Crime & Justice Guides

The European Cybercrime Center EC³ by EUbusiness — last modified 09 January 2013, 18:18 CET

The European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) is up and running from 11 January 2013 to help protect European citizens and businesses from cyber-crime. EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström takes part in the official opening of the Centre established at the European Police Office, Europol in the Hague (the Netherlands).

EU Strategy towards the eradication of trafficking in Human beings - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 19 June 2012, 18:34 CET

Hundreds of thousands of people are trafficked in the EU every year. Women and men, boys and girls in vulnerable positions are traded for the purpose of sexual or labour exploitation, removal of organs, begging, domestic servitude, forced marriage, illegal adoption as well as other forms of exploitation. The European Commission today adopted the EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings (2012-2016), a set of concrete and practical measures to be implemented over the next five years. These include the establishment of national law enforcement units specialised in human trafficking and the creation of joint European investigation teams to prosecute cross-border trafficking cases.

European Commission report on the application of the Third Anti-Money Laundering Directive - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 16 April 2012, 17:53 CET

In light of the recent adoption of revised international standards and of the European Commission's own review process, a report on the application of the Third Anti-Money Laundering Directive was adopted by the Commission on 11 April. The Report analyses how the different elements of the existing framework have been applied and considers how the framework may need to be changed. It contains an examination of the provisions of the Directive, and in general concludes that although the existing framework appears to work well and that no fundamental shortcomings have been identified which would require substantial changes, some modifications are necessary to adapt to the evolving threats posed. The Commission plans to bring forward a proposal for a fourth anti-money laundering Directive in autumn 2012.

European Cybercrime Centre - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 29 March 2012, 23:53 CET

The European Commission has adopted a Communication on a European Cybercrime Centre, to be established within the EU law enforcement agency, Europol. The Centre is to become the focal point in the fight against cybercrime in the Union.

Confiscation and asset recovery: Better tools to fight crime - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 12 March 2012, 16:19 CET

The European Commission has proposed new rules for more effective and widespread confiscation of funds and other property acquired through crime. This will enhance the ability of Member States to confiscate assets that have been transferred to third parties, it will make it easier to confiscate criminal assets even when the suspect has fled and will ensure that competent authorities can temporarily freeze assets that risk disappearing if no action is taken.

EU crackdown on drivers committing traffic offences abroad - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 06 July 2011, 16:48 CET

Drivers will be punished for traffic offences they commit abroad, including the four "big killers" causing 75% of road fatalities - speeding, breaking traffic lights, failure to use seatbelts and drink driving - following a vote in the European Parliament today.

EU Internal Security Strategy in Action - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 22 November 2010, 19:43 CET

The "EU Internal Security Strategy in Action" comprises 41 actions targeting the most urgent security threats facing Europe. They include a shared agenda to disrupt criminal and terrorist networks, to protect citizens, businesses and societies against cybercrime, to increase EU security by smarter border management, and to strengthen the Union's readiness and response to crises.

Firearms for civilian use: stricter EU rules to combat illicit trafficking - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 31 May 2010, 21:32 CET

The European Commission has proposed legislation to combat illicit arms trafficking through improved tracing and control of imports and exports of civilian firearms from and to the EU territory. The adoption of the proposal by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU would bring the European Union legislation in line with Article 10 of the UN Firearms Protocol.

EU-US data protection agreement negotiations - briefing by Ina Dimireva — last modified 26 May 2010, 23:33 CET

The European Commission today adopted a draft mandate to negotiate a personal data protection agreement between the European Union and the United States when cooperating to fight terrorism or crime. The aim is to ensure a high level of protection of personal information like passenger data or financial information that is transferred as part of transatlantic cooperation in criminal matters. The agreement would enhance the right of citizens to access, rectify or delete data, where appropriate.

Compensation to crime victims by Ina Dimireva — last modified 03 February 2010, 18:10 CET

The aim of Council Directive 2004/80/EC is to set up a system of cooperation to facilitate access to compensation for victims of crimes in cross-border situations. This system operates on the basis of Member States' compensation schemes for victims of violent intentional crime committed in their respective territories.

Customs response to latest trends in counterfeiting and piracy by Ina Dimireva — last modified 11 January 2010, 23:52 CET

The European Commission proposes a series of customs measures aimed at protecting the EU more effectively against counterfeiting and piracy. These measures include improving legislation, strengthening partnership between customs and businesses and increasing international cooperation.

The EU drugs action plan (2009-2012) by Ina Dimireva — last modified 06 January 2010, 00:35 CET

This action plan establishes five priorities to be implemented in the fight against drugs: coordination at European and national levels, reduction of demand for drugs, reduction of supply of drugs, international cooperation and information on the drugs phenomenon.

Recognition and execution of confiscation orders in the EU by Ina Dimireva — last modified 21 December 2009, 20:16 CET

The EU is facilitating the direct execution of confiscation orders for the proceeds of crime by establishing simplified procedures for recognition among Member States and rules for dividing confiscated property between the Member State issuing the confiscation order and the one executing it.

EU VAT anti-fraud strategy by Ina Dimireva — last modified 16 December 2009, 18:14 CET

In order to improve the VAT management system and to protect EU Member States against VAT fraud, the European Commission proposes a review, with particular regard to methods of control, registration, information and collection of revenue in the context of an increase in cross-border transactions.

A comprehensive EU anti-corruption policy by Ina Dimireva — last modified 10 December 2009, 00:17 CET

The aim of the anti-corruption policy of the European Union is to reduce all forms of corruption, at every level, in all EU countries and institutions and even outside the EU.

Allowing access to fingerprints on EURODAC - briefing by EUbusiness — last modified 10 September 2009, 18:09 CET

Police cooperation: allowing access to fingerprints stored in EURODAC by EU Member States' law enforcement authorities and by Europol.

European Arrest Warrant by EUbusiness — last modified 29 June 2007, 13:43 CET

The European Union has adopted a Framework Decision on the European arrest warrant and the surrender procedures between Member States. The decision simplifies and speeds up the procedure, given that the whole political and administrative phase is replaced by a judicial mechanism