DOCSLIB.ORG

Download This Publication in PDF Format (3.66

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Download This Publication in PDF Format (3.66 QK-AA-07-001-EN-C ISSN 1680-3809 THE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN THE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN THE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN INVESTIGATES COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE INSTITUTIONS AND BODIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION THE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN THE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN AND HIS PERSONNEL annual report 2006 www.ombudsman.europa.eu ISBN 978-92-9212-090-0 ,!7IJ2J2-bcajaa! EN annual report 2006 THE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN EUROPEAN THE annual report 2006 © The European Ombudsman 2007 All rights reserved. Reproduction for educational and non-commercial purposes is permi ed provided that the source is acknowledged. All photographs, unless otherwise indicated, are copyright of the European Ombudsman. Front cover: © iStockphoto.com/urbancow The full text of the report is published on the internet at: h p://www.ombudsman.europa.eu Printed in Belgium PRINTED ON WHITE CHLORINE-FREE PAPER T HE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN P. N IKIFOROS DIAMANDOUROS Prof. Dr. Hans-Gert PÖTTERING MEP Strasbourg, 12 March 2007 President European Parliament Rue Wiertz 1047 Brussels BELGIQUE Mr President, In accordance with Article 195(1) of the Treaty establishing the European Community and Article 3(8) of the Decision of the European Parliament on the Regulations and General Conditions Governing the Performance of the Ombudsman’s Duties, I hereby present my Report for the year 2006. Yours sincerely, s P. Nikiforos Diamandouros The European Ombudsman 1, avenue du Président Robert Schuman – B.P. 403 – F-67001 STRASBOURG Cedex ☎ : +33 (0)3.88.17.23.13 – Fax : +33 (0)3.88.17.90.62 http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu – [email protected] ANNUAL REPORT 2006 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 15 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 21 2 COMPLAINTS AND INQUIRIES 35 2.1 THE LEGAL BASIS OF THE OMBUDSMAN’S WORK 35 2.2 THE MANDATE OF THE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN 35 2.2.1 Complaints and own-initiative inquiries ......................................................................................................... 36 2.2.2 Community institutions and bodies .................................................................................................................. 36 2.2.3 “Maladministration” ............................................................................................................................................. 37 2.2.4 The European Code of Good Administrative Behaviour .............................................................................. 38 2.3 ADMISSIBILITY AND GROUNDS FOR INQUIRIES 39 2.4 ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS EXAMINED IN 2006 39 2.5 TRANSFERS AND ADVICE 40 2.6 THE OMBUDSMAN’S PROCEDURES 42 2.6.1 Starting an inquiry ................................................................................................................................................ 43 2.6.2 Fair procedure ......................................................................................................................................................... 43 2.6.3 Inspection of the fi les and hearing of witnesses ............................................................................................. 43 2.6.4 Open procedure ...................................................................................................................................................... 43 2.7 THE OUTCOMES OF INQUIRIES 44 2.7.1 No maladministration ........................................................................................................................................... 44 2.7.2 Cases se led by the institution and friendly solutions ................................................................................. 44 2.7.3 Critical remarks and dra recommendations ................................................................................................... 44 2.7.4 Special reports to the European Parliament ..................................................................................................... 45 7 CONTENTS ANNUAL REPORT 2006 2.8 DECISIONS CLOSING CASES IN 2006 45 2.8.1 Openness, public access and the protection of personal data ....................................................................... 46 2.8.2 The Commission as guardian of the Treaty ...................................................................................................... 48 2.8.3 Tenders, contracts and grants .............................................................................................................................. 49 2.8.4 Personnel ma ers ................................................................................................................................................... 51 2.8.5 Other ma ers .......................................................................................................................................................... 52 3 DECISIONS FOLLOWING AN INQUIRY 57 3.1 CASES WHERE NO MALADMINISTRATION WAS FOUND 57 3.1.1 The European Parliament ..................................................................................................................................... 57 FAILURE OF PARLIAMENT TO REQUEST CLARIFICATIONS REGARDING A TENDER SUBMISSION ...................................................................... 57 3.1.2 The European Commission .................................................................................................................................. 58 DELAY IN DEALING WITH THE MERITS OF AN ARTICLE 226 COMPLAINT ................................................................................................................... 