Latest stories - Justice and citizens rights

EU Citizenship: Commission proposes 12 new actions to boost citizens' rights    

08/05/2013  -  Justice and citizens rights

The 2013 EU Citizenship Report sets out 12 concrete ways to help Europeans make better use of their EU rights, from looking for a job in another EU country to ensuring stronger participation in the democratic life of the Union.

• Frequently asked questions
• Statement by Commissioner Viviane Reding
• EU Charter is making fundamental rights a reality for citizens
• Press pack
• More information on EU citizenship

Employment: Commission proposes to improve application of workers' rights to free movement    

26/04/2013  -  Employment and social rights / Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission has proposed measures to ensure the better application of EU law on people's right to work in another Member State and so make it easier for people to exercise their rights in practice.  |PHOTOS|

• Frequently asked questions
• Statement by Commissioner László Andor
• More information on free movement of workers

European Commission acts to slash red tape in all Member States    

24/04/2013  -  Business / Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission is proposing to slash red tape for citizens and businesses by doing away with bureaucratic rubber-stamping exercises currently required to get public documents like your birth certificate recognised as authentic in another EU Member State.  |PHOTOS|VIDEO|

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Press pack
• More information on Civil Justice

Trafficking in human beings: more victims in the EU but Member states are slow to respond    

15/04/2013  -  Justice and citizens rights

23.632 people were identified or presumed victims of trafficking in the EU over the 2008-2010 period. This is the most striking figure emerging from the first report on trafficking in human beings in Europe, published by the European Commission.  |PHOTOS|VIDEO|

• Questions & Answers: trafficking in human beings in the EU
• Statement by Commissioner Malmström
• EU Anti-Trafficking Directive
• More information on trafficking in human beings

Schengen Information System (SIS II) goes live    

09/04/2013  -  Justice and citizens rights

SIS II is the second generation of the Schengen Information System in operation since 1995 and has enhanced functionalities, such as the possibility to enter biometrics (fingerprints and photographs), new types of alerts (stolen aircrafts, boats, containers, means of payment), or the possibility to link different alerts (such as an alert on a person and a vehicle).  |VIDEO|

• Questions and answers
• More information on Schengen Information System (SIS II)

EU Justice Scoreboard: European Commission broadens the scope of its analysis of Member States' justice systems    

27/03/2013  -  Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission has unveiled a new comparative tool to promote effective justice systems in the European Union and thereby reinforce economic growth. The ‘European Justice Scoreboard’ will provide objective, reliable and comparable data on the functioning of the justice systems in the EU’s 27 Member States.  |PHOTOS|VIDEO|

• Questions & Answers
• DOCUMENT. The EU Justice Scoreboard: A tool to promote effective justice and growth
• DOCUMENT. The functioning of judicial systems and the situation of the economy in the European Union Member States
• Statement by Commissioner Reding
• More information on the EU Justice Scoreboard

Putting a stop to marketing scams: European Commission takes action to strengthen enforcement against unfair commercial practices    

14/03/2013  -  Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission outlined a series of actions to tackle aggressive commercial practices across the EU such as fake ‘free’ offers, ‘bait and switch’ advertising for products which cannot be supplied, and exhortation of children.

• Press pack - Unfair consumer practices
• More information on unfair commercial practices

2014 European Parliament Elections: Commission recommends that political parties nominate candidate for Commission President    

12/03/2013  -  Institutional affairs / Justice and citizens rights

The proposals aim to better inform voters about the issues at stake in next year's European Parliament elections, encourage a Europe-wide debate and ultimately improve voter turnout.  |VIDEO|

• Factsheet: Enhancing the democracy of European Parliament Elections
• Electoral period for next European Parliament to be advanced
• EP seats after 2014 elections: no member state to lose more than one MEP
• More information on EU citizens electoral rights

Green light for the second-generation Schengen Information System (SIS II)

