First online registration, then visit to the office? The Commissioner for Human Rights demands explanations

The Commissioner for Human Rights shared the view of a resident of Łódź who filed a complaint to the Commissioner for Human Rights about difficulties in accessing public services provided by the Department of Citizens’ Affairs and Communications of the City of Łódź Office.

The complainant argued that settling administrative matters relating to registering a vehicle, collecting a driving licence, issuing an identity card and registering at the place of permanent residence requires prior arrangement of a visit to the office via the website recepcja.uml.lodz.pl, which in his opinion excludes elderly people who do not have access to the Internet or who have difficulties using it from accessing the office.

As a result, these residents are unable to resolve administrative matters within a reasonable or required time frame.

This leads to a violation of the right of citizens to equal access to public services and the principle of expeditious proceedings, which obliges public administration bodies to act effectively, i.e. efficiently, quickly and effectively, and to avoid unnecessary delays.

The Commissioner for Human Rights shared this view and asked the director of the above-mentioned department, Beata Andrzejczak, to investigate the reported case and to address the allegations raised by the Łódź resident.