58 THE COMMISSION’S ASSESSMENT OF THE SPANISH LEGISLATION REGARDING THE BROADCASTING OF BULL FIGHTING SHOWS .... 58 TERMINATION OF CO-OPERATION BASED ON LONG-STANDING ARRANGEMENTS ............................................................................................... 59 SELECTION OF EXPERTS UNDER THE SIXTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME .................................................................................................................. 60 CANCELLATION OF FUNDING FOR STANDARDISATION WORK ..................................................................................................................................... 60 ALLEGED VIOLATION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS TO A TRANSLATION PROGRAM .......................................................................... 61 3.1.3 The Court of Justice of the European Communities ....................................................................................... 62 CONTRACT NOTICE FOR TRANSLATION SERVICES ............................................................................................................................................................. 62 3.1.4 The European Personnel Selection Offi ce ......................................................................................................... 63 ALLEGEDLY INACCURATE EVALUATION OF COMPETITION TESTS ............................................................................................................................... 63 NON-ADMISSION TO A SELECTION TEST ................................................................................................................................................................................ 64 OBLIGATION TO APPLY FOR ONLY ONE OF THREE PARALLEL COMPETITIONS ........................................................................................................ 64 ASSESSMENT OF A CANDIDATE’S REPLY TO A TEST QUESTION ...................................................................................................................................... 65 ALLEGEDLY POOR ORGANISATION OF AN OPEN COMPETITION ................................................................................................................................... 66 3.1.5 The European Investment Bank ......................................................................................................................... 66 REFUSAL TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON POSSIBLE FINANCING OF A PROJECT IN A CANDIDATE COUNTRY ............................................. 66 3.1.6 The European Anti-Fraud Offi ce ......................................................................................................................... 67 ALLEGED FAILURE TO REPLY TO A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................. 67 3.2 CASES SETTLED BY THE INSTITUTION 68 3.2.1 The European Parliament ..................................................................................................................................... 68 ACCESS TO AN ARTICLE IN THE “EP NEWSHOUND” .......................................................................................................................................................... 68 3.2.2 The European Commission .................................................................................................................................. 68 REFUSAL TO PAY OUTSTANDING SALARY AND INTEREST ............................................................................................................................................... 68 REPLY IN A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE TO A JOB APPLICATION ........................................................................................................................................... 69 DELAY IN PAYMENT OF A TOWN TWINNING GRANT ......................................................................................................................................................... 69 8 ANNUAL REPORT 2006 CONTENTS 3.2.3 The European Commission
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The European Social Dialogue the History of a Social Innovation (1985-2003) — Jean Lapeyre Foreword by Jacques Delors Afterword by Luca Visentini
    European Trade Union Institute Bd du Roi Albert II, 5 1210 Brussels Belgium +32 (0)2 224 04 70 [email protected] www.etui.org “Compared to other works on the European Social Dialogue, this book stands out because it is an insider’s story, told by someone who was for many years the linchpin, on the trade unions’ side, of this major accomplishment of social Europe.” The European social dialogue — Emilio Gabaglio, ETUC General Secretary (1991-2003) “The author, an ardent supporter of the European Social Dialogue, has put his heart and soul into this The history of a social meticulous work, which is enriched by his commitment as a trade unionist, his capacity for indignation, and his very French spirit. His book will become an essential reference work.” — Wilfried Beirnaert, innovation (1985-2003) Managing Director and Director General at the Federation of Belgian Enterprises (FEB) (1981-1998) — “This exhaustive appraisal, written by a central actor in the process, reminds us that constructing social Europe means constructing Europe itself and aiming for the creation of a European society; Jean Lapeyre something to reflect upon today in the face of extreme tendencies which are threatening the edifice.” — Claude Didry, Sociologist and Director of Research at the National Centre of Scientific Research (CNRS) Foreword by Jacques Delors (Maurice Halbwachs Centre, École Normale Supérieure) Afterword by Luca Visentini This book provides a history of the construction of the European Social Dialogue between 1985 and 2003, based on documents and interviews with trade union figures, employers and dialogue social European The The history of a social innovation (1985-2003) Jean Lapeyre European officials, as well as on the author’s own personal account as a central actor in this story.
