The main purpose of this study is to analyze the changes in the Severe and Organized Crime Assessments that guide the Union on these illegal activities by examining the phenomenon of organized crime ...that has many economic and political negative consequences within the borders of the European Union. As a method, first of all, the study has drawn the conceptual framework of organized crime phenomenon by examining the related literature, and then evaluated the changes of organized crime tendencies within the Union by comparing the evaluations of 2014-2017 and 2018-2021 prepared by Europol. One of the most striking results obtained from these comparisons is while the environmental crimes, criminal finance and money laundering issues have been laid into background in the assessment period between 2014 and 2017, after the terrorist attacks in Brussels and Paris, particularly the criminal finance or financial supports to terrorist activities issues have been brought to the fore the assessment period for 2018-2021 by Europol. This study, with its versatile character, both evaluated the phenomenon of organized crime and analyzed two consecutive periods in the context of organized crime, which were not compared before.
Migrant smuggling is a highly complex criminal phenomenon. Clearly cross-border in nature, smuggling frequently involves the participation of organized criminal groups. A coherent approach to these ...activities requires a clear and correctly implemented regulation, in the case of the EU the reference regulation is the ‘Facilitators’ package’. In the present contribution several controversies that this framework entails will be pointed out, especially the excessive criminalization and the neglect of the human rights perspective. Furthermore, the eradication of smuggling requires the sum of efforts and coordinated action of different actors such as national authorities and European agencies. In this paper some actions carried out by Europol in the Mediterranean will be studied. Focusing on the role of this law enforcement agency in the hotspots, the contribution of the information gathered and the benefits for Eurojust will be evaluated.
Received: 31 July 2022Accepted: 10 October 2022
The paper approaches preventive justice and big data from a predictive policing point of view. Predictive policing is a controversial technology because of the many risks it imposes on fundamental ...rights. Through use cases from the EU, the paper focuses on how the implementation of predictive policing technologies has been limited in the EU but also how difficult the limitations might be due to the high hopes set upon technology. Although predictive policing technologies are not yet used in Finland by the police, the paper discusses how the use of police powers is limited in Finland and how fundamental rights control in the democratic process will work if the police were willing to adopt such technology.
The global proliferation of drug trafficking represents a significant challenge to public health, safety, and national security. International cooperation is imperative to combat this transnational ...threat effectively. This study examines the role of information exchange as a cornerstone of collaborative efforts among nations in the fight against drug trafficking. Drawing on an extensive review of international agreements, legal frameworks, and operational practices, this article studies the mechanisms facilitating the sharing of intelligence, data, and expertise among law enforcement agencies, intergovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders. The analysis reveals that successful information exchange relies on the establishment of trust, the development of standardized protocols, and the harmonization of legal frameworks across jurisdictions. Additionally, the study underscores the critical role of technology in enhancing the speed and accuracy of information dissemination, enabling real-time coordination among international partners. The article highlights the importance of capacity-building initiatives to strengthen the capabilities of less resource-endowed nations to participate effectively in information exchange networks. In conclusion, this article demonstrates that information exchange serves in international efforts to combat drug trafficking. By leveraging technological advancements, fostering trust, and harmonizing legal frameworks, nations can enhance their collective capacity to disrupt and dismantle transnational drug networks. The findings of this study offer valuable insights for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and practitioners engaged in formulating and implementing strategies to address this pervasive global challenge.
This article aims to critically evaluate how the legal framework of the Schengen Information System (SIS) and its practical implementation have evolved to address concerns regarding the phenomenon of ...foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) and which operational and fundamental rights challenges this evolution poses. In that regard, emphasis is placed on two examples: first, the article examines the maximised operationalisation of alerts on discreet checks under Article 36 of the SIS Regulation on police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters. Then, focus is placed on the forthcoming iregistration of alerts on third-country nationals in the interest of the Union based on Regulation 2022/1190. These alerts will be registered in the SIS with the increased involvement of Europol following information received by third countries or international organisations.
On 18 November 2019, an international police operation involving over 350 police officers, supported by Europol (within the framework of EMPACT) and Eurojust, dismantled an international organized ...crime group involved in large-scale trafficking of looted archaeological items resulting in the arrest of 23 individuals, 80 house searches, and the seizure of around 10,000 cultural items, including hundreds of figurative terracottas.
The European Union (EU) seeks to play a leading role in steering the private work of online content moderation, as demonstrated by numerous policy and legislative initiatives in the domain. Two ...initiatives, in particular, are shaping terrorist content moderation: the creation of a EU Internet Referral Unit and the adoption of a Regulation on preventing the online dissemination of terrorist content (TERREG). This article analyses these initiatives and their practical effects. In particular, it unpacks the legal and technological mechanisms at the core of EU regulation in the realm of online terrorist content moderation, and how they co‐produce security decisions across public and private spheres. Based on interviews, fieldwork observations and document analysis, we show how processes of referral and removal, and processes of flagging and filtering are key to EU‐directed content moderation. In conclusion, we reflect on content moderation as a novel form of European security integration.
Vice President for Promoting our European Way of Life Margaritis Schinas, stated at the time of the adoption of Europol’s amendment that “Europol is a true example of where EU action helps protect us ...all. Today’s agreement will give Europol the right tools and safeguard to support police forces in analysing big data to investigate crime and in developing pioneering methods to tackle cybercrime.” While some characterized the changes as an achievement for the adaptability and operational role of Europol, others argued that it undermines fundamental rights and weakens data protection. This paper analyses the amendments made to the Regulation and explores Europol’s increasing role of in national investigations and the associated dangers of it. The paper starts with a historical analysis of Europol’s legal framework and role in national criminal investigations, before diving into the core of the Regulation. After 2022, Europol supports Member States’ investigations in many ways. First, through the continuous retention of large and complex datasets, which was strongly criticized by NGOs and the EDPS. Second, through the transformation of Europol into the information hub and broker for the exchanges of data with private parties. Third, more indirectly, through Europol’s support of research and innovation projects, for national authorities to use and explore new technologies in their work. However, these amendments are not without dangers. The Regulation of 2022 pushes the boundaries of Europol’s competences further, by circumventing existing limits and questioning the legality of the operations. The stronger role of Europol lacks sufficient safeguards and efficient oversight. This is highly problematic considering the impact Europol may have on national investigations, and as a result on the situation of individuals.
The article is devoted to problems of international legal relations regulation in the field of cooperation between law enforcement authorities. The principal focus is laid particularly on police ...cooperation that gives the edge in countering the current challenges to national and global security. The meaning of such cooperation as an object of international legal regulation is given a thorough analysis. The main perspectives of implementing the international police cooperation are determined in view of the existing threats to the security environment as well as by taking into account the transboundary nature of criminal behavior. The process structure of the international legal relations regulation in the sphere of police cooperation is addressed. It is shown that such regulation is based on the needs of the countries’ national security, but with due regard to national legislation. The latter settles two problems outright: preventing the restriction of national sovereignty and ensuring maximum legality in the criminal prosecution process. The character and emphasis of international legal relations regulation in the sphere of police cooperation were determined. It is emphasized that such regulation includes separate methods of international, administrative and criminal procedural law. Thus, it is concluded that the development of a separate branch of law is a prerequisite, especially in the legal doctrine of international police law. This will ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of international law in the national legal system.
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