The European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, called on Member States to pay particular attention to the protection of victims of domestic violence, whose situation is aggravated by measures of isolation and social distancing.
"Special measures of support and protection for victims and witnesses of domestic violence should be therefore taken within the national COVID-19 emergency schemes", he wrote in a letter to European justice ministers published on Thursday 16 April.
The letter stresses the need to ensure effective access to psychological and social support services, both on- and off-line. It also encourages Member States to keep shelters and emergency housing available.
In his letter, the Commissioner also follows up on several issues discussed at the virtual meeting of EU Justice Ministers on 6 April (see EUROPE 12462/7), including the health situation in prisons.
He also reiterates the Commission's intention to set up a coordination group on the European Arrest Warrant in order to facilitate the implementation of this instrument during the pandemic. "The group may also be useful for other situations where a fast exchange between Member States is required, for example, in reaction to judgements of the CJEU, having a direct impact on the smooth functioning for the European Arrest Warrant", he says.
See the letter: https://bit.ly/3bh2uUh (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)