08/03/2013  -  Justice and citizens rights

At the meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council, ministers adopted two legislative acts related to the SIS II. The new system will go live on 9 April.  |PHOTOS 1|2|VIDEO|

• Main results of the Justice and Home Affairs Council
• EU-wide protection for victims: agreement on mutual recognition of protection measures in civil matters
• More press releases from the Justice and Home Affairs Council

'Smart borders': enhancing mobility and security

28/02/2013  -  Justice and citizens rights / Transport and travel

The Commission proposed a 'smart border package' to speed-up, facilitate and reinforce border check procedures for foreigners travelling to the EU.  |PHOTOS|VIDEO 1|2|

• Frequently asked questions
• DOCUMENT. Proposal for a Regulation establishing Registered Traveller Programme
• DOCUMENT. Proposal for a Regulation establishing an Entry/Exit System (EES)
• DOCUMENT. Proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 as regards the use of the Entry/Exit System
• Statement by Commissioner Cecilia Malmström
• More information on 'Smart Borders'

EU Cybersecurity plan to protect open internet and online freedom and opportunity    

07/02/2013  -  Justice and citizens rights / Science and technology

The cybersecurity strategy – "An Open, Safe and Secure Cyberspace" - represents the EU's comprehensive vision on how best to prevent and respond to cyber disruptions and attacks. This is to further European values of freedom and democracy and ensure the digital economy can safely grow.  |VIDEO|PHOTOS|

• Frequently asked questions
• DOCUMENT. Communication on a cybersecurity strategy of the European Union: An open, safe and secure cyberspace
• DOCUMENT. Proposal for a Directive concerning measures to ensure a high common level of network and information security across the Union
• Remarks by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton
• Statement by Commissioner Neelie Kroes
• Statement by Commissioner Cecilia Malmström
• More information on cybersecurity

European Commission strengthens the protection of the euro by means of criminal law    

05/02/2013  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition / Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission has proposed to crack down on criminals who counterfeit euro notes and coins. Counterfeiting of the euro is estimated to have cost at least €500 million since the currency was introduced in 2002.

• DOCUMENT. Communication on the protection of the financial interests of the European Union by criminal law and by administrative investigations
• More information on financial crime

Anti-Money Laundering: Stronger rules to respond to new threats    

05/02/2013  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition / Justice and citizens rights

The Commission has adopted two proposals to reinforce the EU's existing rules on anti-money laundering and fund transfers.

• Frequently asked questions
• DOCUMENT. Proposal for a directive on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering
• DOCUMENT. Proposal for a regulation on information accompanying transfers of funds
• More information on financial crime

Illicit drugs: EU report unveils new worrying trends in smuggling and consumption    

31/01/2013  -  Justice and citizens rights

The report unveils the ‘changing face of organised crime in Europe’: while, historically, the EU drug market has focused on specific drugs trafficked by specialised operators along well-defined routes, the contemporary market is more ‘fluid’, with new routes and multi-substance consignments becoming more common.  |PHOTOS|

• EU drug markets report: key findings
• EU drug markets report: a strategic analysis
• Statement by Commissioner Malmström
• Commission calls for EU-wide ban on amphetamine-like drug '4-MA'
• More information on drug control policy

Regulatory pressure gets the ball rolling: Share of women on company boards up to 15.8% in Europe    

25/01/2013  -  Business / Justice and citizens rights

The Commission released mid-term figures on the share of women on boards in publicly listed companies. The new figures show an increase in the number of women on boards to 15.8%, up from 13.7% in January 2012.

• European Commission database on women and men in decision-making
• Women on Boards: Commission proposes 40% objective (14.11.2012)
• More information and documents in the Press pack – Women on boards

European Commission kick-starts the 2013 European Year of Citizens    

02/01/2013  -  Institutional affairs / Justice and citizens rights

To mark the European Year of Citizens 2013, a range of events, conferences and seminars will be organised across the EU at Union, national, regional or local level.

