European Ombudsman Seeing the future more clearly: adapting to thrive Use of own-initiative powers 

Strategy – towards 2019

How best to serve 500 million European citizens?

New focus on strategic investigations New mechanism for own-initiative inquiries Identify key problems in EU administration Strategic investigations of systemic importance Use full scope of EO’s powers

Strategic investigations Use limited resources for maximum impact in the interest of the public Focus on strategic own-initiative investigations (e.g. lobbying transparency) Identify key problems in EU administration Use full scope of EO’s powers (OIIs, access to all EU documents) Only do what others cannot do

TTIP transparency TTIP transparency Concerns about key documents not being disclosed, alleged granting of privileged access July ‘14: EO opened investigations against Council and Commission Oct. ‘14: Council published negotiating directives Nov. ’14: Commission announced broader access to TTIP documents Jan. ‘15: EO welcomes these steps, but makes 10 recommendations on how to further increase TTIP transparency

TTIP transparency Oct: Council publishes the EU negotiating directives 2014: EO calls on COM and Council to publish more TTIP documents and details of meetings with stakeholders 6000 replies to public consultation Oct: Council publishes the EU negotiating directives COM publishes more position papers, factsheets, legal texts Jan’15: concrete proposals to make TTIP negotiations more transparent (no US veto, consolidated texts, meetings with lobbyists, agendas, minutes) Final EO analysis published this week

EU cohesion policy investigation Cohesion funds: 350 billion EUR for 2014-2020 Commission has to act on violation of fundamental rights, even if it does not directly manage funds Feedback from ombudsmen, civil society organisations EO finalised guidelines to Commission this week

Main concerns Disability and child protection: funds are being used to build large institutions instead of community-based facilities Roma population: inappropriate programmes are being implemented Civil society organisations complain about not being invited as partners for the national agreements How can civil society report problems to the Commission, what is the follow-up? Are national redress mechanisms efficient and effective?

Possible guidelines to the Commission Raise awareness in the Member States (training, technical support, etc.) Focus efforts on preventive measures, to ensure that Member States comply with the Charter from the outset Assess the success of EU financed programmes according to how they contribute to promoting respect for fundamental rights Verify that national redress mechanisms are efficient Use sanctions when Member States do not fulfil their obligations with regard to fundamental rights Create a transparent framework in which civil society can contribute to the Commission's supervisory role

The Ombudsman and Frontex EU in shock about recent tragedies in the Mediterranean Frontex plays an important role as it coordinates EU border security with Member States EO looks into how Frontex is complying with human rights standards Special report about Frontex’ refusal to establish complaints mechanism Now in the EP

Forced returns of migrants Frontex coordinates joint return flights of rejected asylum seekers (JROs) to their home countries Since 2006: More than 13 000 people Ombudsman commends Frontex’ work to date but submits proposals on how to improve JROs More transparency as regards individual JROs, monitors’ reports, complaint procedures in EU and third countries Improve JRO Code of Conduct as regards medical examinations, use of force, human rights training for escorts Special treatment of pregnant women and children Stronger engagement with the Member States

The European Citizens’ Initiative Own-initiative finalised in March 2015 Including public consultation Eleven proposals for the Commission on how to strengthen the role that ECIs play in democratic political debate at the European level

Proposals for the Commission Better guidance for ECI organisers Stronger involvement of the EP and the Council More pressure on Member States so that all EU citizens can sign an ECI, regardless of where they reside Explain rejections of ECIs better Explain political choices as regards follow-up to ECIs that have obtained one million signatures better Improve online collection system software Improve quality checks to ensure that funding and sponsorship information are correct

Expert groups investigation Commission relies on advice of hundreds of expert groups for legislation and policy Concerns about lack of balanced representation of interests and appointment of members "in a personal capacity" Public consultation: 60 contributions received from trade unions, business organisations, civil society organisations, individuals Separate investigation on DG AGRI’s 14 "civil dialogue groups"

Ombudsman proposals Legally binding framework for all expert groups Definition of what balanced representation in different groups should look like Reduce potential conflict of interest situations (background checks, CVs) Publish more information about the work of the groups (agendas, minutes)

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