EUROMED JUSTICE United Nations Headquarters, New York, 20 and 21 June 2017 1
EuroMed Justice Project The main goal of EuroMed Justice 4 th project funded by the European Union is to contribute to the development of a Euro- Mediterranean effective, efficient and protective to the human rights judicial and law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters. This project of regional scope is addressed to the European Neighborhood South Partner Countries (ENI SPC). The People s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Arab Republic of Egypt, Israel, the Kingdom of Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Palestinian Authority and the Republic of Tunisia. The Syrian Arab Republic s participation is suspended by decision of the EU 2
What is CrimEx? EuroMed Justice Expert Group in Criminal Matters CrimEx Exercises the South Partner Countries (SPCs) ownership in the implementation of the activities regarding judicial and law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters. For two years, during eight sessions (2017-2018) CrimEx will act as: REGIONAL THINK-TANK FORUM FACILITATOR 3
Who are the CrimEx members? The CrimEx Members have been designated according to a profile defined in consultation with Eurojust and the EJN in criminal matters From each SPC there are three members specialised in judicial cooperation in criminal matters : one representative from the National Central Authority Ministry of Justice one Prosecutor from the General Prosecution Office one Judge from the Appellate Court, the Supreme Court or High Judicial Council 4
CRIMEX OBJECTIVES 1. To achieve effective regional cooperation in criminal matters 2. To establish a mechanism of cooperation based on Three levels: NATIONAL PLATFORMS FOR COORDINATION REGIONAL PLATFORMS (South-South or Mediterranean) EURO-MED JUSTICE PLATFORMS (North-South or Euro-Mediterranean) 5
CRIMEX SUPPORT Directly connected with and sustained by Eurojust and the EJN in criminal matters which are key stakeholders and partners Benefit from the participation of liaison magistrates Some of the activities are and will be developed in cooperation with UNODC, UN CTED, Council of Europe CDPC and the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) Digital evidence Consult, coordinate and collaborate with EuroMed Police 6
Identified challenges The main challenges for judicial and law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters between SPCs and EU refers to : differences in standards regarding the protection of procedural rights, fair trial and the right to defence; the level of personal data protection; the lack of mutual trust and confidence; reservation to institutionalise judicial networks; the fear of cross-border direct contacts and direct communication between courts and prosecution services; the legal and institutional constrains regarding the operational activities of the EU Agencies - Eurojust and the EJN in the cooperation with SPCs 7
CRIMEX Tasks A. to build mutual trust and mutual confidence B. to identify and exchange good practices and information C. to develop platforms or networks of justice professionals, national, regional, Euro-Mediterranean D. to build the institutional capacities for judicial cooperation E. to carry out thorough analyses of the situation in each SPC and in the whole region F. to set up specific recommendations, guidelines, manuals, studies, researches and tools 8
PMT STEs CrimEx 1 to 3 Elaboration of CrimEx docs. Roadmap towards National Platforms Intersessional workings CrimEx members from SPCs Eurojust - EJN - EJTN UNODC, CTED, IAP Cuncil of Europe CrimEx 4 Roadmap towards EuroMed Judicial Platform Intersessional workings CrimEx 5 Roadmap towards EuroMed Forum of Prosecutors General Ways to enhance Informal Cooperation Intersessional workings SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL MECHANISMS OF COOPERATION CrimEx 6 Training Needs Analysis Training Materials Intersessional workings CrimEx 8 - Wrap UP Conclusions and recommendations Commitment for regional ownership 2015 Add Protocol to CPT Intersessional workings CrimEx 7 - Digital evidence Challenges & best practices Practical Guide on e-evidence gathering EuroMed digital Reference Tool Mechanisms to support creation of internet portal and database 9
TOOLS CAPACITY-BUILDING ACTIVITIES CrimEx 1 to 3 Gaps analysis Legal analysis EuroMed Fiches Handbook on judicial cooperation CrimEx 6 Training Needs Analysis Training of Trainers Materials Training the Trainers (2) Judicial cooperation in criminal matters Trainings (2) Investigation and prosecution of complex cross-border criminal cases Study visits and Seminars (2) Investigation and prosecution of complex cross-border criminal cases CrimEx 7 Digital Evidence Regional Workshop EuroMed cybercrime contact points Training Materials EU, UN, COE, Regional Legal Framework and Standards Demand-Driven Activities Technical Assistance Facility Instrument Quality evaluation of the activities and the results 10
CRIMEX SESSIONS PLATFORMS and NETWORKS CrimEx 2 Roadmap towards National Platforms National Platforms for Coordination CrimEx 4 Roadmap towards EuroMed Judicial Platform EuroMed Judicial Platform CrimEx 5 Roadmap towards EuroMed Forum of Prosecutors General EuroMed Forum of Prosecutors General Formal and Informal Cooperation Ways to enhance Informal Cooperation CrimEx 7 Digital Evidence EuroMed cybercrime contact points EuroMed cybercrime contact points 11
THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION EuroMed Justice Project Capacity Building Expert Virgil IVAN-CUCU virgil.ivan-cucu@euromed-justice.eu Website: www.euromed-justice.eu 12