such corrections. This principle does not call into question the fight against fraud, but distinguishes between errors made in good faith and fraudulent behavior.
The recommendations of Ombudsman.be, the Belgian network of ombudsmen.
Ombudsman.be proposes several essential elements for the implementation of the right to error:
Giving the citizen the opportunity to correct an error within a reasonable period of time.
Insist on the good faith of the citizen and exclude fraud.
Clarify the role of administrations in assisting citizens.
Towards a more accessible administration
Adopting the right to make mistakes would strengthen trust between citizens and the state while ensuring fairer and more transparent administrative procedures. This principle represents a major step forward towards a more humane administration that respects citizens' rights.
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For a fairer administration: on the way to legal recognition of the right to make mistakes.
Given the increasing complexity of administrative procedures, mistakes can easily happen. The right to make mistakes, which is already enshrined in law in France and the Netherlands, was adopted by the Belgian Senate in 2021 and has now been included in several recent intergovernmental agreements.
This principle is based on a simple idea: trusting citizens, considering them to be acting in good faith and giving them the opportunity to correct a mistake without fear of immediate sanctions. It is a transformation of administrative practices towards a more benevolent and pedagogical approach that promotes a relationship of trust between citizens and the administration.
A legal framework for a more humane administration
Including the right to make mistakes in legislation would give citizens the opportunity to correct a mistake without risking arbitrary sanctions. It would also provide certainty to civil servants by giving them a clear framework for considering such corrections. This principle does not call into question the fight against fraud, but distinguishes between errors made in good faith and fraudulent behavior.
The recommendations of Ombudsman.be, the Belgian network of ombudsmen.
Ombudsman.be proposes several essential elements for the implementation of the right to error:
Giving the citizen the opportunity to correct an error within a reasonable period of time.
Insist on the good faith of the citizen and exclude fraud.
Clarify the role of administrations in assisting citizens.
Towards a more accessible administration
Adopting the right to make mistakes would strengthen trust between citizens and the state while ensuring fairer and more transparent administrative procedures. This principle represents a major step forward towards a more humane administration that respects citizens' rights.
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The Ombudsperson of the German-speaking Community of Belgium
A mediator between the citizens and the administration
The ombudsperson can mediate between a citizen and an administrative authority or an association.
The person can present his point of view on an issue.
The person can present his point of view on an issue.
The analysis and bundling of the various contributions is intended to improve the administration in the long term.
the Ombudsperson mediates by complaints against decisions or proceedings
of an administrative authorities or of an municipality or social welfare centre in the German-speaking Community:
of the following educational institutions in the German-speaking Community
van de volgende verzorgingsinstellingen in de Duitstalige Gemeenschap
one of the following institutions inside the German-speaking Community:
If you do not know exactly which institution in the German-speaking Community is responsible, you may find your problem in the following list:
The ombudsperson is not responsible for these complaints:
via federal, regional or foreign authorities.
via hospitals
over autonomous companies such as the railroad or the post office.
in private disputes.
The Ombudswoman will direct the Issue to the relevant Ombudsman Service.
Who can lodge a complaint?
a citizen
a company
an association
Irrespective of his nationality, place of residence or place of business, any natural or legal person or de facto association may lodge a complaint with the ombudswoman.
You still don't know who can actually investigate your complaint?
Just search under http://www.ombudsman.be/de.
You can contact the Consumer Protection Center in Eupen for tenancy disputes or problems with your hirer or renter or your energy or telephone provider. https://verbraucherschutzzentrale.be
the ombudsperson
The ombudsperson listens to your issue in a confidential manner. She is subject to professional secrecy. Her service is free of charge.
She is your partner for a mutual- and out-of-court solution to your issue with an administration.
She sees herself as an independent and neutral bridge builder, committed to the resumption of dialogue between the administrative authority and you.
Call!
The ombudsperson has a free phone number:
phone: 0800 98759
You can reach the office of the ombudsperson by telephone
montags von 13:30 to 16:30 Uhr, dienstags von 9 to 12 Uhr, freitags von 09 to 12 Uhr.
If she does not answer immediately, she may have a conversation or attend a meeting. She will get back to you as soon as possible.
At other times, please leave a message in the voice mail, and the Ombudswoman will get in touch with you as soon as possible.
oder nutzen Sie das Online-Formular: https://www.dg-ombudsdienst.be/en/complaint_form.htm
Ombudsdienst der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft