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Showing 1 - 20 of 226 results
How the European Commission deals with an infringement complaint - CHAP(2021)1727, Germany, preliminary reference procedure and membership of trade chambers
Wednesday | 08 March 2023
Decision on the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex)'s decision to reject the complainant's tender for lack of evidence of payment of taxes [Complaint 145/2023/LM]
Friday | 17 February 2023
Decision on the above complaint against the European Commission concerning its reply to a letter concerning an infringement by Italy of the European Account Preservation Order procedure
Thursday | 16 February 2023
The European Commission's failure to acknowledge receipt of an infringement complaint regarding passports issued by Romania
Monday | 13 February 2023
The European External Action Service's failure to reply to e-mails about a judicial matter in Bulgaria
Wednesday | 01 February 2023
The European Commission's refusal to give public access to documents concerning its impact assessment related to a legislative proposal on preventing and combatting child sexual abuse
Monday | 30 January 2023
Decision on how the European Commission replied to a complaint alleging that Ireland breached EU rules on the European Enforcement Order for uncontested claims (1108/2022/KT)
Friday | 02 December 2022
The European Commission’s failure to register a complaint against Spain concerning legal aid to environment protection associations
Monday | 24 October 2022
The European Commission’s failure to acknowledge receipt of an infringement complaint against Germany
Tuesday | 18 October 2022
The lack of reply by the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) to two requests for public access to documents concerning surveillance software
Monday | 17 October 2022
Decision on how the European Commission dealt with letters concerning an alleged breach of the fundamental right to an effective remedy and a fair trial by the Dutch courts (case 1487/2022/ABZ)
Thursday | 01 September 2022
The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation's (Europol) failure to deal with two requests for public access to documents
Tuesday | 05 July 2022
How the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) deals with complaints about alleged fundamental rights breaches through its 'Complaints Mechanism'
Wednesday | 08 June 2022
Letter from the European Ombudsman to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) concerning its Complaints Mechanism
Wednesday | 08 June 2022
Letter from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to the European Ombudsman on its action plan in relation to the European Ombudsman’s suggestions
Wednesday | 08 June 2022
Letter from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to the European Ombudsman on how it deals with complaints about alleged fundamental rights breaches through its 'Complaints Mechanism'
Wednesday | 08 June 2022
Report on the meeting of the European Ombudsman's inquiry team with FRONTEX representatives
Wednesday | 08 June 2022
Decision in OI/5/2020/MHZ on the functioning of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency's (Frontex) complaints mechanism for alleged breaches of fundamental rights and the role of the Fundamental Rights Officer
Wednesday | 08 June 2022
The Ombudsman opened an inquiry on her own initiative to look into how the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) deals with alleged breaches of fundamental rights through its ‘complaints mechanism’, and to address the role and independence of Frontex’s Fundamental Rights Officer in this regard.
In the context of a previous inquiry, the Ombudsman recommended the creation of an independent mechanism for handling complaints about Frontex operations. The complaints mechanism was approved by the EU legislators, and became operational in 2016.
Through the complaints mechanism, Frontex deals with complaints from individuals who believe their fundamental rights have been violated in the context of Frontex operations. The Fundamental Rights Officer’s role is to deal directly with complaints about the actions of Frontex staff members, as well as to ensure that complaints about the staff of national authorities involved in Frontex operations are dealt with properly by the relevant authorities.
This inquiry aimed to assess how Frontex has implemented new rules concerning the complaints mechanism and the Fundamental Rights Officer, which came into force in November 2019. It also sought to assess the overall effectiveness of the complaints mechanism, against a background of public concerns about fundamental rights violations in the context of Frontex operations.
Since its creation, the complaints mechanism has dealt with a very low number of complaints, with no complaints as yet concerning the actions of Frontex staff members. Between 2016 and January 2021, the Fundamental Rights Officer had received 69 complaints of which 22 were admissible. With operations made up of staff members from different bodies, who are responsible to different authorities, it may be difficult for potential complainants to identify the alleged perpetrators and to understand how and to whom they can report alleged violations, and seek redress through the appropriate channels.
In this inquiry, the Ombudsman also reviewed complaints dealt with by the complaints mechanism and identified various potential shortcomings that may make it more difficult for individuals to report alleged fundamental rights violations and seek redress. The Ombudsman’s inquiry also identified delays by Frontex in implementing its new obligations concerning the complaints mechanism and the Fundamental Rights Officer.
Based on the inquiry, the Ombudsman sets out a series of suggestions for improvement to Frontex, with a view to improving the accessibility of the complaints mechanism for potential victims of fundamental rights violations and strengthening the accountability of Frontex operations and all those involved therein. These include suggestions on how to make it easier for potential victims of fundamental rights violations to be aware of redress possibilities and to report incidents, as well as suggestions to improve how complaints are handled and followed up on.
The European External Action Service's refusal of public access to documents concerning the EU's Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories
Wednesday | 09 March 2022