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'''Ombudsman''' is a term given to someone who is in charge of neutrally handling and replying to all the complaints about a particular organization.  

'''Ombudsman''' is a term given to someone who is in charge of neutrally handling and replying to all the complaints about a particular organization.  

The '''current ombudsman''' is [[Chris LaHatte]]; he assumed this position in July, 2011.<ref>[http://www.linkedin.com/pub/chris-lahatte/12/5a1/584 LinkedIn.com, Chris LaHatte]</ref> He can be contacted at ombudsman[at]icann.org.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/biog/lahatte.htm Bio LaHatte, ICANN.org]</ref>

The '''current ombudsman''' for [[ICANN]] is [[Herb Waye]]; he assumed this position in July, 2016.<ref>[https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/about-2012-02-25-en About <abbr>ICANN</abbr>’s Ombudsman]</ref> He can be contacted at ombudsman[at]icann.org.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/biog/lahatte.htm Bio LaHatte, ICANN.org]</ref>

==ICANN Ombudsman==

==ICANN Ombudsman==

Responsibilities of the [[ICANN]] ombudsman include dispute resolution, filing complaints and taking actions in response to ICANN staff, board or supporting organization decisions.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/ombudsman/contact.htm ICANN Ombudsman]</ref> ICANN is required to have a fair and impartial ombudsman.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/ombudsman/ ICANN Ombudsman]</ref>

Responsibilities of the [[ICANN]] ombudsman include dispute resolution, filing complaints and taking actions in response to ICANN staff, board or supporting organization decisions.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/ombudsman/contact.htm ICANN Ombudsman]</ref> ICANN is required to have a fair and impartial ombudsman.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/ombudsman/ ICANN Ombudsman]</ref>

The [[ICANN]] ombudsman has the powers to access all documents and files. He can take action if there is any behavior by ICANN board members and staff that is perceived as unfair, inappropriate, or inconsistent with the organization's Articles and [[ICANN Bylaws]]. He is required to submit an annual report to the  [[ICANN Board]]. The ICANN ombudsman must adhere to the standard rules of [[The Ombudsman Association]].<ref>[http://www.icann.org/ombudsman/ombudsman-framework-03dec04.htm ICANN Ombudsman]</ref>

The [[ICANN]] ombudsman has the powers to access all documents and files. He can take action if there is any behavior by ICANN board members and staff that is perceived as unfair, inappropriate, or inconsistent with the organization's Articles and [[ICANN Bylaws]]. He is required to submit an annual report to the  [[ICANN Board]]. The ICANN ombudsman must adhere to the standard rules of [[The Ombudsman Association]].<ref>[http://www.icann.org/ombudsman/ombudsman-framework-03dec04.htm ICANN Ombudsman]</ref>

===Criticism===

==Criticism==

The independence of the ICANN Ombudsman has been questioned given the fact that is hired and fired by the [[ICANN Board]] and reports to the [[ICANN Chairman]]. There were also complaints that some of the first complaints that [[Frank Fowlie]] dealt with were not handled with anonymity and in accordance with the required privacy rules. There were also complaints that Mr. Fowlie had an indefinite tenure and was not expected to re-apply or held to any form of term limits.<ref>[http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2010/3/9/4475973.html Archives, Blog.InternetGovernance.org]</ref>

The independence of the ICANN Ombudsman has been questioned given the fact that is hired and fired by the [[ICANN Board]] and reports to the [[ICANN Board#Current Board of Directors|ICANN Chair]]. There were also complaints that the person filling the role, [[Frank Fowlie]] at the time, had an indefinite tenure and was not expected to re-apply or held to any form of term limits.<ref>[http://blog.internetgovernance.org/blog/_archives/2010/3/9/4475973.html Archives, Blog.InternetGovernance.org]</ref>

 

