Brussels, 07/01/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 7 January, the Spanish Presidency unveiled a legislative proposal to protect victims of domestic violence in the EU. If adopted, the draft directive on a European victim protection order would allow member states to recognise and apply victim protection measures ordered in another member state. For example, a violent husband, on whom Spanish courts had put a restraining order preventing him going near his wife after his being convicted of violence towards her, would be subject to the order no matter the county to which his wife may decide to move. A number of delegations, such as the United Kingdom's, however, believe that the proposal raises the issue of the legal basis. Several countries' legal systems make preventive measures related to victim protection a civil, rather than a criminal, matter. Other delegations fear that Europe-wide protection measures may be not only disproportionate, given the potential number of people involved, but also difficult to apply, for example, when victims travel to another European country on holiday. For more information see EUROPE 10035. (B.C./transl.rt)