EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers approve proposals on the mutual
recognition of protection measures in civil matters at a Justice and Home
Affairs Council meeting in Brussels today. Key Data Protection reforms were
also discussed.
EU Justice Ministers, led by Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Equality and
Defence, Alan Shatter, have reached agreement with the European Parliament
on proposals aimed at protecting vulnerable citizens as they move between
Member States. The proposal on mutual recognition of protection measures
in civil matters will ensure that a protection order, such a barring order
for domestic violence, can still be enforced if the victim moves from one
EU Member State to another.
The agreement was reached on the second day of the Justice and Home Affairs
Council, chaired by Minister Shatter, which is taking place in Brussels
from 7-8 March.
Speaking after the Council, Minister Shatter said “The agreement reached on
the European protection order (civil) is an important step in improving the
rights of victims of crime in the EU and sends a strong signal that crime,
in particular gender based violence, harassment and intimidation, is
unacceptable in our society”.
The Minister added “This was very timely given that today is International
Women’s Day and this is a Regulation of exceptional importance to the lives
of women, in particular, who are more frequently victims of domestic
violence. They will now be able to rely on protection measures obtained
from a national authority when they travel to other Member States.”
Also on the agenda for Justice Ministers were new proposals aimed at
protecting the Euro from counterfeiting and the reform of the EU’s data
protection rules.
Achieving progress on the proposed data protection reforms is a key
priority of Ireland’s EU Presidency. Minister Shatter sought the support
of his colleagues for the Presidency’s approach on a number of issues in
the proposals relating, in particular, to a risk based approach and to
flexibility for the public sector.
Following constructive discussions on the data protection package the
Minister commented “Updating our data protection law is essential if the EU
is to take full advantage of opportunities available in the digital
economy. Individuals need to feel confident that they are protected doing
business online and businesses will benefit from the more streamlined and
simplified approach to regulation in the area. Only in this environment
will trade flourish and can Europe play a leading role in the digital
economy”.
Also agreed at the Council was an EU wide ban on the manufacturing and
marketing of the psychoactive substance 4-methylamphetamine – so called
4-MA. Between 2010 and 2012, this substance was linked to 21 fatalities in
4 Member States. The decision represents a further step in the European
response to tackling the growth in harmful new psychoactive substances
across Europe.