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EU: End game approaching for e-evidence negotiations, says French Presidency
Negotiations on the EU’s controversial “e-evidence” proposals may be coming to a close soon, according to a note circulated by the French Presidency of the Council on 16 June.
The proposals, which aim to ease cross-border requests for and exchange of electronic data for use in criminal cases, are made up of two new laws – a Regulation on European Production and Preservation Orders for electronic evidence in criminal matters, and a Directive laying down harmonised rules on the appointment of legal representatives for the purpose of gathering evidence in criminal proceedings.
The note was drawn up following the sixth “political trilogue” between the Council, Parliament and Commission on 14 June, and aims to consult the member states in preparation for “the next steps in the negotiations”.
Deportations: EU to push for new readmission agreements “using all levers and incentives available”
Council Presidency progress report from 9 June focusses on “operationalisation of the external dimension, including as regards returns”; protection of the external borders; member state solidarity; and “more effective implementation of the Dublin rules”.
The report highlights developments in “cooperation” with third countries to combat the “instrumentalisation of migration flows”, priorities for Frontex regarding external cooperation, the conflict in Ukraine and the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) since February 2022.
EU and USA set up “informal expert group” on mutual legal assistance and extradition
The EU and the USA are to set up an “informal expert group” aiming to “improve the practical implementation” of agreements on mutual legal assistance and extradition.
Negotiations on the EU’s controversial “e-evidence” proposals may be coming to a close soon, according to a note circulated by the French Presidency of the Council on 16 June.
The EU and the USA are to set up an “informal expert group” aiming to “improve the practical implementation” of agreements on mutual legal assistance and extradition.
Council Presidency progress report from 9 June focusses on “operationalisation of the external dimension, including as regards returns”; protection of the external borders; member state solidarity; and “more effective implementation of the Dublin rules”.
EU member states’ police forces will be able to transmit DNA and fingerprint data to the UK from 30 June, as part of post-Brexit cooperation on the ‘Prüm’ network of police databases.
The Roundup
Material we have shared on our Twitter and Facebookaccounts in the last fortnight, now categorised by theme:
“This “exclusionary zone” blocked aid, media and civil society groups from seeing what happened in this stretch of the border, where migrants & asylum seekers often attempted to cross into the EU”
Following the tragedy at the Melilla border fence on 24 June, in which at least 27 exiled people died, Migreurop publishes a communication to denounce a security-oriented & criminal migration regime that produces racist violence.
“The instrument brings into force around a third of the act’s 82 substantive sections in addition to the dozen or so provisions that automatically go live on that date”
Report by Amnesty details abuses against people who crossed into Lithuania from Belarus- treatment starkly contrasts with reception of people arriving from Ukraine.
“Walking Borders joined others in calling for an investigation into what ranks as the deadliest day in recent memory along the section of the EU’s only land border with Africa.”
“proposed legal reforms might weaken human rights protections… and it sends the wrong signal beyond the country’s borders at a time when human rights are under pressure throughout Europe”
“Footage of all police searches of black men aged between 18-34 are to be reviewed. The move comes as black and Asian men continue to be disproportionately affected by stop and search”
“The amended Regulation expands considerably the mandate with regard to exchanges of personal data with private parties, use of AI and processing of large datasets”
“Electronic intelligence from space has long been the business of intelligence agencies and military. Miniaturized tech and Musk’s SpaceX now make this interesting for border agencies”
“Among the legal review’s recommendations are that public use of live facial recognition (LFR) technology be suspended pending creation of a legally binding code of practice governing its use”
The New Dark Age 
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