• DOCUMENT. The EU citizens’ agenda
• European year of citizens’ website
• Year of the Citizens: "It's high time the EU came closer to its citizens"

Customs: Boosting EU competitiveness, protecting EU citizens in the 21st century

21/12/2012  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition / Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission adopted a Communication on the State of Customs Union. The Communication takes stock of the current state of the EU customs union, identifies the challenges that it currently faces, and sets out priority actions for ensuring its future evolution.  |VIDEO|

• DOCUMENT. Communication on the State of the Customs Union
• More information on the EU customs strategy

Giving honest businesses a second chance: Commission proposes modern insolvency rules    

12/12/2012  -  Business / Justice and citizens rights

Businesses hit by the economic crisis will be thrown a lifeline under a new proposal from the European Commission to modernise Europe’s rules on cross-border business insolvency, helping to give otherwise viable businesses a ‘second chance’.  |PHOTOS|VIDEO|

• Questions and Answers
• Statement by Vice-President Reding
• More information on insolvency proceedings

Easier and faster circulation of judgments

07/12/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

EU rules on the enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters have been revised. The aim is to remedy shortcomings in the current rules for solving cross-border disputes in order to improve judicial cooperation between member states.  |VIDEO|

• DOCUMENT. Regulation on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters
• Main results of the Justice and Home Affairs Council (provisional version)
• More information the recognition and enforcement of judgments

Report: How to prevent crime across Europe    

30/11/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

In a report, the European Commission evaluates the efforts of the network to enhance safety and security for European citizens.

• The European Crime Prevention network (EUCPN)
• More information on EU policies against Organised crime & Human trafficking
• More information on European Crime Prevention Network

European Commission takes action to protect businesses against marketing scams    

27/11/2012  -  Business / Justice and citizens rights

The aim is to better protect businesses, professionals and NGOs across Europe from dishonest traders who do not play by the rules and use misleading marketing practices, such as sending out forms asking businesses to update details in their directories, seemingly for free, and then charging them annual fees.  |VIDEO|PHOTOS|

• DOCUMENT. Protecting businesses against misleading marketing practices and ensuring effective enforcement
• Questions and answers
• More information on misleading advertising

European elections: citizens will be able to stand as candidates in another EU country more easily

20/11/2012  -  Institutional affairs / Justice and citizens rights

It will now be easier for EU citizens living in another Member State to stand as candidates in the 2014 European Parliament elections, following a vote on a European Commission proposal in the European Parliament.

• The different steps of the legislative procedure
• More information on EU citizens electoral rights
• 2014 elections: give European voters bigger say on Commission, say MEPs

Women on Boards: Commission proposes 40% objective    

14/11/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The Commission has proposed legislation with the aim of attaining a 40% objective of the under-represented sex in non-executive board-member positions in publicly listed companies, with the exception of small and medium enterprises.  |PHOTOS|VIDEO|

• Questions and Answers
• DOCUMENT. The proposal for a directive
• European Commission database on women and men in decision-making
• More information and documents in the Press pack – Women on boards

Putting victims first: new rules on victims' rights to become law

13/11/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The directive sets out minimum rights for victims, wherever they are in the EU. Member States now have three years to implement the provisions into their national laws.

• The different steps of the legislative procedure
• New European law improving rights for victims of crime has been adopted (4 October 2012)
• Crime victims to benefit from same level of support throughout the EU (11 July 2012)
• More information on victims’ rights

A visa policy to spur economic growth in the EU    

07/11/2012  -  External relations and foreign affairs / Justice and citizens rights / Transport and travel

If fully exploited, the current visa rules could ensure that the EU remains an attractive destination for more tourists/third country nationals, while at the same time boosting EU's economic activity and job creation.  |PHOTOS|VIDEO 1|2|

