Bad News for Europe's Criminals
June 7, 2006
Freedom of movement within the European Union is one of its greatest advantages, not only for its law-abiding residents but also for its criminals. But inter-European networking has proved to be simpler for those with illegal intention than for law enforcement officials, hampered by legal systems that differ from country to country and technical and administrative limitations. The borders that have long been open to every else have just recently opened for the police.
Five EU countries -- Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany and Spain -- officially linked their criminal data bases on Tuesday, a step that Belgium Justice Minister Laurette Onkelinx considers "a small revolution."
Goodbye paper trail
In the past, public prosecutors investigating cross-border criminals were required to file a formal request in the language of the respective country -- which could easily cost weeks and lots of paperwork. With the new electronic version, it is now possible to access crucial information on suspects and criminals in just a matter of hours. The e-mailed request will even be answered in the language in which it was made.
Rather than entering each other's national criminal data banks, a central information hub has been established in Bonn. When, for example, information is needed on a French citizen, the French criminal data bank handles the request and forwards the details to the central hub via the European data network.
"It's about practical cooperation," German Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries told German public broadcaster WDR.
Just in time
Germany and France gave the impetus for the new criminal network in spring 2005, when they announced plans for its creation, together with Spain and Belgium. The Czech Republic joined the network during the course of its formation, and Luxembourg is on deck to become the group's sixth member.
Luxembourg's justice minister, Luc Frieden, pointed out that the network makes all the more sense for his small country because its three neighboring countries are all involved. Along with his counterparts in the other participating EU states, he was also optimistic that "this project will increase the security of Europe's citizens," WDR reported.
And, with the World Cup just days away, the timing couldn't be better.