The Spanish Ombudsman or Defender of the People (Spanish: Defensor del Pueblo) is the ombudsman of the Cortes Generales responsible for defending the fundamental rights and public liberties of citizens by supervising the activity of public administrations.

The Ombudsman ceases by resignation, expiration of the term of appointment, by death or disability, by acting with gross negligence in compliance with the obligations and duties of the office or by having been convicted, by final judgment, of willful misconduct.

They can not be arrested, disciplined, fined, persecuted or judged on the basis of the opinions they formulate or the acts they perform in the exercise of the powers inherent to the position.

The Ombudsman shall appoint and separate their Deputies following the approval of the Cortes Generales in the manner determined by their Regulations.

The Ombudsman may freely appoint the extra advisors necessary for the exercise of their functions, in accordance with the Regulations and within budgetary limits.

The Ombudsman will also ensure respect for the rights in the scope of the Military Administration, without it interfering in the command of the National Defense.