    [Show full text]
  • Decision of the European Ombudsman in Case 268/2021/VS Against the European Commission in Relation to a Procedure to Renew the Approval of an Active Substance
    European Ombudsman Decision of the European Ombudsman in case 268/2021/VS against the European Commission in relation to a procedure to renew the approval of an active substance Decision Case 268/2021/VS - Opened on 05/03/2021 - Decision on 05/03/2021 - Institution concerned European Commission ( No maladministration found ) | Dear Mr X, On 8 February 2021, you submitted a complaint to the European Ombudsman on behalf of your client. The complaint concerns the European Commission’s conduct in a procedure to renew the approval of an active substance. We identified the following concerns in your complaint. You contend that: 1. The Commission failed to consider your requests to mandate the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to evaluate a population modelling report. 2. The Commission refused to take into account an October 2020 study, which your client brought to the Commission’s attention on 30 November 2020. You consider that the Commission should immediately suspend the relevant regulatory procedure and request EFSA, as risk assessor, to take into account all eco-toxicological and human health data in the assessment of the substance. After a careful analysis of all the information submitted to us, our assessment is as follows. As a preliminary remark, we note that the substance of your complaint relates to an alleged error by EFSA in conducting its risk assessment. In particular, you are concerned that EFSA did not take into account certain studies that you consider relevant. Your complaint is, however, against the Commission. As such, the Ombudsman examined your concern as to whether the Commission provided adequate replies to the points that your client raised with it.
    [Show full text]
  • Des Émirats À La Conquêtedu Ciel
    0123 8 | dossier MARDI 9 JUIN 2015 Un A380 de la compagnie Emirates, à Dubaï. BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES Des émirats guy dutheil rois sœurs contre trois sœurs. En mars, American Airlines, United et Delta, les trois plus importantes compagnies aé- à la conquête du ciel riennes américaines, ont bru- talement mis les pieds dans le Tplat. Rapport à la clé, elles ont dénoncé la concurrence, qualifiée de déloyale, de leurs Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airlines… En moins rivales venues du Golfe : Emirates, Qatar toriques » européennes et leurs rivales asia- Airways et Etihad. En colère, elles brandis- de dix ans, les compagnies du Golfe tiques sont loin derrière, avec respective- sent leur réquisitoire de 55 pages, aboutisse- ment 16 % et 11 % de parts de marché. ment de deux années d’enquête, qui prou- ont conquis le tiers du mar ché long-courrier verait que les « trois sœurs » du Golfe auraient bénéficié de 42 milliards de dollars entre l’Europe et l’Asie, et s’attaquent Une croissance considérable (environ 37,2 milliards d’euros) de subven- désormais à l’Amérique. Les acteurs Et le fossé ne cesse de se creuser, au point tions publiques. de sembler désormais insurmontable. Les L’ire des compagnies américaines a été historiques hurlent à la concurrence déloyale trois groupes proche-orientaux « ont un notamment provoquée par les velléités taux de croissance considérable », constate, d’expansion de leurs rivales d’Abou Dhabi, mi-admiratif mi-catastrophé, un cadre diri- du Qatar et de Dubaï. Après l’Europe et geant d’une grande compagnie européenne. l’Asie, les compagnies du Golfe visent désor- Elles sont même en plein boom.
    [Show full text]
  • The Basic Law at 60 - Equality and Difference: a Proposal for the Guest List to the Birthday Party
    University of Michigan Law School University of Michigan Law School Scholarship Repository Articles Faculty Scholarship 2010 The aB sic Law at 60 - Equality and Difference: A Proposal for the Guest List to the Birthday Party Susanne Baer University of Michigan Law School, [email protected] Available at: https://repository.law.umich.edu/articles/33 Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.law.umich.edu/articles Part of the Civil Rights and Discrimination Commons, Comparative and Foreign Law Commons, Constitutional Law Commons, and the Law and Gender Commons Recommended Citation Baer, Susanne. "The asicB Law at 60 - Equality and Diffeernce: A Proposal for the Guest List to the Birthday Party." German L. J. 11 (2010): 67-87. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Faculty Scholarship at University of Michigan Law School Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Articles by an authorized administrator of University of Michigan Law School Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Basic Law at 60 - Equality and Difference: A Proposal for the Guest List to the Birthday Party By Susanne Baer A. Introduction This birthday gives rise to many considerations. Some reflect upon achievements - the German constitution, named "Basic Law", has proven to work although many did not believe in it when it was framed. Others emphasize desiderata. Sabine Berghahn commented at the 50th birthday that it has developed "far too slowly and [some] has even gone completely wrong." ' Jutta Limbach, former President of the Federal Constitutional Court, observed that constitutional history was "anything but regal, but very difficult and full of obstacles.
