All strategic inquiries

The Ombudsman carried out an own-initiative inquiry to look into how the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) complies with its fundamental rights obligations and ensures accountability in relation to its new enhanced responsibilities. The inquiry sought to clarify matters relating to the accountability of Frontex 'joint operations', notably with regard to activities related to 'return...

The Ombudsman launched an own-initiative inquiry to examine the transparency of meetings between the European Commission and representatives of the tobacco industry, as well as to assess how the Commission complies with the relevant provisions of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of the World Health Organization. As a first step, the Ombudsman sought to inspect certain documents held by ...

The Ombudsman conducted an inquiry on her own initiative into the decision of the European Defence Authority (EDA) to allow its former Chief Executive to take up two senior positions with Airbus, an aerospace company. The Ombudsman’s inquiry also looked into how the EDA dealt with the fact that the former Chief Executive took up his new positions before the EDA had authorised him to do so, which i...

The Ombudsman opened an own-initiative inquiry to look into how the European Commission monitors that European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds are used to promote the right of persons with disabilities and older persons to independent living. As a signatory of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), the EU is committed to promoting the right to independent liv...

As a follow-up to her previous inquiry on how the European Commission manages ‘revolving doors’, the Ombudsman has launched an own-initiative inquiry into how the Commission handles revolving doors situations of staff members who apply to take up an outside activity while on unpaid leave on personal grounds, and (senior) staff members who apply for approval to take up an activity after leaving the...

In the context of wider strategic work on the response of the EU administration during the COVID-19 crisis, the Ombudsman has also been examining the work of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). This included a particular focus on how the ECDC has been gathering and assessing the data that underpins its work. The Ombudsman's inquiry highlighted shortcomings in how the dat...

In the context of wider strategic work on the response of the EU administration during the COVID-19 crisis, the Ombudsman examined the work of the Council of the EU. In particular, the Ombudsman assessed the decision by the Council to derogate, temporarily, from its Rules of Procedure during the crisis, and the implications this has had for its decision-making process and the transparency thereof....

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 ‘complainants mechanism’, and to address the role and independence of Frontex’s Fundamental Rights Officer in this regard. The inquiry uncovered delays by Frontex in implementing its new obligations concerning the ...

Transparency of the bodies involved in preparing Eurogroup meetings.

2 December 2019 - Euro area Member States have improved public access to decision making following a request by the Ombudsman to Eurogroup President Mário Centeno. Under the changes, the draft agendas of the Eurogroup meetings will be published earlier in advance than previously and the letter summarising the meetings will be more detailed. Also, the dates of the Euro Working Group meetings will b...