European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
organised crime
Understanding the EU response to organised crime [Policy Podcast]
The EU has made substantial progress in terms of protecting its citizens since the early 1990s, often in response to dramatic incidents, such as mafia or other organised crime group murders, big money-laundering scandals, a steep increase in migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings following the 2015 migration crisis, or – more recently – a sharp rise in cybercrime, fraud and counterfeiting during the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – Strasbourg, January I 2020
January highlights included statements on ongoing hearings on the rule of law under Article 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union (EU) regarding Hungary and Poland; bushfires in Australia and climate change consequences; cross-border organised crime and its impact on free movement; a common charger for mobile radio equipment; the gender pay gap; and the ‘Housing First’ approach to address homelessness. Continue reading
Use of financial data for preventing and combatting serious crime [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 17 April 2018, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a directive intended to facilitate law enforcement authorities’ access to and use of financial information held in other jurisdictions within the EU for investigations related to terrorism and other serious crime. Continue reading
Mutual recognition of freezing and confiscation orders [EU Legislation in Progress]
In order to respond more effectively to the challenge of criminals and terrorists hiding assets in other Member States, in 2016 the European Commission proposed a regulation on the mutual recognition of freezing and confiscation orders in criminal matters. Continue reading
Area of freedom, security and justice: Untapped potential
Since the entry into force of the 1997 Treaty of Amsterdam, the EU offers its citizens an area of freedom, security and justice (AFSJ). Continue reading
Tax Transparency [Topical Digest]
Updated on 15 April 2016 Tax transparency has once again hit the headlines with outcry across the world over the leaked ‘Panama Papers’, which highlight that tax avoidance and evasion is practised by individual taxpayers, and not just by multinational enterprises (which were already under scrutiny following the ‘Lux-leaks’ affair). The European Union works actively … Continue reading
Wildlife trafficking in Africa: Endangered security
Written by Eric Pichon. [last update 5 April 2016] Illegal exploitation of natural resources, hunting of protected wild animals and trade of the proceeds of these crimes are a serious threat for Africa. As an environmental problem, it hinders the survival of endangered species, and the balance of flora and fauna in the concerned areas. … Continue reading
Organised Crime and Corruption: Cost of Non-Europe Report
Written by Wouter van Ballegooij and Thomas Zandstra, This study demonstrates the need to tackle organised crime and corruption together as the two are in a mutually reinforcing relationship. Organised crime groups attempt to regulate and control the production and distribution of a given commodity of service unlawfully. In so doing, their aim is to … Continue reading
Organised crime in the European Union
Written by Piotr Bąkowski It is impossible to measure accurately the socio-economic cost of crime. However, the estimates available invariably quote very high figures, which lead to reflection in times of financial crisis and austerity. Numerous organised crime groups are active in the EU, often with cross-border reach and multi-ethnic composition. There is a clear … Continue reading
Illicit small arms and light weapons: International and EU action
Written by Carmen-Cristina Cîrlig Small arms and light weapons (SALW) are the main tools used in today’s conflicts, be they inter-state wars, civil wars or the actions of organised crime, and the cause of the majority of deaths from armed violence in the world – of combatants, but also, and mainly, of civilians. As past efforts have mostly been … Continue reading
Understanding hybrid threats
Written by Patryk Pawlak ‘Hybrid threats’ are often invoked in reference to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the ISIL/Da’esh campaign in Iraq. As policy-makers struggle to grasp what hybrid threats mean for national security, it is pertinent to recall the origins, the meaning, and legal challenges associated with this concept. Evolving security environment Concerns … Continue reading
NGOs and money laundering: Adapting EU rules to engage NGOs better
Written by Gianluca Sgueo Money laundering (ML) is a major global concern. The minimum identifiable direct costs of organised crime in the European Union (EU) are estimated at around €166 billion a year. Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency and Eurojust, the EU’s Judicial Cooperation Unit, estimate the minimum costs of fighting organised crime at … Continue reading
Justice and home affairs after the Stockholm Programme
The past 15 years have brought some major developments in the area of freedom, security and justice with the adoption of a large number of legal instruments covering a wide range of subject matters and procedures. The European Commission has brought forward more than 50 initiatives in this area in the last four years. The … Continue reading
Lutte de l’UE contre la fraude et l’évasion fiscales
La fraude et l’évasion fiscales pèsent sur les budgets et les contribuables de l’Union européenne (UE) car, en permettant à certains de ne pas payer ou de moins payer d’impôts, elles privent les budgets de recettes fiscales. Pour réintégrer les recettes fiscales non perçues, la lutte contre la fraude et l’évasion fiscales doit être coordonnée, … Continue reading
Corruption in Russia
Corruption in Russia is deeply entrenched and permeates all levels of Russian society. It causes significant financial loss to the Russian economy in terms of gross domestic product and considerably lowers the country’s attractiveness as a foreign direct investment destination. Despite a recent positive trend, as evidenced by various international indicators measuring the perception of corruption, Russia continues to lag … Continue reading
The revision of EU anti-money laundering tools
Following developments in international anti-money laundering (AML) standards, the European Commission has proposed to revise two major EU instruments in order to strengthen the AML framework and, at the same time, make it more flexible. EU anti-money laundering efforts in the international context Non-binding, but universally recognised recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (or … Continue reading
La confiscation des produits du crime dans l’UE
2 language versions available in PDF format English version: Confiscation of the proceeds of crime in the EU German version: Einziehung der Erträge aus Straftaten in der EU La confiscation des avoirs d’origine criminelle est nécessaire à la prévention et à la lutte contre la criminalité organisée. À l’échelle internationale, des conventions des Nations Unies et du … Continue reading
Action de l’UE visant à réduire le commerce illicite du tabac
English version: EU action to reduce illicit trade in tobacco products Le commerce illicite des produits du tabac prive l’Union européenne (UE) et les États membres de recettes douanières et fiscales considérables. Cette activité criminelle particulièrement lucrative sape en outre les politiques de santé publique, menace les entreprises légales et participe au financement du crime organisé. La coopération internationale en matière de lutte contre … Continue reading
Droits des victimes de la criminalité: État des lieux et perspectives de l’action de l’UE
English language version available in PDF format Rights of victims of crime: State of play and prospects for EU action Chaque année, de nombreuses personnes sont victimes de la criminalité dans l’Union européenne (UE). Être victime peut avoir de lourdes conséquences. Des difficultés particulières peuvent surgir lorsque l’acte criminel survient dans un État membre autre … Continue reading
The EU response to organised crime
Both in the EU and elsewhere there is a strong consensus amongst states that combating organised crime requires common action. Therefore the EU’s policies have evolved in the context of manifold international efforts to tackle this threat. The EU has both co-drafted and drawn on international laws and standards. Whereas finding a definition of organised … Continue reading
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