    [Show full text]
  • Labor Markets Occasional Paper.Pmd
    Labor Law, Policy and Mobility: Europe at the Crossroads Jonas Malmberg Jan Ottosson and Lars Magnusson Sandrine Henneron Foreword by Johan Lembke Occasional Paper July 2006 Labor Law, Policy and Mobility: Europe at the Crossroads Jonas Malmberg Jan Ottosson and Lars Magnusson Sandrine Henneron Foreword by Johan Lembke Published by: © European Union Center of Excellence, 2006 Annenberg Presidential Conference Center Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77843-1245 Tel: +1.979.862. 6701 Fax: +1.979.862 .6705 Email: [email protected] Production: Lucero Carranza © All rights reserved. We would like to acknowledge the generous support of the European Commission to this publication. Table of Contents Foreword by Johan Lembke ....................................................................... i Labor Law in The Economic and Social Union of Europe ............................................................................................ 1 Bridging The Gap Between Policy And Markets? Two Methods of Policy Coordination ......................................... 17 Economic Growth in Europe Through Free Movement of Labor? ....................................................................... 34 About the Authors ....................................................................................... 48 i Foreword Johan Lembke An increasingly integrated, competitive and dynamic world economy and external pressures from the current wave of economic globalization – connected to advances in information and communication technology, globally
    [Show full text]
  • Esporta Għal
    European Ombudsman Decision of the European Ombudsman on complaint 1949/2003/(TN)(IJH)TN against the European Commission Decision Case 1949/2003/TN - Opened on 04/11/2003 - Decision on 24/05/2004 Summary of decision on complaint 1949/2003/(TN)(IJH)TN against the European Commission The complaint concerned alleged non-payment for services carried out on the instructions of the Statistical Office of the European Communities (Eurostat), which is a service of the Commission. The complainant had carried out a Global Assessment of the statistical system in Kazakhstan on Eurostat's instructions. The contracts were formally concluded with the organisation CESD-Communautaire, but the terms of reference were laid down by, and all the reporting was made to, Eurostat. Eurostat approved the complainant's work report in August 2003, but the complainant had not yet been paid at the time of submitting his complaint in October 2003. The complainant suspected that due to problems within Eurostat, its payments to CESD-Communautaire had been blocked. The complainant alleged that the Commission had failed to ensure payment for the services he had provided in accordance with Eurostat's instructions in relation to certain contracts. The complainant claimed that he should receive the outstanding payment for his services. In its opinion submitted in January 2004, the Commission underlined that it had no contractual relationship with the complainant. According to the Commission, CESD-Communautaire could at the time still submit invoices to it in the framework of the contracts concerned. The invoices submitted by CESD-Communautaire for the complainant up to the date of the Commission's opinion to the Ombudsman had been paid without delay to CESD-Communautaire's bank account on 29 December 2003.
    [Show full text]
  • Decision in Case 624/2018/TE on How The
    European Ombudsman Decision in case 624/2018/TE on how the European Commission dealt with a request for access to a list of meetings with stakeholders on the Japan-EU Free Trade Agreement Decision Case 624/2018/TE - Opened on 17/04/2018 - Decision on 17/04/2018 - Institution concerned European Commission ( No maladministration found ) | The case concerned a request for access to a list of meetings between the Commission and stakeholders on the Japan-EU Free Trade Agreement. EU access to documents rules only apply if the requested documents are in the possession of the institution concerned. The Commission rejected the request on the grounds that it has not drawn up such a list. In addition, it stated that it would be a disproportionate administrative burden to create such a list. The Ombudsman was satisfied with the Commission’s explanation for not having such a list and agreed that it was not required to create one. She therefore closed the inquiry with a finding of no maladministration. Background to the complaint 1. The complainant is a civil society organisation based in Brussels. 2. On 7 December 2017, the complainant requested [1] public access to “ a list of meetings of DG Trade officials and/or representatives (including the Commissioner and the Cabinet) and stakeholders, including trade unions, civil society groups, as well as representatives of individual companies, industry associations, law firms, public consultancies and think tanks in which the Japan-EU Free Trade Agreement (JEFTA) was discussed (between January 2017 and today) ”, in line with the EU’s rules for public access to documents [2] .
