Gemma Calvet: "Some entities feel overlooked by the Ombudsman's Office"

BarcelonaGemma Calvet (Barcelona, 1966) has a long career as a jurist specializing in human rights. She also served for three years as an independent deputy for ERC in Parliament. Now she aspires to be the new ombudswoman of Barcelona. A race she considers unequal because her adversary, David Bondia, continues to act as ombudsman in the meantime.

What should be the role of an ombudsman of Barcelona?

— First of all, be visible and known. I'm finding that a lot of people don't know the Ombudsman's Office. And this is a deficit, because it defends everyone's rights. Those of the vulnerable population, but also those of middle-class neighbors who are increasingly entering into pauperization, that is, deprivation of rights.

What do you think makes you a better candidate?

— My resume. My vision of consensus and alliances. The city deserves to manage political pluralism from an integrative vision. The Ombudsman does not engage in politics, neither party nor any other. The Ombudsman defends rights.

What moves her to take the step?

— A passion for public service and good governance.

What would be your main priorities for the future mandate?

— Radically reduce municipal bureaucracy at all levels; work hand in hand with the Ombudsman of Catalonia on concrete projects, such as institutionalized minors; be an Ombudsman close to the neighborhoods on a permanent and not improvised basis, and that accountability be quarterly rather than an annual report.

What do you think was not done well enough in the last term?

— Some social entities focused on maximum vulnerability and social volunteering have said that compared to the previous stage, the ombudsman's office has only acted in an isolated manner. They feel overlooked. The ombudsman's activity has intensified in the months before and during the campaign.

In an interview on Betevé he said that there is a risk of straining the debate or falling into magical solutions. Does he feel that this has been the case?

— Yes. In the area of housing, for example. I believe that the large-scale speculative operation that Barcelona is suffering from is a scandal. But one must differentiate between the large, speculative real estate owner and middle-class people who own two apartments. To say that being an owner is being a speculator seems like an outrage to me.

Do you agree with the Casa Orsola resolution?

— I can't say I'm against what was done because I wasn't there, but I think a longer path should have been followed and other stakeholders included to find solutions.

Is the Barcelona Ombudsman overstepping its functions?

— When you defend the rights of people living in Catalonia and Barcelona, you never overstep. You have to find ways of coordination.

He says he wants to bring the Ombudsman's Office to the neighborhoods. How is it done?

— Making a plan and with dialogue tables from the Ombudsman's Office. A permanent conversation is needed, going to each district at least once a month.

With the current template, is it feasible to do this?

— If well planned, it is possible.

Another important problem in the city is insecurity. What can be done about it, from the Ombudsman's Office?

— An in-depth study of the real impact of insecurity in the city. But I have always advocated for the local police to be present in the districts, not in offices.

In a speech, he spoke of a pact for fraternity. What does it consist of?

— Finding a way to end polarized discourses and confrontation with the adversary. Creating a pact of fraternity is to recover a vision of social action from political pluralities. And finding common denominators. That even, for example, groups that want to protest, which is legitimate, can find a language or a modus operandi that minimally disturbs the general interest. And that this does not detract from their capacity for social impact.

What can the Ombudsman's Office do regarding homelessness?

— Ensure compliance with the homelessness law and request its approval as soon as possible.

In the program, she claims the feminist aspect. What does she want to contribute in this regard to the Ombudsman's Office?

— The inclusion of the gender perspective transversally throughout the work of the Ombudsman's Office, which has not been the case until now. I believe it is time for women to be leading administrations. I believe that women have a special sensitivity for social care, for care and for the defense of rights.

Have you missed this feminist accent in the Board of Directors?

— My vision of the Audit Office is that it has not had a gender perspective at any time. Nor has it fought against sexist violence.

It also places a lot of emphasis on reducing bureaucracy. How?

— Diagnoses of procedures must be made. It cannot be that there are establishments that take two years to move a shutter one meter.