Following a resolution of the Board of Directors at the Mexico City Meeting, ICANN has posted the revised Ombudsman Framework for community comment. Please see: http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-13mar09-en.htm
The Ombudsman Framework was originally posted for public comment in 2004. It has been the subject of a review by the Board Governance Committee, which has added to the fabric of the document. The Ombudsman has asked that the Board ratify the Framework protocols as the operating policies and procedures of the Office of the Ombudsman. As there has been additional text placed in the document, following a very positive and successful discussion between the Board Governance Committee and the Ombudsman, the Board has asked for community input before finalizing the Framework. Comments will be accepted until April 12.
The following blog post is found at: http://ombuds-blog.blogspot.com/
ICANN Opens Comment Period for Ombuds Protocol
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers will take comments from the public until April 12 on the revised Ombudsman Framework. The ICANN Ombuds program is based on the standards for Organizational Ombuds, but serves only external constituents. According to the Framework, the Ombuds has no jurisdiction over complaints concerning internal administrative matters or personnel issues. The ICANN Ombuds also loses jurisdiction if a complainant initiates a formal complaint process or legal proceeding. The ICANN Ombuds is authorized to issue written reports on individual matters and may waive confidentiality if necessary to further resolution of a complaint. Organizational Ombuds will be interested to compare these and other differences in their practice.