31.12.2021

Independent Monitoring Authority reflects on first year in operation

From
Our updates ,

The Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements (IMA) has demonstrated it is prepared to take action where there is evidence of a systemic breach of EU and EEA EFTA citizens’ rights as it marks its first year in operation.

The organisation, which was established at 11pm on 31 December 2020 to monitor public bodies in the UK and Gibraltar to ensure they are upholding citizens’ rights, has resolved several issues where their rights under the Withdrawal and Separation Agreements were at risk of being breached.

Some of this work has included:

The IMA also published its first Annual Plan setting out its objectives earlier this year.

The IMA encourages citizens and their family members who believe their rights are not being upheld to make them aware of this through their online portal.

Dr Kathryn Chamberlain, IMA Chief Executive said:

“During our first year in operation we have demonstrated that we are prepared to take action where there is evidence of a systemic breach of EU and EEA EFTA citizens’ rights.

“While the IMA does carry out work based on its own initiative, we rely on having sufficient information to support the action we take. This is why it is crucial that eligible citizens who feel their rights aren’t being upheld report this to us via our complaints portal.

“Over the course of the coming years, it remains my hope that most issues can be resolved swiftly by working effectively with public bodies. We will continue to raise awareness of our work so that EU and EEA EFTA citizens and their family members can exercise their rights as they did before the UK left the EU.”