    [Show full text]
  • Athlete Consent As a Legal Base for Data Transfers to Third Countries for Anti-Doping Purposes, Under EU and German Law
    Int Sports Law J (2017) 17:68–85 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40318-017-0112-9 ARTICLE Athlete consent as a legal base for data transfers to third countries for anti-doping purposes, under EU and German law Jacob Kornbeck1 Published online: 11 August 2017 Ó T.M.C. Asser Instituut 2017 Abstract This article aims to discuss athlete consent as a inter alia, of a valid legal base, including but not limited to legal base for data transfers to third countries for anti- the consent of the data subject (in this case: the athlete doping purposes, under EU and German law, including by concerned) or a specific legal (statutory) provision. As this summarising the legal relevance of international anti-dop- paper will show, the choice of legal base is of particular ing requirements and expectations. It presents the most importance in relation to transfers to third countries for salient features of enforceable EU and national German anti-doping purposes. The challenges involved will be data protection law, so as to arrive at an assessment of the discussed with reference to EU and German law. The relevant merits of the use of athlete consent. comparative analysis aims to identify the relative merits of athlete consent (the traditionally preferred legal base in the Keywords Anti-doping Á Data protection Á International anti-doping community) as opposed to statutory provision. data transfers Á Lawfulness Á European Union Á Germany While this article will maintain a focus on athlete consent, the intention is, in a future article, to perform a similar analysis regarding statutory provision.
    [Show full text]
  • Cultural Heritage in Poland
    Santander Art and Culture Law Review 2/2017 (3): 319-342 DOI: 10.4467/2450050XSNR.17.017.8435 CULTURAL HERITAGE IN POLAND Olgierd Jakubowski* [email protected] National Institute for Museums and Public Collections ul. Goraszewska 7 02-910 Warsaw, Poland The Threat to Cultural Heritage from Crime in Poland: 2016 Cases Abstract: Various methods of risk assessment can be deployed when examining the phenomenon of crime against cultural herit- age. Annual data concerning instances of particular crimes involv- ing cultural assets as well as case studies allow us to understand the trends in the activities of the perpetrators and help to develop methods of prevention. This article presents selected data as well as cases of offences discovered or committed in Poland in 2016, based on the statistics provided by the police, Customs Service, and Border Guard. It also presents data on final convictions of per- petrators of such acts. As part of the annual cycle of analysis, the developments illustrate the trends and risks to monuments and cultural assets in a given year. This complementary presentation of information about the threat to cultural heritage is important for research and policy-making aimed at developing strategies for its protection. * Olgierd Jakubowski is Chief Expert at the National Institute for Museums and Public Collections in Warsaw, where he is responsible for export licensing and cooperation with police and customs. Olgierd is currently a member of the European Commission’s working groups on the export and import of cultural goods. In Poland, he is the coordinator of the Internal Market Information System module with regard to the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of an EU Member State.
    [Show full text]
  • Προς Μια Συμπεριληπτικη Ευρωπαϊκη Πολιτοτητα Towards an Inclusive European Citizenship
    ΠΡΟΣ ΜΙΑ ΣΥΜΠΕΡΙΛΗΠΤΙΚΗ ΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΗ ΠΟΛΙΤΟΤΗΤΑ TOWARDS AN INCLUSIVE EUROPEAN CITIZENSHIP Σειρά: ΔΙΚΑΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΚΕΣ ΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΕΣ Διεύθυνση σειράς: Ασπασία Ι. Τσαούση Εκδόσεις ΠΑΠΑΖΗΣΗ ΑΕΒΕ ΠΡΟΣ ΜΙΑ ΣΥΜΠΕΡΙΛΗΠΤΙΚΗ ΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΗ ΠΟΛΙΤΟΤΗΤΑ Επιμέλεια: Λίνα Παπαδοπούλου - Δέσποινα Αναγνωστοπούλου ISBN: 978-960-02-3549-4 Copyright © Αύγουστος 2019: Eκδόσεις ΠAΠAZHΣH AEBE Nικηταρά 2 & Eμμ. Mπενάκη, 106 78 Aθήνα Tηλ.: 210-38.22.496, 210-38.38.020 Fax: 210-38.09.150 site: www.papazisi.gr e-mail: [email protected] Υποκατάστημα Θεσσαλονίκης Σιατίστης 7, 54 631 Τηλ.: 2310 227410 e-mail: [email protected] Εκτύπωση-Βιβλιοδεσία: grafima med!a | creat!ve | pr!nt Λ. Ελευθερίας 29 (Αμφιθέας), Άλιμος Τ.