Parliamentary Ombudsman participates in the European Network of Ombudsmen meeting in Brussels

Parliamentary Ombudsman participates in the European Network of Ombudsmen meeting in Brussels

Published November 21, 2025

The Parliamentary Ombudsman, Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, participated in this year’s European Network of Ombudsmen (ENO) meeting in Brussels, organised by the European Ombudsman under the theme Upholding a rights-based Europe. The conference brought together national and regional ombudsmen, EU institutions and subject experts to discuss the protection of citizens’ rights in an evolving European landscape.

In her keynote address, the European Ombudswoman, Teresa Anjinho, highlighted the scale of challenges facing Europe, including geopolitical instability, social inequalities, climate impacts and rising pressures on democratic institutions. She underlined that ombudsman offices are positioned at the centre of these issues because they handle complaints linked to everyday concerns such as housing, healthcare, education, discrimination and administrative fairness. She stressed that ENO remains vital for sharing experience and ensuring that citizens’ rights under EU law are respected across all Member States.

She also emphasised that ENO must evolve further to remain effective. After almost three decades, ENO is planning a renewed strategic direction focused on strengthening cooperation, improving the use of joint tools such as parallel inquiries, and reinforcing the community of practice among ombudsman institutions. She encouraged members to reflect on the future of ENO and to continue fostering independence, accountability and fairness in public administration.

The discussions focused on current challenges affecting the rights of EU citizens, the enforcement of EU law, and the evolving responsibilities of oversight institutions, in eight specific workshops. Judge Zammit McKeon moderated the workshop dedicated to environmental complaints and also took part in the workshop examining how to prevent the fragmentation of rights protection across the EU.

Workshop 1: Practical barriers for intra EU mobility

Moderated by Prof Marcin Wiącek, Ombudsman of Poland, with Inés Ibáñez de Maeztu Izaguirre, Acting Ombudswoman of the Basque Country, as rapporteur. The session addressed obstacles faced by EU citizens who move to another Member State, such as delays in recognising qualifications or obtaining healthcare reimbursements.

Workshop 2: Challenges and opportunities of monitoring EU law compliance

Moderated by Maija Sakslin, Deputy Parliamentary Ombudsman of Finland, with Tena Simonović Einwalter, Ombudswoman of Croatia, as rapporteur. The session analysed how ombudsmen oversee the application of EU law and the strengths of different national models.

Workshop 3: Preserving ombudsmen independence in challenging times

Moderated by Dr Erika Leonaitė, Parliamentary Ombudsperson of Lithuania, with Prof Renate Weber, Romanian Ombudsman, as rapporteur. The workshop addressed institutional independence, mandate protection and the safeguards required to conduct investigations without interference

Workshop 4: Sharing ombudsmen experience in environmental complaints

Moderated by Judge Joseph Zammit McKeon, Parliamentary Ombudsman of Malta, with Dr Dijana Možina Zupanc, Deputy Human Rights Ombudsman of Slovenia, as rapporteur. Participants shared national experiences on environmental complaints and the role of ombudsmen in ensuring proper enforcement of environmental obligations.

Workshop 5: Oversight of semi-private and semi-public administration

Moderated by Velislava Deltcheva, Ombudsman of Bulgaria. The workshop explored the growing involvement of private entities in public service delivery and the related oversight implications.

Workshop 6: Preventing the fragmentation of the protection of citizens’ rights

Moderated by Ger Deering, Ombudsman of Ireland, with Christian Britten Lundblad, Parliamentary Ombudsman of Denmark, as rapporteur. The discussion focused on ensuring consistent levels of rights protection for EU citizens regardless of where they live.

Workshop 7: The evolving role of ombudsmen in migration and asylum complaints

Moderated by Daniel Agacinski, General Delegate for Mediation (Defender of Rights, France), with Vít Alexander Schorm, Deputy Public Defender of Rights of the Czech Republic, as rapporteur. The workshop examined new responsibilities that will arise under the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Workshop 8: Regulatory simplification and its impact on rights protection

Moderated by Ülle Madise, Chancellor of Justice of Estonia, with Jérôme Aass, Federal Ombudsman of Belgium, as rapporteur. Participants discussed how regulatory simplification can support efficiency while still safeguarding procedural rights.

Established in 1996, the ENO links the European Ombudsman with national and regional ombudsmen and the European Parliament’s Committee on Petitions. It remains an essential platform for coordinated action to protect citizens’ rights under EU law.

Judge Zammit McKeon was accompanied by Mr Paul Borg, Director General, and Mr Jurgen Cassar, Head of Communications and Research.