EU Justice Policy

Key points

• The Committee notes that the policy objective of "enhancing mutual trust", is appropriate under the heading Justice. However, the Commission communication is rather vague and superficial. The Committee considers that successor instruments to former cooperation agreements should be drawn up.
• The Committee notes that striving for economic growth is recognised as an important priority, albeit on condition that sustainable growth is meant. Economic growth cannot, however, in itself be viewed as a policy objective of a justice policy that, having regard to the TFEU, is to be aimed at achieving a high level of security and easy access to justice, which cannot be subordinated to economic growth. This does not take away the fact that a properly functioning justice system within the Member States of the European Union can have a positive effect on sustainable economic growth.
• The policy objective "supporting mobility" can be linked to the objective of facilitating access to justice. It should however be emphasised that Title V does not only set "freedom" as an objective, but also security and justice, which can lead to restrictions on freedom. Rather than supporting mobility, the objective must be to ensure access to efficient justice serving citizens who exercise their right to free movement.
• The Committee also notes that the Commission's communication fails to mention a number of things that could contribute to achieving an area of freedom, security and justice, such as: introducing magistrates specialising in European law in the Member States; setting up operational European police forces and inspection services; considering if and which minimum rules should be established concerning the definition of criminal offences and sanctions in the areas of particularly serious crime with a cross-border dimension; considering the mandatory introduction of collective redress (class action); considering if it is desirable for a scoreboard to be maintained of achievements in the area of justice and, in particular, the implementation of the policy plans; and appointing a Commissioner responsible for human rights.