Working together

Drugs and the darknet: a growing threat to health and security

Illicit trade on darknet markets is one sign of the increasingly complex nature of transnational organised crime in the European Union. In a joint publication, Drugs and the darknet: perspectives for enforcement, research and policy (November 2017), the EMCDDA and Europol present the latest understanding of how darknet markets function, the threats they pose to health and security and how Europe can respond.

EU Drug Markets Report

The latest EU Drug Markets Report, from the EMCDDA and Europol (April 2016), provides a unique insight into the operations of illicit drug markets in the EU and assesses their ramifications for society. The report reviews the markets for cannabis, heroin, cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA and new psychoactive substances and presents concrete action points to inform policy development at EU and national level. The extensive 188-page In-depth Analysis (EN), covers trends along the supply chain from production and trafficking to marketing, distribution and consumption. It is accompanied by a Strategic Overview (ES, DE, EN, FR, PT), providing a summary of key findings as well as additional supporting material. These products combine the EMCDDA’s drug monitoring and analytical capacity with Europol’s operational intelligence on trends in organised crime.

New psychoactive substances in Europe: legislation and prosecution

The first joint publication from the EMCDDA and Eurojust — the EU’s judicial cooperation unit — focuses on New psychoactive substances in Europe: legislation and prosecution — current challenges and solutions (November 2016). The rapid evolution of the European market for new psychoactive substances has challenged national authorities to find suitable and efficient responses to the public health and judicial problems caused by these substances. This publication examines different control mechanisms and their implications

Boosting the security community

The European agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (eu-LISA) and Europol, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior of Estonia, joined forces in November 2017 to host a meeting gathering national, European and international security experts. The meeting brought together members of the eu-LISA Security Officers Network (SON) and Europol Security Committee (ESC). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss security-related topics, exchange best practice and explore areas for future cooperation in information security and business continuity. The event furthered efforts to strengthen the connections between the members of the SON and the ESC, enhance the existing cooperation between Europol and eu-LISA and provide added value to both agencies and their stakeholders.

eu-LISA conference brings together JHA agencies

eu-LISA hosted its 4th annual conference in Tallinn from 17–18 October 2017. The event brought together government representatives, thought leaders, practitioners and other agency stakeholders to discuss the most relevant topics related to the evolution of the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) domain.

‘Going Digital for a Safe and Secure Europe’ was an important forum in which responses to current challenges — e.g. irregular migration, cross-border crime and terrorism — were addressed and approaches to advancement considered. Participants from EASO, Eurojust, Europol, FRA, Frontex and eu-LISA contributed to the event and were actively engaged in discussions about digital transformation in the JHA area, interoperability for internal security, data protection and fundamental rights. The 2017 conference was supported by the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

A retrospective view of the event can be found on the dedicated conference webpage
Videos of Day 1 and Day 2 are also available.

Training and professional learning activities

eu-LISA and CEPOL contribute to more effective professional learning activities by jointly organising an annual course ‘Train the trainers — SIS II, VIS, Eurodac IT operators’. The aim of the training is to enable participants to: identify the characteristics of adult learning; acquire knowledge and practical skills on how to carry out efficient training; and facilitate and moderate learning processes by implementing appropriate learning methods and coaching. The target audience of the training is national trainers/experts keen to increase their competence in adult training and towards understanding the use of ICT- supported learning in professional training.

No More Ransom!

The No More Ransom (NMR) project, launched in July 2016 by the Dutch National Police, Europol, Intel Security and Kaspersky Lab, seeks the continuous evolution of cooperation between law enforcement and the private sector to fight ransomware together. Via the NMR website users can find information on what ransomware is and how to protect themselves. Equally importantly, victims can find tools to help them decrypt their blocked devices for free. eu-LISA and other JHA agencies are actively engaged in the project by being recognised partners.

Working towards interoperability

2017 has seen intensive work on the part of the High Level Expert Group (HLEG) on Information Systems and Interoperability, set up by the European Commission in June 2016, with significant contributions from EASO, eu-LISA, Europol, Frontex and FRA. The expert group identifies and addressed shortcomings and information gaps caused by the complexity and fragmentation of information systems at European level. It was given a core task of elaborating on the legal, technical and operational aspects of options to achieve interoperability of information systems, including their data protection implications. The group released its final report (May 2017) with conclusions and recommendations on existing systems, new systems, and interoperability; with special attention given to fundamental rights and data protection. A number of follow-up studies have been undertaken following the conclusion of the work so that the vision of interoperable systems outlined can be realised. JHA agencies have a significant role in many of the planned activities.

Fundamental rights training for border guards

The Fundamental Right Agency (FRA), Frontex and experts from the EU Member States have closely cooperated to draft a training manual for frontline border guards. It is a challenging task to uphold and safeguard fundamental rights in such an environment with challenging conditions. The manual provides hands-on practical advice to border guards to enable them to work to the highest professional and ethical standards.

Fundamental rights-based police training

In cooperation with CEPOL and national police academies, FRA has developed a training manual that translates ‘high’ principles into specific practical exercises. The manual aims to facilitate police work and support police officers in internalising the concepts that drive human rights-based policing, helping to ensure that they are equipped to make the right choices in their daily work. The manual focuses on crucial police-related issues such as diversity and non-discrimination, the absolute prohibition of torture and the human rights of police officers. Tried and tested with different police academies in the Member States, the manual is intended as a practical tool for implementing fundamental rights-based policing in the EU.

FRA provides approximately 10 webinars to CEPOL’s audience on a variety of fundamental rights topics.

FRA provides human rights advice through Frontex consultative forum

The forum comprises 15 members including FRA and EASO. The forum serves as an independent body which advises FRA’s Management Board as well as its Executive Director on all fundamental rights matters. It offers strategic advice on how Frontex can structurally improve respect for fundamental rights in its various activities. According to Art. 26a of Frontex Regulation, the forum is to be consulted on matters such as the further development and implementation of the Fundamental Rights Strategy, codes of conduct and common core curricula and shall have access to all information related to the respect of fundamental rights in all its activities. An annual report provides information on recommendations and activities.