• Frequently asked questions
• DOCUMENT. Communication - Implementation and development of the common visa policy to spur growth in the EU
• DOCUMENT. Proposal for a Regulation on visa requirements for third country nationals
• Speech by Commissioner Malmström
• Commission proposes visa-free travel to citizens of 16 Island Nations
• More information on visa policy
• More information on tourism

Improving standards for the reception of asylum seekers

25/10/2012  -  External relations and foreign affairs / Justice and citizens rights

Ministers reached agreement on a directive laying down standards for the reception of asylum seekers. This directive is one of five legislative instruments making up the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) package.  |VIDEO|

• Better and more harmonised living standards and more effective rules for fighting abuse
• More information on Asylum
• Main results of the Justice and Home Affairs Council (provisional version)

European Year of Citizens: raising awareness of EU citizens' rights / Justice and citizens rights

23/10/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

Parliament voted to designate 2013 European Year of Citizens with the aim of raising awareness of the rights linked to EU citizenship.  |VIDEO|

• European Year of Citizens: legislative steps
• More information on the European Year of Citizens

Main results of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council

04/10/2012  -  Employment and social rights / Environment, consumers and health / Justice and citizens rights

The Council adopted several legal acts, notably on energy efficiency, better access to and improved digitisation of orphan works across the EU and minimum standards for the rights, support and protection of crime victims.  |VIDEO|PHOTOS 1|2|

• The Council adopts energy efficiency directive
• Council endorses minimum standards for crime victims across the EU
• Intellectual property: new EU rules for orphan works

Major banks, telecoms companies and governments join forces in EU-wide cyberattack exercise    

04/10/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights / Science and technology

Cyber Europe 2012 runs alongside European Cyber Security Month and is the second EU-wide cyber-attack simulation exercise organised by Member States, the Commission and ENISA.  |PHOTOS|

• Questions and answers about the exercise
• More on Cyber Europe 2012
• EU policy on network & information security
• European Cyber Security Month (ECSM)

Asylum and migration: EU must do more to protect unaccompanied children    

28/09/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

In a report on the situation of unaccompanied minors in the EU, the Commission calls for improved efforts at both national and European level to respond effectively and in full respect of the rights of the child to this complex transnational challenge.  |PHOTOS|VIDEO|

• Shaping a common approach on unaccompanied minors
• DOCUMENT. Mid-term report on the implementation of the Action Plan on unaccompanied minors
• Cecilia Malmström's Op-ed on unaccompanied minors

EU Consumers: settling small cross-border disputes without any hassle    

21/09/2012  -  Environment, consumers and health / Justice and citizens rights

To avoid difficult, costly and time-consuming legal procedures, the European Union is facilitating access to justice for consumers in Europe, so that they can effectively enforce their rights.

• DOCUMENT. European Small Claims Procedure Report
• Small claims forms
• More information on the European Small Claims procedure

EU rules to ease cross-border successions are now law    

26/07/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The rules will bring legal certainty to the estimated 450,000 European families dealing with an international succession each year. Member States now have three years to align their national laws so that the new EU rules become effective.

• New rules on international successions
• The different steps of the legislative procedure
• More information on family matters and successions

Libor scandal: Commission proposes EU-wide action to fight rate-fixing    

25/07/2012  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition / Justice and citizens rights

The Commission is not proposing to set the minimum types and levels of criminal sanctions at this stage, but wants to require each Member State to provide for criminal sanctions in its national laws to cover the manipulation of benchmarks.  |PHOTOS|VIDEO|

• Frequently asked questions
• Statement by Commissioner Viviane Reding at the joint press conference with Commissioner Michel Barnier
• DOCUMENT. Amended proposal for a regulation on insider dealing and market manipulation (market abuse)
• DOCUMENT. Amended proposal for a directive on criminal sanctions for insider dealing and market manipulation
• More information on market abuse

EU customs detain over 100 million fake goods at EU borders    

24/07/2012  -  External relations and foreign affairs / Justice and citizens rights

In 2011, EU Customs detained almost 115 million products suspected of violating intellectual property rights (IPR) compared to 103 million in 2010. The number of intercepted cases increased by 15% compared to 2010.