Κ. 174 55 Τηλ. Kέντρο: 210 72 51 600, Fax: 210 72 51 605 grafimaprint.gr Απαγορεύεται η μερική ή ολική αναδημοσίευση του έργου αυτού, καθώς και η αναπαραγωγή του με οποιο δήποτε μέσο χωρίς σχετική άδεια του Εκδότη Σειρα: ΔΙΚΑΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΚΕΣ ΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΕΣ ΠΡΟΣ ΜΙΑ ΣΥΜΠΕΡΙΛΗΠΤΙΚΗ ΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΗ ΠΟΛΙΤΟΤΗΤΑ Επιμέλεια: Λίνα Παπαδοπούλου – Δέσποινα Αναγνωστοπούλου ΚΕΝΤΡΟ ΑΡΙΣΤΕΙΑΣ JEAN MONNET ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟΥ ΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΙΑΣ «ΕΡΕΥΝΑ ΣΤΑ ΚΡΙΣΙΜΑ ΘΕΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΗΣ ΟΛΟΚΛΗΡΩΣΗΣ» ΠΡΑΚΤΙΚΑ ΔΙΕΘΝΩΝ ΣΥΝΕΔΡΙΩΝ: Ρατσισμός και Ξενοφοβία στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση (10.6.2016) Ενίσχυση Δικαιωμάτων Ευρωπαίων Πολιτών (27.4.2017) Ασφάλεια και Ισότητα στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση (20.4.2018) Η υποστήριξη της Ευρωπαϊκής Επιτροπής στην παραγωγή της παρούσας έκδοσης δεν συνιστά αποδοχή του περιεχομένου, το οποίο αντικατοπτρίζει αποκλειστικά τις απόψεις των συντακτών, και η Επιτροπή δεν μπορεί να αναλάβει
    [Show full text]
  • Transatlantic Tensions on Data Privacy
    THE TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONSHIP AND THE FUTURE GLOBAL GOVERNANCE ISSN 2281-5252 WORKING PAPER 19 | APRIL 2013 The paper analyses simila- It also argues that while Eu- rities and differences ropean policy preferen- between US and ces in the field have European regu- been more glo- latory policy bally influential in the field of than US pre- data priva- Transatlantic ferences, the cy. It shows latter have that US re- also shaped gulation in Tensions the outco- the field mes of the is not uni- former, re- formly we- on Data Privacy sulting in a aker than transatlantic European co-produc- regulation. tion of norms. Lee A. Bygrave Transworld is supported by the SEVENTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME Transatlantic Tensions on Data Privacy Lee A. Bygrave* United States European Union Data privacy Regulatory policy Introduction This paper focuses on US and European regulatory policies in the field of data privacy. These policies concern, at bottom, information processing and the infrastructure for such processing. Protection of human rights plays a key role in the field. Rules on data privacy specifically govern the processing of data relating to persons (i.e., personal data) in order to protect, at least partly, the privacy and related interests of those persons. In Europe, such norms tend to be described as “data protection”. Outside Europe, including the USA, they are often described in terms of protecting “privacy” or “information privacy” (Bygrave 2010:166). As elaborated further below, significant elements of these norms are formally grounded in human rights, particularly the right to privacy. Thus, human rights and accompanying doctrine provide a central normative basis for data privacy law, while much of the latter can be seen as both an expression and specialised branch of the former.
    [Show full text]
  • Request for Defence of the Immunity of Witold Tomczak
    6.8.2009 EN Official Journal of the European Union C 184 E/111 Tuesday 19 February 2008 Request for defence of the immunity of Witold Tomczak P6_TA(2008)0048 European Parliament decision of 19 February 2008 on the request for defence of the immunity and privileges of Witold Tomczak (2007/2130(IMM)) (2009/C 184 E/20) The European Parliament, — having regard to the request by Witold Tomczak for defence of his immunity in connection with the criminal case conducted by the District Court in Ostrów Wielkopolski, Poland, made on 21 May 2007, announced in plenary sitting on 24 May 2007, — having heard Witold Tomczak on 4 October 2007 in accordance with Rule 7(3) of its Rules of Procedure, — having regard to Articles 8, 9 and 10 of the Protocol of 8 April 1965 on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Communities and Article 6(2) of the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, — having regard to the judgments of 12 May 1964 and 10 July 1986 ( 1 ) of the Court of Justice of the European Communities, — having regard to Article 105 of the Polish Constitution, — having regard to Rules 6(3) and 7 of its Rules of Procedure, — having regard to the report of the Committee on Legal Affairs (A6-0008/2008), A. whereas Witold Tomczak was elected to the Sejm (the lower house of the Polish Parliament) on 21 September 1997 and on 23 September 2001; whereas after the signature of the Accession Treaty on 16 April 2003 he became an Observer; whereas he was a Member of the European Parliament from 1 May 2004 until 19 July 2004; whereas he was elected to the European Parliament on 13 June 2004 and his term of office in the Polish Parliament expired on 16 June 2004, B.
    [Show full text]