VI.
THE OMBUDSPERSON FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES
79.
The Office of Ombudsperson for Financial Services was set up in March 2019 under the
2018 Ombudsperson for Financial Services Act with a view to providing better protection to
consumers of financial services, including namely to inform and educate the general public on
investments in financial services offered by financial institutions and to assist the Ombudsperson
in dealing with complaints made by consumers of financial services against financial institutions.
As from 1 July 2019, the Office operates under the aegis of the Prime Minister’s Office.
DISSEMINATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS INSTRUMENTS
80.
The Action Plan 2012-2020 on Human Rights for Mauritius was adopted in October 2012
and at least 90% of the measures have been attained at different degree of completion. A wide
consultative campaign will be carried out with all relevant stakeholders prior to finalizing the new
Action Plan 2020-2029, which will include all the recommendations that the State has received in
respect of the various conventions it has been reviewed.
81.
The Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ministry of Justice, Human
Rights and Institutional Reforms are working in close collaboration for the establishment of a
National Reporting and Tracking Database (NRTD), which will provide NMRF the appropriate
system to facilitate the recording, tracking, and reporting on implementation of human rights
recommendations.
82.
Mauritius is among the first five countries globally to establish the National Reporting and
Tracking Database and it will be the first country in Africa to do so. Training sessions were held
by the OHCHR in May 2019 with all members of the National Mechanism for Reporting and
Follow Up, that is representatives of Ministries, Civil Society and NGOs. The NRTD aims at
further consolidating the engagement and coordination capacity of the NMRF by providing up to
date and accurate information on the implementation of recommendations, within the deadlines.
HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS
83.
The promotion of human rights awareness through education programmes, media and
Government sponsored public information and assistance from partnership is a common feature
throughout Mauritius.
84.
Among the salient activities of the Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and Institutional
Reforms, it is worthwhile noting (a) the publication for the first time ever of the Constitution of
the Republic of Mauritius in braille, (b) the launching of the know your rights pamphlet and (c)
the production of 8 video clips of human rights awareness (d) a talk by Ms. Thuli Madonsela,
Advocate of the High Court of South Africa and also a lifelong activist on social justice,
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