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GRECO: The Link between Environmental Crimes and Corruption
On 8 December 2023, in the run-up to the annual International Anti-Corruption Day, GRECO President Marin Mrčela issued a statement in which he highlighted the links between environmental crimes (e.g., illegal forestry, illegal fishery, illegal wildlife trade, illegal mining, illegal dumping, and illegal transport of … Read more
Dr. András Csúri
Council of Europe
Corruption
Environmental Crime
GRECO: Fifth Round Evaluation Report on Portugal
On 10 January 2024, GRECO presented its 5th round evaluation report on Portugal. GRECO acknowledges the extensive anti-corruption legal and institutional framework developed by Portugal, made possible by transparency and anti-corruption legislative packages introduced in 2019 and 2021. These include the following:A national … Read more
Council of Europe
Corruption
GRECO: Fifth Round Evaluation Report on USA
On 12 December 2023, GRECO published its 5th Round Evaluation Report on the United States. The country joined GRECO in 2000 and has already been assessed in four evaluation rounds. According to GRECO, the USA implemented 100% of recommendations in the First Evaluation Round (June … Read more
Council of Europe
Corruption
2024 Update on Ne Bis In Idem Case Law
In February 2024, Eurojust published an updated edition of its overview of the CJEU case law on the ne bis in idem principle in criminal matters under Art. 50 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and Arts. 54 to 58 of … Read more
Cornelia Riehle LL.M.
EU
Eurojust
Ne bis in idem
JIT in Ukraine Prolonged
At the end of February 2024, the seven national authorities (Lithuania, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine) participating in the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on alleged core international crimes in Ukraine decided to prolong the JIT for two more years - until 25 March … Read more
Ukraine conflict
Eurojust
Spotlight New Legal Framework on Digitalisation of Judicial Cooperation
A new regulation on the digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation and access to justice and of an accompanying directive will facilitate electronic communication in the context of cross-border judicial cooperation procedures in civil, commercial and criminal matters. It comes in the context of the e-Justice Strategy for the years 2024 to 2028 that aims at speeding up the digitalisation process and the use of digital services in the justice area. Read more
Dr. Anna Pingen
Thomas Wahl
EU
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Legislation
Judicial Cooperation
Commission Reviewed Adequacy Decisions under Data Protection Directive
On 15 January 2024, the Commission published its review of 11 existing adequacy decisions. The Commission's report marks the first assessment of the functioning of adequacy decisions for eleven countries and territories (Andorra, Argentina, Canada for commercial operators, Faroe Islands, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Israel, … Read more
EU
Data Protection
How to Involve the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC in a JIT
On 13 February 2024, Eurojust published a factsheet explaining the ways in which the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC-OTP) may be involved in Joint Investigation Teams (JITs). The flyer explains the steps to be taken to formally include the Office … Read more
EU
Eurojust
Judicial Cooperation
LockBit Ransomware Disrupted
After a month-long operation, law enforcement officers from 10 countries, together with agents from Europol and Eurojust, compromised and took control of LockBit's primary platform and other crucial infrastructure belonging to the cybercriminal group's ransomware operation. The work of the international taskforce "Operation Cronos … Read more
EU
Europol
Eurojust
Cybercrime
Heroin and other Opioids Flood EU Drug Market
The threat posed by heroin and other opioids to the EU are analysed in a report published by Europol and the EMCDDA on 24 January 2024. According to the report, opioid use remains a major part of the drug problem in Europe. While heroin is … Read more
EU
Europol
Organised Crime
Enhancing Schengen Security: Commission's Recommendation
On 17 January 2024, Commission Recommendation (EU) 2024/268 on cooperation between the Member States with regard to serious threats to internal security and public policy in the area without internal border controls was published in the Official Journal (2024/268). The recommendation advocates for a collaborative … Read more
EU
Schengen
Commission
Law Enforcement Cooperation
Bulgaria and Romania Join Schengen Area
On 30 December 2023, the Council reached a unanimous decision with Bulgaria and Romania to eliminate air and maritime internal border controls as of 31 March 2024, marking their partial integration into the Schengen area. Read more
EU
Schengen
Threats to Key Freedoms: New EP Report on Situation of Fundamental Rights in the EU
The EP's annual fundamental rights report for 2022-2023 finds threats to key freedoms and EU values, notably media freedom, corruption and individual liberties. Specific recommendations were made for Hungary, Poland, Greece, Cyprus, and Spain. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
European Parliament
Racism and Xenophobia
Spotlight Generative AI and Copyright Law
Eurojust's report on "Generative Artificial Intelligence - The impact on intellectual property crimes" looks at how criminals utilise generative AI to violate various intellectual property rights. It gives insights into modi operandi, examines ongoing cases and outlines attempts to regulate the use of generative AI in the field of intellectual property. Read more
EU
Eurojust
Counterfeiting & Piracy
Spotlight ECJ: EAW Must in Principle Also Be Executed against a Mother of Young Children
On 21 December 2023, the ECJ, sitting in for the Grand Chamber, ruled in Case C-261/22 (GN) that the surrender of a person requested by a European Arrest Warrant cannot be refused on the sole ground that she is the mother of young children. Thus, the ECJ reaffirmed its case law on the protection of fundamental rights in the context of Framework Decision 2002/584 on the European arrest warrant. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
European Arrest Warrant
High Level Group on Data Access Criticised
An open letter of 10 January 2024, signed by 21 digital rights and civil society organisations, criticised the current working arrangements of the High Level Group on Access to Data for Effective Law Enforcement (HLEG). It calls on the HLEG to ensure transparency, participation, … Read more
EU
Law Enforcement Cooperation
Police Cooperation