News
News found: 2120 of 2120
Application of Code of Conduct Countering Illegal Hate Speech Online Positive
On 19 January 2018, the Commission released the results of the third evaluation of the Code of Conduct on countering illegal online hate speech. The overall assessment is rather positive since, on average, IT companies removed 70% of all illegal hate speech notified to them … Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
Racism and Xenophobia
Public Consultation to Establish First Worldwide “Counterfeit and Piracy Watch List”
On 31 January 2018, the European Commission launched a survey that seeks input from stakeholders to identify online and physical marketplaces outside the EU where counterfeiting, piracy, or other forms of intellectual property abuse are common practice. The results of the stakeholder consultation are to … Read more
EU
Legislation
Counterfeiting & Piracy
JHA Council Adopts General Approach on New Law Combating Non-Cash Payment Fraud
At its meeting on 9 March 2018, the Justice Ministers of the EU Member States endorsed a general approach on new legislation regarding the fight against fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment. The proposal for a directive was tabled by the Commission on … Read more
EU
Non-Cash Means of Payment
Council Softens EU List of Tax Haven Countries
At its meeting on 23 January 2018, the Economic and Financial Council removed eight jurisdictions from the EU’s list of non-cooperative countries for tax purposes. The removal ensued because of commitments at a high political level that address certain EU concerns. The eight … Read more
EU
Money Laundering
Tax Evasion
EU and Norway Foster Administrative Cooperation to Combat VAT Fraud
On 6 February 2018, the Council and Norway signed an agreement designed to strengthen administrative cooperation in order to combat fraud and recover claims in the field of VAT.The main objective is to close a gap in control of the VAT chains used by … Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
Chairs of New TAX3 Special Committee
On 22 March 2018, the new special committee on financial crimes, tax evasion, and tax avoidance (TAX3) held its first meeting at which it appointed a Chair and four Vice Chairs.- Through acclamation, Petr Ježek (CZ, ALDE), former co-rapporteur for the PANA Committee, became … Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
Next Round in the Fight against Financial Crime, Tax Evasion, and Tax Avoidance
On 1 March 2018, MEPs decided to set up a new special committee for financial crime, tax evasion, and tax avoidance (TAX3).The objective is to continue the work of the TAXE 1 and TAXE 2 special committees (as decided by the European Parliament … Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
MEPs Disagree on Blacklisting of “High-Risk Countries”
In mid-December 2017 − in line with its custom of following the lead of the international Financial Action Task Force (FATF) − the Commission decided to include Tunisia, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad & Tobago to its blacklist, sparking controversy within the EP. On 7 February … Read more
EU
Money Laundering
Trilogue Negotiations on Planned Directive to Counter Money Laundering by Means of Criminal Law
On 17 January 2018, the European Parliament paved the way for the start of trilogue negotiations between MEPs, the Council, and the Commission as regards the legislative proposal for a directive on countering money laundering by means of criminal law. The mandate for MEPs was … Read more
EU
Money Laundering
New “Microfinancing” Approach to Combat Terrorist Financing
On 1 March 2018, MEPs adopted recommendations (by 533 votes to 24, with 43 abstentions) on how to deal with terrorist financing. They were submitted to the Council, the Commission, and the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security … Read more
EU
Money Laundering
Country Factsheets on Attitudes towards Corruption
On 20 February 2017, the European Commission published country-specific factsheets to supplement the latest Eurobarometer surveys (nos. 457 and 470) on public attitudes towards corruption. The factsheets contain breakdowns of key results by Member State, comparing them with results from previous surveys as well as … Read more
EU
Corruption
Malta to Join EPPO?
At the JHA Council meeting on 9 March 2018, Malta expressed interest in joining the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Malta is the second EU Member State that may join the new EU scheme designed to effectively combat EU fraud, after 20 EU Member States already … Read more
EU
European Public Prosectutor's Office (EPPO)
EPPO – First Implementation Measures Launched
On 23 February 2018, the Bulgarian Council Presidency released information about the state of play regarding preparations for implementing the EU Regulation of October 2017 establishing the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. The following preparatory measures so far are the most notable:Appointment of the interim … Read more
EU
European Public Prosectutor's Office (EPPO)
EPPO – Implementation Phase Started
At their informal meeting in Sofia on 26 January 2018, the Ministers for Justice discussed the next steps in successful implementation of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). After having finalised the legal framework in October 2017 (see eucrim 3/2017, pp. 102-104), it … Read more
EU
European Public Prosectutor's Office (EPPO)
OLAF and Guardia di Finanza Detect Large-Scale Fraud in the EU’s Research and Innovation Fund
On 16 February 2018, OLAF reported a successful strike against an intricate fraud scheme that siphoned off more than €1.4 million from the EU’s Research and Innovation fund. An Italian-led consortium set up the fraud scheme, with alleged partners in France, Romania, and the UK. … Read more
EU
OLAF
Convictions for Large-Scale Tobacco Smuggling
On 20 March 2018, a criminal court in Turin, Italy sentenced several individuals to prison, seized their assets, and ordered them to pay over €150 million to the Italian customs and tax authorities. It is the provisional end (the judgment is subject to appeal) of … Read more
EU
OLAF