• Frequently Asked Questions
• DOCUMENT. Report on EU customs enforcement of intellectual property rights
• More on customs detentions at the external borders of the EU

Protecting taxpayers' money: Commission proposes to strengthen use of criminal law against fraudsters

11/07/2012  -  Economy, finance, tax and competition / Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission has proposed new rules to fight fraud against the EU budget by means of criminal law to better safeguard taxpayers' money. The Directive creates a more harmonised framework for prosecuting and punishing crimes involving the EU budget so that criminals no longer exploit differences between national legal systems.  |VIDEO|PHOTOS|

• Questions and answers
• DOCUMENT. Communication on the protection of the financial interests of the European Union by criminal law and by administrative investigations
• Statement by Commissioner Reding
• Statement by Commissioner Šemeta
• More information on Anti-fraud policy
• More information on criminal law policy

European Parliament rejects ACTA    

04/07/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) was rejected by the European Parliament, and hence cannot become law in the EU. This was the first time that Parliament exercised its Lisbon Treaty power to reject an international trade agreement. 478 MEPs voted against ACTA, 39 in favour, and 165 abstained.  |VIDEO|

• Everything you need to know about ACTA
• DOCUMENT. Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement
• More information on ACTA

40 new measures for an EU strategy against trafficking in human beings    

19/06/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The Commission 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.  |PHOTOS|VIDEO 1|2|

• An EU Strategy towards the eradication of trafficking in Human beings
• EU Home Affairs website on human trafficking
• More information and documents on EU action against trafficking in human beings

ECJ: judgment in family benefits for migrant workers case

12/06/2012  -  Employment and social rights / Justice and citizens rights

EU law does not prevent a Member State from granting family benefits to posted or seasonal workers in respect of whom it is not, in principle, the competent Member State.

• More on EU workers’ rights

European Commission plans to ease legal burden for cross-border successions to become law    

07/06/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The Commission's proposal to simplify the settlement of international successions received the final backing of the Council of Justice Ministers of the EU. The European Commission proposals will ease the legal burden when a family member with property in another EU country passes away.

• Council adopts EU-wide rules on matters of succession
• New rules on international successions
• The different steps of the legislative procedure
• Main results of the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting (provisional version)
• More information on family matters and successions

EU-wide right to information at arrest is now law    

07/06/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

This law ensures that anyone arrested or subject to a European Arrest Warrant in any EU Member State is given a Letter of Rights listing their basic rights during criminal proceedings. EU Member States now have two years to introduce the new rules in their national legal systems.

• The different steps of the legislative procedure
• DOCUMENT. Directive on the right to information in criminal proceedings
• More information on the rights of suspects and the accused

New report and survey give a snapshot of migration, asylum and free movement in the EU

01/06/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The Commission is publishing a Report on the 2011 developments in the areas of immigration and asylum, accompanied by a Eurobarometer on European citizens' attitudes towards cross-border mobility, migration and security. According to the survey, 8 out of 10 Europeans agree that EU Member States should offer protection and asylum to those in need and that rules for admitting asylum seekers should be the same across the EU.  |VIDEO|

• Third Annual Report on Immigration and Asylum
• More information on immigration policy
• More information on asylum policy

European Commission calls on Member States to implement national plans for Roma integration    

23/05/2012  -  Employment and social rights / Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission has called on EU Member States, in a report adopted today, to implement their national strategies to improve the economic and social integration of Europe's 10 to 12 million Roma.  |VIDEO|

• DOCUMENT. National Roma Integration Strategies: a first step in the implementation of the EU Framework
• DOCUMENT. European Commission Staff working document on National Roma Integration Strategies
• National Strategies on Roma integration
• More information on EU and Roma

Europe Day sees launch of first European Citizens' Initiative

08/05/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission will mark Europe Day (9 May) by registering the very first European Citizens' Initiative. Other proposed initiatives will also be added to the online register in the coming days.

