RECENTLY ADOPTED CRIMINAL LAW FRAMEWORK DECISIONS

Newly-adopted criminal law measures, and a little more detail on others previously reported (to access the texts, go to http://eur-lex.europa.eu/JOIndex.do?ihmlang=en and enter the OJ reference in the search engine): 

• Council Framework Decision 2008/841/JHA (OJ L300 of 11/11/2008) on the fight against organized crime sets out a
  common definition of organized crime, and requires Member States to punish it.  
• Council Framework Decision 2008/913/JHA (OJ L 328 of 6/12/08) on racism and xenophobia, which renders criminal, public acts designed to incite violence or hatred, or trivializing genocide and similar atrocities.  
• Council Framework Decision 2008/919/JHA (OJ L330 of 09/12/08) amending FD Decision 2002/475/JHA on combating terrorism, so as to include 3 new offences: 

  

• public provocation to commit a terrorist offence; 
• recruitment for terrorism; and 
• training for terrorism.  

  

• Council Framework Decision 2008/977/JHA (OJ L 350 of 30/12/08 on the protection of personal data processed in the framework of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters 
it lays down rules on the exchange of personal data; sets minimum common standards on the confidentiality and security of the processing; on liability, and on the obligation to lay down penalties for unlawful use.

Council Framework Decision 2008/978JHA (OJ L 350 of30/12/08), creating the European Evidence Warrant for the purpose of obtaining existing objects, documents and data for use in proceedings in criminal matters from another Member State within a short time frame.

Council Framework Decision 2008/909/JHA (OJ L 327 of 05/12/08) on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to judgments in criminal matters imposing custodial sentences or measures involving deprivation of liberty for the purpose of their enforcement in the EU.

Council Framework Decision 2008/947/JHA (OJ L 337 of 16/12/08) on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to judgments and probation decisions; provides for the supervision of such alternative sanctions, in cases where e.g. offenders do not live in the State of conviction.