PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 27 March 2025
The International Federation for Rights and Development (IFRD) has formally called on the Secretariat of the EU Transparency Register to enforce stricter measures obliging all lobbying organisations to disclose all meetings held with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and representatives of the European Commission.
In a letter sent today, IFRD CEO Gamaal El Attar stressed the urgent need for stronger interim transparency mechanisms until the long-awaited EU Ethics Body is fully operational.
“Transparency must not wait. Every meeting between lobbyists and policymakers should be a matter of public record,” said Gamaal El Attar. “The European public deserves to know who is influencing EU decisions — and how.”
While the Transparency Register currently offers a voluntary framework for disclosure, IFRD insists that voluntary mechanisms are no longer sufficient in the face of growing concerns about opaque lobbying practices.
IFRD’s appeal comes at a critical time, as citizens across the EU demand greater accountability and ethical conduct in EU institutions, especially in the lead-up to the 2024 European elections and amidst growing scrutiny of lobbying practices affecting EU foreign policy and human rights.
The organisation urges immediate action to bolster transparency, prevent undue influence, and protect the democratic integrity of EU policymaking.
