On Thursday 10 October, the European Commission sent letters of formal notice to 13 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic) urging them to promptly comply with Directive 2011/93/EU to combat the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children, as well as child pornography.
As a reminder, this Directive criminalises sexual abuse of children throughout Europe and provides for specific measures to combat the sexual exploitation of children online and sanctions for perpetrators (see EUROPE 10496/27).
Member States had until December 2013 to transpose EU rules into national law. "Given the very comprehensive nature of the Directive, many Member States have faced delays in the implementation of the new measures. However, in order to ensure effective protection of children against sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, all Member States must fully comply with the provisions of the Directive", the Commission emphasises in a statement.
The 13 Member States now have 2 months to reply to the Commission, failing which the Commission could send them a reasoned opinion. (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)