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News found: 2390 of 2390
New EU Anti-Fraud Programme
The European Parliament and the Council established the Union Anti-Fraud Programme for the duration of the multiannual financial framework 2021-2027. The underlying Regulation (EU) 2021/785 was published in the Official Journal L 172 of 17 May 2021. The Programme succeeds the Hercule III Programme that ran until 2020. Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
Protection of Financial Interests
Spotlight ECA: EU Poorly Addresses Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
The EU’s response to money laundering (ML) and terrorist financing (TF) is fragmented at the institutional level and poorly coordinated if it came to actions to prevent ML/TF and to follow-up identified risks. The EU oversight framework is insufficient to ensure a level playing field. These are the overall conclusions of the European Court of Auditors (ECA) in its Special Report 13/2021. Read more
EU
Money Laundering
Human Rights Commissioner: 2020 Activity Report
On 21 April 2021, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published her 2020 annual activity report, which covers the main problems, challenges, and opportunities European countries are facing in the field of human rights. In the current global context, … Read more
Dr. András Csúri
Council of Europe
Human Rights Issues
EP Demands Extension of EPPO Mandate to Environmental Offences
In a resolution, adopted on 20 May 2021, the European Parliament plead for revamping the EU rules on environmental liability. This should include a reform of the 2008 Directive on the protection of the environment through criminal law. Considering low detection, investigation and conviction rates for environmental crimes, MEPs also call for an extension of the EPPO's mandate to cover environmental offences. Read more
EU
Environmental Crime
Council Sets EU’s Priorities for the Fight against Organised Crime (EMPACT 2022-2025)
On 26 May 2021, based on the Europol report “SOCTA 2021”, the Council adopted conclusions setting EU priorities for the period 2022-2025 to fight serious and organised crime. The conclusions fix clear goals that should be achieved within the framework of EMPACT (European Multidisciplinary Platform against Criminal Threats). Combating ten forms of crime is considered a priority during the next policy cycle. Read more
EU
Organised Crime
Spotlight Working Arrangement between EPPO and OLAF Signed
On 5 July 2021, European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi and OLAF Director-General Ville Itälä signed a working arrangement that sets out the future operational cooperation between the EPPO and OLAF. The agreement can be considered an important milestone since both offices are mandated to … Read more
EU
OLAF
European Public Prosectutor's Office (EPPO)
Protection of Financial Interests
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
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
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