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News found: 2336 of 2336
Council Conclusions: COVID-19 Impact on Terrorism and Violent Extremism
On 8 June 2021, the JHA Council adopted conclusions on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on terrorism and violent extremism. They provide an overview of the current situation and identify needs for action. It is stressed that information on the understanding and assessment of the online dimension of the terrorist and extremist threats are particularly important. Therefore, Member States must provide INTCEN and Europol with the necessary support. Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
Security Union
Terrorism
Council Conclusions: Impact of COVID-19 on Internal Security
On 7 June 2021, the JHA Council adopted conclusions “on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on internal security: threats, trends, resilience and lessons learned for EU law enforcement.” By stressing that the COVID-19 pandemic posed unpredictable risks and threats to the internal security … Read more
EU
Security Union
Council Conclusions on PNR Transfers to Third Countries
At its meeting on 7-8 June 2021, the JHA Council adopted conclusions on the transfer of passenger name record (PNR) data to third countries, in particular Australia and the United States, for the purpose of combatting terrorism and serious crime. Read more
EU
Data Protection
Programme of the Slovenian Council Presidency (JHA)
On 1 July 2021, Slovenia assumed the EU Council Presidency for the next six months. The motto: “Together. Resilient. Europe.” In general, priority topics will be post-pandemic economic recovery, the Conference on the Future of Europe and the EU enlargement process in the Western Balkans. … Read more
EU
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Council
Portuguese Council Presidency Wishes to Intensify Fight against Counterfeiting
One of the priorities of the Portuguese Council Presidency in the first half of 2021 was to strengthen the criminal law protection of intellectual property rights. Against the background of growing counterfeiting and product piracy activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus was laid on … Read more
EU
Counterfeiting & Piracy
Ministers Discuss Key Challenges for Public Prosecutors
At the JHA Council meeting on 7 June 2021, the Ministers for Justice discussed the key challenges to a well-functioning public prosecution service and how the JHA Council could engage in a more specific discussion on the topic. Discussions referred to a paper of the … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Judicial Cooperation
Council Conclusions on Vulnerable Persons
On 7 June 2021, the Justice and Home Affairs Council approved conclusions on the protection of vulnerable persons, with regard to civil and criminal law matters. The conclusions point out that further action is needed with regard to vulnerable adults whether they are suspects or accused in criminal proceedings or victims of crime. Read more
EU
Procedural Safeguards
Victim Protection
CCBE Position on Europol Reform
In a position paper issued on 6 May 2021, the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) criticised various aspects of the Commission proposal on a reform of current Europol Regulation 2016/794, which was tabled in December 2020. In the paper, the CCBE informs the EU legislator and policy makers about several standards that should be upheld in the Europol Regulation and makes several recommendations: Read more
EU
Europol
GRECO: 2020 General Activity Report
On 3 June 2021, GRECO published its 21st general activity report for the year 2020. The report finds that governments must rigorously manage the corruption risks that have arisen from the extraordinary measures needed to combat the COVID-19 epidemic, including the large influx of … Read more
Dr. András Csúri
Council of Europe
Corruption
Hungary: Recent Rule-of-Law Developments
This news item continues the overview of recent rule-of-law developments in Hungary. For reports in previous issues → eucrim 1/2021, 4-5; and eucrim 4/2020, 257-258; and eucrim 3/2020, 162-163 with further references. Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Rule of Law
Justice Ministers Debate on DSA
Following the Commission proposal on a Digital Services Act (DSA) – presented in December 2020 (→ eucrim 4/2020, 273-274) – the ministers of justice of the EU Member States held a debate on the plans to combat illegal content online at the JHA Council … Read more
EU
Legislation
Commission Initiates Public Discussion on Tax Avoidance Schemes by Shell Companies
On 4 June 2021, the Commission launched a public consultation on which action should be taken to curb the use of shell entities or legal arrangements for tax evasion purposes. The Commission points out that the EU has provided powerful instruments to tax administrations in … Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
EUROSUR Upgrade
On 9 April 2021, the European Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/581, laying down additional rules for the information exchange and cooperation between EU Member States within the European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR). New elements include easier and more secure information exchange, … Read more
Cornelia Riehle LL.M.
EU
Law Enforcement Cooperation
Data Protection Scrutiny of Proposed Digital Green Certificate
On 21 March 2021, the European Commission published a proposal for a Regulation introducing a framework for the issuance, verification, and acceptance of interoperable certificates to citizens on vaccination, testing, and recovery to facilitate free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, on 17 March … Read more
EU
Data Protection
Position Paper of German Bar Association on Europol Reform
In April 2021, the German Bar Association (DAV) published a position paper on the Commission Proposal for a Regulation amending the Europol Regulation (→eucrim 4/2020, 279) that outlines its concerns over the proposed enlarged mandate of Europol. The DAV is especially concerned about … Read more
EU
Europol
Europol Warning over Fake Correspondence
On 8 April 2021, Europol published a warning concerning scams with emails and messages on social media using the name of Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine de Bolle. Europol emphasized that such correspondence is fake, especially given that its Executive Director would never directly contact … Read more
EU
Europol