Editing European Ombudsman (section)

== Main subjects of action ==
The main mission guiding the European Ombudsman's work is the "right to good administration" that is recognised as a human right in the EU.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Demiret |first=Demokaan |date=2001 |title=The Role of the European Ombudsman in Good Administration |journal=Aeupeaj |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=127}}</ref> The European Ombudsman helps citizens, companies and associations that face problems with EU administration. The main areas of inquiries of the European Ombudsman relate to the transparency of EU administration; transparency and accountability in EU decision-making; lobbying transparency; ethical issues; fundamental rights; recruitment into the EU civil service; and citizen participation in EU decision-making.

=== Transparency and the right of access EU documents ===
Complaints concerning a lack of transparency are the most common category of complaints received by the European Ombudsman, representing around 30% of complaints. They are mainly related to the refusal of EU institution(s) to grant documents upon a citizen's request. This right of citizens to access EU documents is enshrined in Articles 42 of the [[Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union|Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU]] and Article 15 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EUR-Lex - 12008E015 - EN |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:12008E015:en:HTML |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=Official Journal |volume=115 |date=9 May 2008 |pages=54–55 |language=EN}}</ref> In case a citizen is prevented from accessing the documents they requested, they can turn to the European Ombudsman for help.

=== Lobbying transparency ===
The European Ombudsman works to ensure that the EU's democratic decision-making process is characterised by the highest transparency standards. Special attention is given to how interest groups engage with and try to influence the EU institutions. Lobbying transparency is one of the main topics of action at the European Ombudsman, and through various strategic initiatives, the Ombudsman tries to mitigate potential conflicts of interest. 

=== Ethical issues ===
Ethics related complaints to the European Ombudsman include potential [[Conflict of interest|conflicts of interest]] as well as "revolving doors" situations, where someone working in the public sector moves to a closely related job in the private sector. The European Ombudsman has argued that the EU administration must meet with "gold standards when it comes to ethical behaviour".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=European Ombudsman |date=2015 |title=Annual Report 2014 |url=https://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/publication/en/59959 |website=European Ombudsman}}</ref>

=== Fundamental rights ===
A key part of European Ombudsman work is to ensure that EU institutions respect fundamental rights. For example, the Ombudsman has dealt with inquiries related to the rights of persons with disabilities and the treatment of migrants.

=== Citizen participation ===
In its role as a moderator and bridge between citizens and the EU institutions, the European Ombudsman also promotes citizens' participation and involvement in European politics by, for example, demanding greater transparency so that citizens can follow the proceedings, or by promoting the implementation of more participatory decision-making processes.