The European Ombudsman: Defending Democracy and Human Rights Amidst the Crisis in Ukraine

Abstract

The European Ombudsman is appointed to combat cases of European "maladministration" with regard to European citizens. He is seen as the promoter of good Community administration, with a concern for transparency in the democratic and institutional functioning of Europe, involving citizens as directly as possible. A survey of the main minutes and decisions taken by the European network of ombudsmen (May 2022 - October 2023) following Russia's invasion of Ukraine reveals three major issues on which the Ombudsman is establishing himself as a soft power institution within the European Union: the reception of refugees within the European Union, the transparency of the EU Council's decision-making process in relation to sanctions against Russia, and participation, through his referral, in monitoring Ukraine's progress in terms of democracy, the rule of law and the fight against corruption.