• Frequently asked questions on the European Citizens' Initiative
• Website of the European Citizen’s Initiative
• On Europe day the Commission also calls on EU citizens to help set the policy agenda for the next years in a consultation on citizens' rights
• Parliament debated the achievements and the challenges facing the EU in the midst of the current crisis
• Europe day, 9 May

Fair trial rights: European Commission proposal giving citizens the right to information in criminal proceedings to become law    

27/04/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

EU Justice Ministers adopted a new law that the European Commission had proposed to ensure defendants' right to information during criminal proceedings. Under the 'Directive on the right to information in criminal proceedings', suspects of a criminal offence will be informed of their rights in a language they understand.

• Council approves EU-wide minimum standards as regards the right to information in criminal proceedings
• More on the rights of suspects and the accused

Parliament gives green light to air passenger data deal with the US

19/04/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

A new agreement on the transfer of EU air passengers' personal data to the US authorities was approved by the European Parliament. The deal sets legal conditions and covers issues such as storage periods, use, data protection safeguards and administrative and judicial redress.  |VIDEO|

• Statement by Commissioner Malmström
• Frequently Asked Questions

New partnership between EU and UN Women to enhance gender equality worldwide

16/04/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The new Memorandum of Understanding signed on the margin of the EU Sustainable Energy for All Summit in Brussels, reaffirms the partnership between the two organisations to support gender equality and women’s empowerment around the world and ensures closer collaboration; sharing information, expertise and analysis in order to effectively advance women’s rights.   |VIDEO|PHOTOS|

• Factsheet on the EU’s work with women
• Development policy - Gender equality
• Progress in gender equality leads to economic growth, says European Commission report

European Commission makes fundamental rights a reality for citizens    

16/04/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission's second annual report on the Charter finds that fundamental rights concerns are increasingly embedded in EU policy-making.

• Speech by Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission
• DOCUMENT. Second annual report on the Charter
• More background information
• EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Update on ACTA's referral to the European Court of Justice

04/04/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission has taken the next step in the important process of referring the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) to the European Court of Justice (ECJ). By agreeing on the legal submission to be put before the ECJ, the Commission aims to respond to the wide-ranging concerns voiced by people across Europe on what ACTA is about and whether it harms fundamental rights in any way.

• DOCUMENT. Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement
• More information on ACTA

Commission fires starting gun on European Citizens' Initiatives    

30/03/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

1 April 2012 marks the launch of European Citizens' Initiatives. From that day, a million citizens from across Europe can come together on an issue that is important to them, and ask the Commission to do something about it.  |VIDEO|

• Frequently asked questions
• Citizens' initiative - You can set the agenda!
• European citizens' initiative - official register
• DOCUMENT. Regulation on the European citizens' initiative

European Commission seeks public input on a modern system of European insolvency law    

30/03/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission launched a public consultation on modernising EU rules governing insolvencies. The results of the consultation will help determine whether and how the existing Regulation needs to be revised in order to bolster businesses and strengthen the EU's Single Market.

• Consultation on the future of European Insolvency Law
• More information on insolvency proceedings

An EU Cybercrime Centre to fight online criminals and protect e-consumers    

28/03/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights / Science and technology

It is estimated that, worldwide, more than one million people become victims of cybercrime every day.The European Commission proposed to establish a European Cybercrime Centre to help protect European citizens and businesses against these mounting cyber-threats.  |VIDEO|PHOTOS|

• Frequently asked questions
• DOCUMENT. Tackling Crime in our Digital Age: Establishing a European Cybercrime Centre
• Boosting Europe's defences against cyber attacks

More safeguards for online privacy rights

25/01/2012  -  Justice and citizens rights

Proposals would introduce a single set of rules giving individuals more control over how their personal data is managed and used.