The complainant asked the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) to grant public access to documents related to reception conditions in several Cypriot migration management facilities. The EUAA identified 76 documents falling under the scope of the request, and refused access to all but two documents. In doing so, the EUAA invoked exceptions under the EU legislation on access to documents, arguing that disclosure could undermine public security, personal data, and its decision-making process.

The Ombudsman opened an inquiry and inspected the documents in question. She was not convinced by the EUAA’s arguments and proposed the agency grant significantly increased public access to the documents.

The EUAA accepted the Ombudsman’s proposal and gave the complainant wide access to 64 out of the remaining 74 documents. The Ombudsman welcomed the EUAA’s positive response and closed the inquiry.