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GRECO: Fifth Round Evaluation Report on Norway
GRECO published its fifth round evaluation report on Norway. The country’s citizens are highly satisfied with services and institutions, administrative corruption and petty bribery are almost non-existent. GRECO found, however, some corruption-related challenges, such as close networks and conflicts of interest. Read more
Dr. András Csúri
Council of Europe
Corruption
ECA: Deficiencies in Customs Control Hamper EU’s Financial Interests
Customs controls in the EU still considerably differ as a result of which the protection of the EU’s financial interests is hampered, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) stated in its Special Report 04/21 of 30 March 2021. Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
Protection of Financial Interests
Customs Cooperation
Spotlight FRA Report on Presumption of Innocence and Right to Be Present – More Needs to Be Done in Practice
On 31 March 2021, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) presented its findings on how the rights to be presumed innocent, to remain silent and to be present at trial – as specifically spelled out in Directive 2016/343 – are applied in practice. The report is based on interviews with 123 legal practitioners in nine EU Member States. The FRA report stressed that problems in implementing the EU safeguards still persist. Read more
EU
Procedural Safeguards
Commission Implementation Report on Presumption of Innocence Directive
In a report dated 31 March 2021, the Commission points out that key provisions of Directive 2016/343 on the presumption of innocence have been inadequately implemented in a number of EU Member States. Major deficiencies relate to the prohibition of public references to guilt and to the right not to incriminate oneself. Read more
EU
Procedural Safeguards
EU Leaders Give Guidance on EU’s Digital Transformation
The EU must enhance its digital sovereignty in a self-determined and open manner, said EU leaders at the video conference of the European Council on 25 March 2021. The Council is invited to swiftly examine the Commission’s Communication on the 2030 Digital Compass (→ … Read more
EU
Legislation
Data Protection
AG Gives Opinion on Compatibility of Romanian Constitutional Court Decisions Involving PIF Obligations
AG Bobek provides his opinion in cases where the compatibility of findings of the Romanian Constitutional Court with EU law (including the protection of the EU's financial interests) are to be assessed. The cases were referred to the CJEU by the Romanian supreme court and a Romanian instance court. The AG considers the reference only partly successful. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Protection of Financial Interests
Hungary: Update on Recent Rule-of-Law Developments
This news item outlines the main rule-of-law developments in Hungary related to Union law. It continues the ongoing overview provided in previous eucrim issues. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Rule of Law
Poland: Continued Update on Rule-of-Law Developments
This news item continues the last update provided in December 2020 on the rule-of-law situation in Poland as far as it relates to European law. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Rule of Law
Plans to Regulate AI Technology Enabling Biometric Mass Surveillance under Fire
In an open letter to the Commission, civil society organisations call on the Commission to take a clear stance in favour of a ban to admit biometric mass surveillance technologies in the EU. Read more
EU
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Legislation
Spotlight ECtHR: EAW Cannot be Automatically Executed
On 25 March 2021, the ECtHR delivered a landmark judgment, in which it sets out the level of fundamental rights protection by the ECHR in cases of execution of European Arrest Warrants. Read more
Council of Europe
EU
Fundamental Rights
European Arrest Warrant
CJEU: Convictions of Third Countries Executed in EU Member States Can Be Subject of an EAW
The CJEU decided on 17 March 2021 that, under certain circumstances, also convictions from third countries (here: Norway) may be subject to an EAW of an EU Member State which recognised the criminal judgment. Read more
EU
European Arrest Warrant
Transfer of Sentenced Persons
Council Adopts Amendments to Administrative Tax Cooperation Directive
On 22 March 2021, the Council adopted amendments to Directive 2011/16/EU on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation. The amendments aim at improving administrative tax cooperation and countering tax fraud/tax evasion. Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
OLAF Supports Successful Raids against Counterfeiters
On 30 March 2021, OLAF informed the public about successful raids in Belgium and Germany against counterfeiters. Supported by OLAF, a raid in a warehouse in Antwerp, Belgium brought to light hundreds of counterfeit sports shoes and textiles with premium labels. Over €25,000 in cash … Read more
EU
OLAF
Counterfeiting & Piracy
EU-LISA Input in Research and Innovation Funding for IT Systems in AFSJ
On 16 March 2021, the Commission (DG Home) and eu-LISA, (the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice) agreed on “Terms of Reference” that will strengthen collaboration in the development of research and … Read more
EU
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Launch of New EU Import Control System – ICS2
On 15 March 2021, the Commission launched a new import control system to improve the protection of the Customs Union against security threats posed by the illegal movement of goods at the EU’s external borders. The new system is a core project intended to implement … Read more
EU
Customs Cooperation
Terrorist Content Online: Council Agrees on Regulation – Criticism from NGOs
The Council gave green light to the text on the new EU regulation addressing the dissemination of terrorist content online. Over 60 civil society organisation, however, urge MEPs not to follow suit and deny the regulation in its current form. The EP is due to adopt the regulation at its plenary session at the end of April. Read more
EU
Racism and Xenophobia
Terrorism