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News found: 2390 of 2390
Spotlight ECJ Ruled on Fundamental Rights Test for Surrenders to the United Kingdom
On 29 July 2024, the ECJ delivered an important judgment on the conditions under which surrender of a person can be granted by a EU Member State to the United Kingdom (UK). The Court interpreted the fundamental rights clause enshrined in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the European Union and the United Kingdom and held that the surrender mechanism under the TCA differs from the one provided by the EU’s Framework Decision on the European Arrest Warrant. Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
Fundamental Rights
Brexit
European Arrest Warrant
Judicial Cooperation
General Court Ruled on Necessary Protective Measures for Whistleblower in the EP
In a judgment of 11 September 2024, the General Court (GC) strengthened the rights of whistleblowers who brought to light incidents within European institutions. The GC clarified the scope of protective measures to be provided by the institution. Read more
EU
European Parliament
OLAF
Victim Protection
ECJ: Criminally Prosecuted Minors Must Have Lawyer’s Assistance during First Police Questioning
In its judgment of 5 September 2024, the ECJ ruled that several provisions of the Polish Code of Criminal Procedure and legal practices are incompatible with the rights of minors charged with a criminal offence. The Court particularly blamed the Polish police for not having guaranteed the assistance by a lawyer during the first questioning of the minor and for not having him adequately informed of his rights. Read more
Council of Europe
Procedural Safeguards
Eurobarometer: Citizens and Businesses Remain Concerned over Corruption
On 24 July 2024, in parallel to its 2024 Rule of Law Report (→ related link), the Commission released the results of two Eurobarometer surveys on the perception of corruption in the EU:Special Eurobarometer 548 - Citizens’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024); … Read more
EU
Corruption
Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law Report
On 24 July 2024, the Commission published its 5th Rule of Law Report. The Rule of Law Report includes 27 country chapters and examines developments – both positive and negative – across all EU Member States in four key areas for the rule of … Read more
Dr. Anna Pingen
EU
Rule of Law
Commission
GRECO Concerned About Corruption Situation in Slovakia
After a high-level visit to Slovakia on 26 September 2024, GRECO voiced concerns over the lack of process in the country’s fight against corruption. GRECO stated that Slovakia has largely not complied with GRECO’s recommendations from the 5th evaluation round addressing the prevention of corruption … Read more
Council of Europe
Corruption
Over 100 Companies Commit to EU AI Pact
On 25 September 2024, the European Commission announced that over 100 companies have signed the EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Pact, committing to voluntary pledges to promote trustworthy and safe AI development ahead of the AI Act's full application. The signatories include multinational corporations and European … Read more
EU
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
General Court Ruled on Irregularities by Former EU Auditor
On 11 September 2024, the General Court (GC) ruled for the first time on the legality of procedures of the European Court of Auditors (ECA) and OLAF vis-à-vis alleged irregularities committed by a former ECA member.The GC largely upheld the ECA’s decision on the … Read more
EU
OLAF
Protection of Financial Interests
AG Gives Opinion on EAW Competing with Extradition Request
On 5 September 2024, Advocate General (AG) Nicholas Emiliou presented his opinion in case C-763/22 (Procureur de la République v OP). The case concerns the conditions under which EU Member States may decide on the competition between a European Arrest Warrant and … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
European Arrest Warrant
Judicial Cooperation
Europol Intensifies Cooperation with the ICC
Europol and the International Criminal Court (ICC) signed two further legal instruments on 18 September 2024, implementing their working arrangement of 25 April 2023 (→eucrim 1/2023, 22-23). The new Liaison Officer Agreement allows the ICC to nominate a liaison officer to Europol. In … Read more
Cornelia Riehle LL.M.
EU
Europol
Frontex Signs Agreement with UNHCR
On 17 September 2024, Frontex and the UNCHR (the UN Refugee Agency) signed an agreement to strengthen their cooperation on border management and humanitarian protection across Europe. The agreement allows the two organisations to exchange information and expertise to promote and support effective border management. … Read more
EU
Frontex
New Directive to Strengthen Anti-Human Trafficking
On 24 June 2024, a new Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims was published in the Official Journal. The Directive considerably amends and modifies the 2011 anti-trafficking Directive. Read more
EU
Legislation
Trafficking in Human Beings
First Operation with Ameripol
In the first ever joint operation between Europol and the Specialised Cybercrime Centre of Ameripol (an organisation for police cooperation in the Americas, currently made up of 33 police forces in 27 countries), an international criminal network was dismantled that had been running a phishing-as-a-service … Read more
EU
Europol
Cybercrime
Spotlight Council of Europe Convention on Artificial Intelligence
On 5 September 2024, the first-ever, international, legally-binding instrument on Artificial Intelligence (AI) was opened for signature by the Council of Europe (CoE). The CoE’s “Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence” provides a common baseline to ensure that activities within the lifecycle of AI systems are fully consistent with human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Read more
Council of Europe
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Legislation
GRECO: Fifth Round Evaluation Report on Italy
On 28 August 2024, GRECO published its 5th Round Evaluation Report on Italy. The report addressed the effectiveness of the framework in place in Italy as regards the prevention of corruption among persons with top executive functions (PTEFs), and corruption prevention in law enforcement … Read more
Council of Europe
Corruption
Spotlight 35th Annual PIF Report
On 25 July 2024, the European Commission adopted the 35th Annual Report on the protection of the European Union’s financial interests and the fight against fraud in 2023 (PIF Report). The irregular amounts related to fraud cases increased to €585.8 million (+103% compared to 2022). Read more
EU
Protection of Financial Interests