The European Ombudsman, Jacob Söderman, has transferred a complaint he received on behalf of the Spanish political party, Izquierda Unida, to the European Parliament to be dealt with as a petition. It concerns the rights of European citizens, in particular freedom of movement, in relation to upcoming EU meetings in Spain.

The complainant is concerned about the threats posed to these rights by the security measures to be adopted by the Spanish government during its Presidency of the EU. These measures are aimed at ensuring the security of the meetings.

Mr. Gaspar Llamazares, co-ordinator of Izquierda Unida, asked the Ombudsman to take the necessary measures to guarantee the right of freedom of movement, freedom of expression and freedom to demonstrate. As the complaint concerns the Spanish national authorities - and is therefore outside the mandate of the Ombudsman - Mr. Söderman has transferred the complaint to the President of the Parliament, Mr. Cox.

 

For further information, please call José Martinez-Aragon, Principal Legal Officer, tel: +33 (0) 3 88 17 24 01.