De inhoud van de regelgeving voor het vervoer van veroordeelde personen (en)

The key content of the regulations facilitating the transfer of sentenced persons was approved by the Justice and Home Affairs Council on Monday. The meeting was chaired by Finnish Minister of Justice Leena Luhtanen.

However, the Council failed to reach an unanimous decision. The final approval of the Framework Decision might therefore be passed on to the next President, Germany. The proposal has been subject to difficult negotiations during the Austrian and Finnish terms of Presidency.

The reform will increase the number of cases where the judgement is enforced in the sentenced person's home country, enhancing the possibility of social rehabilitation. With an opportunity to maintain linguistic, family and other links, the sentenced person will have the best chances to begin a life without crime. The new Framework Decision will also enable fast and effective transfer proceedings.

Today, the Ministers agreed that breaking the chain of repeated prison sentences is best achieved in the sentenced person's home country," said Ms Luhtanen, summing up the decision.

Previous sentences taken into account within the EU

The European Union Council adopted today a conclusion on taking into account of previous sentences in the course of new criminal proceedings in another Member State of the EU.

"This instrument is vital in promoting equal treatment of all offenders. The Framework Decision adds significant value to the proceedings, as currently the Member States' courts often do not take into account sentences passed abroad," said Ms Luhtanen, the Finnish Minister of Justice.

According to the new legislation, previous convictions handed down against the same person in another Member State are taken into account in new criminal proceedings with equivalent legal effects.

The Agency for Fundamental Rights targeted to begin work early next year

In connection with the Agency for Fundamental Rights, Finnish Minister of Justice Leena Luhtanen presented to the Council the Chairman's compromise proposal to solve the questions that have so far remained unresolved. The proposal was promoted by the Delegations, although the Parliament in one Member State will continue to discuss the matter on Monday night.

However, Chairman of the Council Ms Luhtanen hopes that the agreement on the Agency will be reached no later than on Tuesday, when the Council will move on to discuss home affairs. This would mean that the Agency will be operational early next year."Should this happen, we will fulfil the assignment given to us by the European Council. I believe the negotiations will result in an Agency that will improve the level of protection for fundamental rights in the European Union, adding significant value to the important work carried out by other institutions, such as the European Council," Ms Luhtanen said.

Future guidelines for justice affairs

Ms Luhtanen presented to the Council the Chairman's report on the progress made on the assessment of the Hague Programme. The report was chiefly based on the discussions held at the informal meeting of ministers in Tampere. The Ministers widely praised the Presidency for its handling of the matter in Tampere.

The Council adopted the conclusions on the Programme's assessment on Monday. According to Ms Luhtanen, these signify major progress in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice in Europe. The conclusions provide guidelines for developing an assessment system for the EU actions, strengthening the role of the European Court of Justice and updating the action plan for the Hague Programme.

"I am pleased with the overall success achieved during Finland's term of Presidency in promoting justice affairs. More than just general development of justice affairs, this will promote the progress of individual projects in the fields of criminal and civil law," added Ms Luhtanen. Further information:Sebastian Sass, EU Co-ordinator, tel. +358 9 1606 7520, mobile +358 50 525 2672, Senior Specialists Mari Aalto, mobile +32 475 973074, Harri Sivula, mobile +32 475 751495 and Joni Heliskoski, mobile +32 2 473 485 024, Legislative Counsellor Katariina Jahkola (transfer of prisoners), mobile +358 50 349 4664, Legislative Counsellor Päivi Leino-Sandberg (The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights), mobile +358 50 576 1575

During the meeting, representatives of the media can contact Mikko Norros, Press Counsellor, Finland's Permanent Representation in the EU, tel. +32 2 2878 456, + 32 478 626 928 and Pirkko Kauppinen, Head of Media and Communications Unit, +358 50 565 81 73