Brussels, 21/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - After reaching broad agreement at the last JHA Council (justice and home affairs) the EU Council of Ministers adopted without debate on Thursday 20 October the draft directive on the granting of European protection to victims of crime or people likely to become victims of crime who move to another EU member state. The new rules cover life-endangering crimes or attacks on a person's body, mindset or sexuality and infringements of personal freedom with the aim of preventing further attacks and reducing the impact of earlier crimes.
The European Parliament must now endorse the draft in plenary as the final stage in the legislative process and is expected to agree very quickly in second reading. The Polish Presidency hopes the legislation can be passed this year. The directive will then need to be tranposed by all the member states into their legal systems within the next three years. The directive was suggested by 12 member states in 2009. (SP/transl.fl)