On Wednesday 11 September, the General Court of the European Union handed down a judgment in case T-793/22, concerning an accredited parliamentary assistant (APA) at the European Parliament.
The assistant had denounced cases of harassment and financial irregularities involving an MEP. Following his reports, he was transferred to the responsibility of another deputy, then relieved of his duties without his contract being renewed. He challenged these decisions before the General Court, alleging lack of protection as an informant and reprisals.
The European Parliament, for its part, justified its actions by stating that the discharge from duties was a sufficient measure to protect the assistant and that it was not necessary to grant him additional protection.
In addition, the Parliament did not renew the assistant’s contract, citing the relationship of trust required between a parliamentary assistant and the MEP he was assisting, while rejecting any request for compensation.
The General Court of the European Union partially annulled this decision, ruling that the Parliament had not taken all the necessary measures to ensure effective protection of the assistant against possible reprisals.
By simply relieving him of his duties without further action, and by revealing his status as an informant without authorisation, Parliament failed in its duty to protect. The General Court ordered the Parliament to pay the assistant €10,000 for the non-material damage suffered.
See the judgment: https://aeur.eu/f/dec (in French) (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)