Activites

• 1998/12/29 Final act published in Official Journal
• #2153
• 1998/12/21 Council Meeting
• 1998/12/21 End of procedure in Parliament
• 1998/12/21 Act adopted by Council after consultation of Parliament
• #2146
• 1998/12/03 Council Meeting
  • 2146
• 1997/11/20 Debate in Parliament
  • T4-0574/1997 summary

    In adopting the report by Mr Leoluca ORLANDO (V, I), the European Parliament has approved the draft joint action, subject to amendments designed to render the fight against criminal organizations more effective. Parliament calls on all Member States to agree on a common interpretation of the concept of 'criminal organization' and undertakes to ensure effective judicial cooperation in connection with offences punishable in the Union by criminal penalties. Parliament defines a criminal organization as an association of more than two persons acting in concert to commit crimes or other offences, in particular drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings, money laundering and other forms of financial crime, including financial fraud via the Internet or by way of electronic banking services, financial investments, extra-territorial privileges or tax fraud such as organized VAT and customs-duty fraud, terrorism, threat, violence, corruption, etc., or enlisting the support or protection of persons associated with important institutions to conceal or facilitate such offences. Parliament considers that the penalties for participation in the activities of a criminal organization should be at least three years. Finally, Parliament emphasizes the need to strengthen cooperation between countries applying for accession and the European Union's transatlantic partners in this field. �

• 1997/11/04 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A4-0349/1997
• 1997/10/01 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
• 1997/09/08 Legislative proposal published
  • 10407/1997 summary

    OBJECTIVE. Presentation of a draft joint action on the basis of Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union making it a criminal offence to participate in a criminal organization in the Member States of the European Union. SUBSTANCE. Given the serious nature and the development of certain forms of international organized crime, Member States decided to adopt a common approach regarding participation in the activities of criminal organizations under this draft joint action, each Member State will undertake to ensure effective cooperation regarding offences related to participation in the activities of a criminal organization and ensure that penal sanctions are applied in such cases. The offences concerned relate to terrorism, drugs trafficking or other acts of violence constituting a danger to the public at large. The draft gives a definition of 'criminal organization', leaving Member States full discretion to decide how to enforce penalties under national law. Member States are required to take steps to implement the joint action within one year from its entry into force, failing which they must at least cooperate with other Member States in this area. �

Documents

• Legislative proposal published: 10407/1997
• Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A4-0349/1997
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T4-0574/1997
• Debate in Council: 2146

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)