João Lázaro and Tiago Fidalgo de Freitas take up office as Deputy Ombudsmen

João Lázaro and Tiago Fidalgo de Freitas took up office on 7 September as Deputy Ombudsmen. The ceremony, presided over by the Ombudsperson, Luísa Neto, was held at the Library of the Ombudsman’s Office and also marked the end of the terms of office of Estrela Chaby and Ravi Afonso Pereira, publically acknowledging them with due recognition by the institution they served in an exemplary way.

João Lázaro has dedicated his professional career to defending and promoting the rights of victims of crime and violence. He served as Chief Executive Officer of the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV) from 2012 to 2026 and as President of Victim Support Europe. He has also worked as a lawyer and trainer specialising in this field.

A legal scholar, lecturer and researcher, Tiago Fidalgo de Freitas is an Invited Assistant Professor at the University of Lisbon School of Law and Executive Coordinator of the Lisbon Public Law Research Centre. His academic and research work has focused particularly on Constitutional Law and Fundamental Rights, Administrative Law, European Union Law and Public International Law.