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Ms Kövesi Appointed European Chief Prosecutor
After the decision by the Conference of Presidents (EP President David Sassoli and political group leaders) on 17 October 2019, Ms Laura Codruţa Kövesi is the first European Chief Prosecutor. She can now start her seven-year mandate. The Council endorsed the nomination on 14 October … Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
European Public Prosectutor's Office (EPPO)
Conference Highlights Need for Strong AFCOS in Candidate Countries
Governments must “give law enforcement and public administration the tools they need to detect and to prosecute fraudsters,” said OLAF Director-General Ville Itälä at the annual conference of Anti-Fraud Coordination Services (AFCOS) in reference to EU candidate and potential candidate countries. The conference was … Read more
EU
OLAF
Protection of Financial Interests
Spanish Supreme Court Backs OLAF’s Findings on Tuna Customs Fraud
On 6 August 2019, OLAF reported that the Spanish Supreme Court confirmed the findings of OLAF investigations on evaded customs duties with regard to tuna imports from El Salvador. OLAF had investigated allegations of irregularities in tuna exports from El Salvador into the European Union, … Read more
EU
OLAF
OLAF Report 2018
On 3 September 2019, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) released its annual report for 2018. The key figures for 2018 are:OLAF concluded 167 investigations;OLAF issued 256 recommendations to the relevant national and EU authorities;As a result of the investigations concluded in … Read more
EU
OLAF
ECA: Use of Information Systems for Border Control Can be More Efficient
The EU’s information systems in the field of internal security supporting border controls are well designed; however, more efforts are needed to ensure completeness and timely entry of the data. This is the main outcome of the European Court of Auditor’s special report No 20/2019 … Read more
EU
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Commission: Croatia Ready for Schengen
On 22 October 2019, the Commission issued a Communication in which it confirmed that Croatia meets all necessary conditions for accession to the Schengen area. The Commission also confirmed that Croatia fulfilled commitments undertaken within the framework of the accession negotiations that are also relevant … Read more
EU
Schengen
Self-Assessment Reports on EU Code of Practice on Disinformation
In October 2018, the industry agreed on a self-regulatory EU Code of Practice to address the spread of online disinformation and fake news. The signatories recognised the objectives outlined in the Commission Communication “Tackling online disinformation ‒ a European approach” of April 2018. This … Read more
EU
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Spotlight 20th Progress Report on Security Union
The EU achieved progress in fighting terrorism, stepping up information exchange, countering radicalisation, preventing violent extremism, and addressing cybersecurity; however, further efforts are needed. This is the main message of the “20th progress report towards an effective and genuine Security Union” that was … Read more
EU
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
New Eurobarometer: Strong Increase in Citizens’ Positive Perception of the EU
A new Eurobarometer survey was released on 5 August 2019. It shows a strong general increase in citizens’ positive perception of the European Union. The survey was conducted by means of 27,464 face-to-face interviews in the 28 Member States and five candidate countries in June … Read more
EU
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
New LLM Programme “European Criminal Justice in a Global Context” at Utrecht University
In the next academic year, the Utrecht Law School is starting a new master LLM programme. The programme focuses on the role of criminal justice systems in a Europeanized and internationalized legal environment, including enforcement and applicable human rights and constitutional standards. The content focuses … Read more
EU
Hungary and Poland Impede Conclusions on Rule-of-Law Evaluation
Hungary and Poland blocked the adoption of Council conclusions on evaluation of the rule-of-law dialogue. The rule-of-law dialogue was established in 2014. It consists of a structured dialogue between the Commission and Member States that disrespect the rule of law and the Annual Dialogues on … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Rule of Law
Schengen
Council
Commission Refers New Disciplinary Regime for Polish Judges to CJEU
After Poland failed to address the Commission’s concerns about the new disciplinary regime for Polish judges, set out in the reasoned Opinion of the Commission of 17 July 2019 (see eucrim 2/2019, pp. 81-82), the Commission referred the case to the European Court of … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
European Court of Justice (ECJ)
AG: References against Disciplinary Proceedings against Polish Judges at Ordinary Courts Inadmissible
On 24 September 2019, Advocate General Tanchev proposed that references for a preliminary ruling of two Polish district courts voicing doubt as to the compatibility of the new disciplinary regime introduced in Poland via judicial reforms in 2017 with Art. 19(1) subpara. 1 TEU should … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
European Court of Justice (ECJ)
CJEU: Polish Retirement Rules at Ordinary Court Level Contrary to EU Law
On 5 November 2019, the Grand Chamber of the CJEU declared that another issue of the Polish justice reform was not in line with EU law. After having ruled on 24 June 2019 that lowering the retirement age of the Supreme Court judges is contrary … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
European Court of Justice (ECJ)
CJEU Rules on Independence of Poland’s Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court
In its judgment of 19 November 2019, the Grand Chamber of the CJEU established criteria under which the new Disciplinary Chamber of the Polish Supreme Court can be considered independent and impartial. The judgment is based on a reference for a preliminary ruling brought by … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
European Court of Justice (ECJ)
Council Updates EU Guidelines Against Torture and Ill-Treatment
On 16 September 2019, the Council adopted revised Guidelines on EU policy towards third countries on torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. The purpose of the Guidelines is to provide practical guidance to EU institutions and Member States, which can be … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Human Rights Issues