There was a general disapproval of closed-door meetings convened in November 2012, by new ICANN CEO, [[Fadi Chehadé]], at the bequest of ICANN's [[IPC|Intellectual Property Constituency]] and [[Business Constituency]], and Ms. [[Maria Farrell]] of ICANN's [[NCUC|Non-Commercial User Constituency]] was the first to submit an official complaint to the [[ICANN Ombudsman]].<ref>[http://domainincite.com/11294-ombudsman-probing-secretive-trademark-clearinghouse-meetings Ombudsman Probing Secretive Trademark Clearinghouse Meetings, DomainIncite]Published December 12 2012, Retrieved 25 Jan 2013</ref> In a public post she went on the explain, "The complaint is not simply about lack of consultation of constituencies, but about secrecy of the process re. notice, transcripts and documentation, and how it undermines the existing processes whilst privileging a particular interest group." The complaint was brought up by the Ombudsman who asked for further input. However, ICANN CEO [[Fadi Chehadé]] admitted some 2 months later that convening the meetings and producing the [[Trademark Clearinghouse#Strawman Solution|Strawman Solution to the Trademark Clearinghouse]] was the biggest mistake of his first months as CEO.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/11732-industry-man-chehade-admits-strawman-mistake Industry Man Chehade Admits Strawman Mistake, DomainIncite.com]Published and Retrieved 25 Jan 2013</ref>

==Previous Ombudsmen==

==Previous Ombudsmen==

===First Ombudsman===

===First Ombudsman===

[[Frank Fowlie]] was selected to be the first ombudsman of [[ICANN]] in November, 2004. Mr. Fowlie is a native Canafian; he has over 20 years of experience as an ombudsman and conflict resolution officer for different companies in Canada and The USA.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-24nov04-2.htm ICANN Announcements]</ref> After 6 years of service, [[Frank Fowlie]] resigned from his post in early 2011, he said that he was tired of the traveling requirements.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-28oct10-en.htm ICANN]</ref>

[[Frank Fowlie]] was selected to be the first ombudsman of [[ICANN]] in November, 2004. Mr. Fowlie is a native Canafian; he has over 20 years of experience as an ombudsman and conflict resolution officer for different companies in Canada and The USA.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-24nov04-2.htm ICANN Announcements]</ref> After 6 years of service, [[Frank Fowlie]] resigned from his post in early 2011, he said that he was tired of the traveling requirements.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-28oct10-en.htm ICANN]</ref>

[[Herb Waye]] served as the Interim Ombudsman following Mr. Fowlie's resignation.<ref>[[ICANN 40]] Interview</ref>

[[Herb Waye]] served as the Interim Ombudsman following Mr. Fowlie's resignation.<ref>[[ICANN 40]] Interview</ref>

When assuming the position of Ombudsman, Mr. LaHatte said that he hoped to help work on effective cross-cultural communication within ICANN, and was also noted that he was preparing for disputes related to the new gTLD program.<ref>[http://www.domainnews.com/en/new-icann-ombudsman-promises-voice-for-developing-countries.html New ICANN Ombudsman Promises Voice for Developing Countries, DomainNews.com]</ref>

When assuming the position of Ombudsman, Mr. LaHatte said that he hoped to help work on effective cross-cultural communication within ICANN, and was also noted that he was preparing for disputes related to the new gTLD program.<ref>[http://www.domainnews.com/en/new-icann-ombudsman-promises-voice-for-developing-countries.html New ICANN Ombudsman Promises Voice for Developing Countries, DomainNews.com]</ref>

Chris LaHatte was dealing with twice as many complaints as his predecessor as of January, 2012, though many of these are issues that he must refer elsewhere as they fall outside his own jurisdiction.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/ombudsman-dealing-with-new-gtlds-complaint/ Ombudsman Dealing With new gTLDs Complaint, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

Chris LaHatte was dealing with twice as many complaints as his predecessor as of January 2012, though many of these are issues that he must refer elsewhere as they fall outside his own jurisdiction.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/ombudsman-dealing-with-new-gtlds-complaint/ Ombudsman Dealing With new gTLDs Complaint, DomainIncite.com]</ref>

 

 

LaHatte completed his service as Ombudsman in July 2016, and was succeeded by [[Herb Waye]].<ref>[https://ombuds-blog.blogspot.com/2016/07/icann-to-reevaluate-ombuds-role.html Ombuds-Blog - ICANN to Reevaluate Ombudsman Role]</ref>

==External Links==

==External Links==

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[[Category:Glossary|Ombudsman]]

[[Category:ICANN Bodies]]