Brussels, 02/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 2 April, the European Parliament took a stance in favour of a measure intended to facilitate recognition of legal control decisions throughout the Union territory. MEPs were called upon to take a stance on a draft framework decision defining rules whereby a member state recognises a decision for placement under legal supervision given in another member state instead of provisional detention (EUROPE 9793). On the whole, this proposal was supported by MEPs who adopted the consultation report by Ioannis Varvitsiotis (EPP-ED, Greece) by 550 votes to 37 and 35 abstentions. According to estimates, nearly 10,000 EU nationals each year are placed in provisional detention in an EU country other than their usual country of residence. The Parliament was again consulted on the dossier as the scope of the framework decision has been enlarged in order to introduce the possibility, for the suspect, to request transfer of its dossier to a member state other than the state where he/she usually and legally resides. During the vote, MEPs mainly sought to clarify the definition of the term “residence”, and pointed out that any decision relating to individual freedom must only be adopted by legal authorities. They also hoped to add an article devoted to the protection of personal data. Finally, MEPs want member states to recognise cautionary release as a judiciary control measure. (B.C./transl.jl)