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Summary: The European Ombudsman acts as an intermediary between the citizen and the institutions of the European Union. He or she is entitled to receive and investigate complaints from EU citizens, businesses and organisations, and from anyone residing or having their registered office in an EU country. The position is held by Mr P Nikiforos Diamandouros who was re-elected in January 2010 for a five-year term.
The position of European Ombudsman was created by the Treaty on European Union (Maastricht) in 1992. The Ombudsman is elected by the European Parliament for a renewable term of five years, which corresponds to Parliament's legislative term.
The job entails investigating claims of maladministration in EU institutions,that may involve failure to act in accordance with the law, failure to respect the principles of good administration, or the violation of human rights. Examples include:
- Unfairness
- Discrimination
- Abuse of power
- Lack of information or refusal to provide it
- Unnecessary delay
- Incorrect procedures.
The Ombudsman carries out investigations and follows up complaints, independently and impartially. The Ombudsman does not accept or request instructions from any government or organisation.
How to lodge a complaint.
You should contact the EU institution through the normal administrative channels and try to get it to put the situation right. If that approach fails, you can complain to the European Ombudsman. You must make your complaint within two years of the date on which you became aware of the act of maladministration. You must clearly state who you are, which institution you are complaining about and what problem is about. You may ask for the complaint to kept confidential.
What result may you expect?
If the Ombudsman cannot deal with your complaint, for example if it has already been the subject of court case, he or she will advise on which other body may be able to help. However if the Ombudsman can help the sequence of actions is as follows:
To resolve your problem, the Ombudsman may simply need to inform the institution or body concerned. If the problem is not cleared up as a result of the enquiries, the Ombudsman will try to find a friendly solution which puts the matter right and satisfies you.
If this fails, the Ombudsman can make recommendations to resolve the issue. If the institution concerned does not accept the recommendations, the Ombudsman can make a special report to the European Parliament so that it can take whatever political action is necessary.
Every year the Ombudsman presents a report to the European Parliament.
For more information visit http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu