Söderman labels EU ‘negative’ over rights charter

Date: 28/03/02

By Martin Banks

EUROPEAN Union institutions have been accused of being 'openly negative' towards implementing the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

The charter, agreed by EU leaders at the Nice summit in December 2000, states that Union bodies should not discriminate in their employment policies on grounds of age, race or gender.

But in his annual report, European Ombudsman Jacob Söderman has accused the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council of Ministers of failing to put the charter into effect.

Far from implementing the charter, the institutions have been 'openly negative' towards it and their inaction amounts to a 'slap in the face' for democracy, says the Ombudsman.

Strasbourg-based Söderman said: 'The heads of the Commission and Parliament declared that the charter should be followed. In reality, however, this has not yet been followed by deeds. It is simply not being implemented on a day-to-day basis.

'There have been claims that the Charter should be included in a possible European constitution but, in my opinion, there is no point in giving legal status to a text if it is not intended to be put into practice.'

In his report, he also criticises the Commission for failing to introduce a law on good administration.

He says that one of the highlights of 2001 was the adoption by the Parliament of the European Code of Good Administrative Behaviour.

He has repeatedly called on the Commission to propose a European administrative law based on the code.

Söderman says: 'So far, the Commission has failed to present a proposal, much to my disappointment. These kinds of laws on good administration exist in almost all member states with the aim of promoting good relations between the citizens and the administration.

'It is hard, therefore, to see what valid reasons the Commission could have to take such a cautious position on this matter.'

Söderman is due to present the report to the committee on petitions at the Strasbourg plenary on 8 April.

Meanwhile, he has welcomed measures announced by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) to avoid the use of 'improper' language in dealing with complaints from EU citizens.

The organisation now proposes to avoid repetition of inappropriate wording when replying to such complaints.

'I am very happy that CEDEFOP responded so quickly and constructively to my inquiry and am convinced that their unfortunate use of inappropriate language is behind us,' he said.

European Union institutions have been accused by the European Ombudsman of being 'openly negative' towards implementing the Charter of Fundamental Rights.