Press Release: Commission proposes to improve exchanges of information on criminal convictions

The European Commission on 13 October 2004 adopted and sent to the Council and the European Parliament a proposal for a decision designed to improve exchanges of information on criminal convictions. The flow of information on criminal convictions has become a priority at European Union level. Endorsed by the Extraordinary European Council on 25 and 26 March 2004 as part of the fight against terrorism, it was given further support at the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 19 July 2004 following the Fourniret affair. This tragic case of paedophilia brought to light a number of significant deficiencies in the exchange of data between Member States on the criminal records of individuals, and the Commission undertook to pursue vigorous action to improve the existing machinery, putting forward short and medium-term legislative initiatives.

European Commission: DG Justice and Home Affairs: Key issues: Criminal justice: Mutual assistance http://ec.europa.eu/comm/justice_home/fsj/criminal/assistance/fsj_criminal_assistance_en.htm

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