6. For the purposes of the preceding subarticle, the medical panel shall be composed of three
practitioners from a public hospital, who may be assisted by specialists practising medicine outside
the public sector.
Article 20
Vacation of office
1. In the event of vacation of office for any reason other than expiration of the term of office or in
the event the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice is suspended from office under the terms
of Article 22, the National Parliament shall, as soon as possible and for such time as it may decide,
appoint a Deputy Ombudsman as interim Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice.
2. In any event, the National Parliament shall appoint a new Ombudsman for Human Rights and
Justice within two (2) months of such vacation.
Article 21
Removal from Office
1. The Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice can be removed from office by a two-third (2/3)
majority in the National Parliament, on the grounds of:
(a) acceptance and performance by the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice of an office,
function or activity that is incompatible with his or her mandate, as set out under Article 17
above;
(b) permanent physical or mental incapacity preventing him or her from performing his or her
functions, attested by a medical panel under the terms of Article 19.6
(c) incompetence;
(d) Definite conviction for a criminal offence that carries a prison sentence of less than one year;
(e) acts or omissions in contradiction with the terms of his or her oath.
2. Any motion for the removal from office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice must
have the support of one-fifth (1/5) of the Members of Parliament;
3. The National Parliament shall set up an ad hoc enquiry committee to review and investigate the
matter that is the object of the motion for removal.
4. The findings of the ad hoc enquiry committee provided for in the preceding subarticle shall, as
soon as possible, be reported to the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, who has the right of
appeal to the Plenary. Such appeal shall be dealt with in a plenary session specifically scheduled to
take a vote on the removal.
5. The findings of the ad hoc enquiry committee shall not be voted on until the appeal lodged has
been reviewed and the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice heard.
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