Jonathan Faull on JHA Policy

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About this Event

08 Jun 2009

The future of Justice and Home Affairs in the European Union.

About the Speech:

Jonathan Faull spoke on the current state of Justice and Home Affairs Policy in the EU as well as future developments planned for the creation of an area of freedom, security and justice. He paid particular attention to the priorities of the Swedish Presidency for the latter half of 2009 and the Stockholm Programme, which is to be agreed at the European Council in December 2009 for the period 2010 to 2014. Policies falling under the area of JHA Policy affect every citizen of the EU on a daily basis and it is for this reason that it is one of the most important policy areas of the EU.

He spoke about the proposed changes to JHA Policy area under the Lisbon Treaty, if ratified, and the effect on the pillar structure of the EU. He explained that safeguards are provided for under the Lisbon Treaty so that national legal systems for criminal law are not threatened by moving this part of JHA Policy to the first pillar.

He also spoke about the present situation in areas such as illegal immigration, legal immigration, and asylum and those steps that should be taken to deal with difficulties arising in these areas. For illegal immigration, there is a need for cooperation with countries of origin and transit. There is a need for coordination and common understanding between EU Member States in the areas of migration and asylum. He then explained that the Stockholm Programme should also provide for making it easier for citizens to move around the EU without obstacles often raised by legal systems in Member States. In addition, there is a need for procedural rights for defendants and suspects.

Finally, Jonathan Faull discussed proposed changes under the Lisbon Treaty on fundamental rights.

About the Speaker:

Jonathan Faull has been the Director-General of DG Justice, Freedom and Security at the European Commission since 2003. The role of the European Commission’s DG Justice, Freedom and Security is to ensure an area of freedom, security and justice in the EU.

Jonathan Faull has held various posts in the European Institutions since 1978 including Director-General of DG Press and Communication and Deputy Director-General of DG Competition. He is also a Professor of Law at the Free University of Brussels, a Member of the Board at the Institute of European Studies in Brussels and from 1997-2001, he was a Visiting Fellow at the Centre for European Legal Studies, University of Cambridge.

This event is part of the Justice Group's ongoing research programme on Justice and Home Affairs Policy

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