Commission follows Ombudsman's advice to replace chair of ethical committee

The European Commission has an ethical committee that supervises Commissioners when they wish to accept jobs in the private sector. Four NGOs complained about a conflict of interest concerning a former senior Commission official appointed to head the committee. He was working for a major law firm, among whose clients were a tobacco company. The Commission accepted the Ombudsman's advice and appointed a new chair to head the Committee.

http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press/release.faces/en/52900/html.bookmark

Ombudsman solves EUR 93 000 dispute between Commission and NGO

A French NGO coordinated and successfully implemented EU-funded research and technology projects in Russia. The European Commission contested its method of working and asked it to repay EUR 93 000. The Ombudsman considered the repayment order as disproportionate and unfair. The Commission finally followed his recommendation and cancelled the debit notes.

http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press/release.faces/en/50453/html.bookmark

Commission discloses documents on UK opt-out of Charter of Fundamental Rights

When the EU was negotiating the Treaty of Lisbon, the UK's wish to opt out of areas of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU was a major issue. An NGO complained about the Commission's refusal to disclose documents it had drafted in this context. The Commission finally followed the Ombudsman's recommendation and released the documents.

http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press/release.faces/en/49424/html.bookmark

President of ECB's membership of "Group of Thirty" compatible with his role

This case concerned the European Central Bank's President's membership of the "Group of Thirty", which discusses important international developments. An NGO complained to the Ombudsman that the President's membership of this group undermined the ECB's independence. The Ombudsman concluded that membership of the "Group of 30" and leadership of the ECB are compatible.

http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press/release.faces/en/49140/html.bookmark

Commission was entitled to host same-sex photo exhibition

The European Commission hosted a photo exhibition on same-sex couples. A citizen complained to the Ombudsman that the Commission had exceeded its powers because the EU does not have competence in the fields of marriage, family, and assisted reproduction. The Ombudsman, however, agreed with the Commission that it has a legal obligation to combat discrimination, including on the grounds of sexual orientation, and was therefore entitled to host the exhibition.

http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press/release.faces/en/50824/html.bookmark

Ombudsman advises Commission to clarify rules on dialogue with religious and non-religious organisations

The European Humanist Federation asked the Commission for a discussion on European employment rules relating to churches. The Commission declined, giving respect for the status of churches as its reason. The Ombudsman failed to see how engaging in a discussion on this issue could call this status into question and asked the Commission to establish clear guidelines on its dialogue with religious and non-religious organisations.

http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press/release.faces/en/49137/html.bookmark