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On 12 March, the European Commission presented a proposal for new rules to reinforce the fight against organised crime, which notably include simplified procedures for the confiscation and freezing of assets linked to criminal activities in member states. If the proposal is approved, assets belonging to criminals could be frozen before they are tried and national authorities will be able to investigate assets belonging to criminals who are already serving sentences in prison. Finally, national authorities will have the right to take charge of assets belonging to criminals who are deceased, on the run or infirm.
Although it welcomes the proposal presented by Home Affairs Commissioner, Cécilia Malmström, Dagens Nyheterwarnsthat there is a risk that it will undermine individual rights -
If authorities believe that a person has transferred money to his or her spouse or children, it will be possible to freeze the assets of the relatives concerned. What exactly the proposal intends in such cases is not clear and there is a risk that it could be used against innocent people. [...] Errors will certainly occur in member states. And who will defend the rights of those affected?
Dagens Nyheter expresses its concern that the EU judicial system which is currently being created could be “heavily weighted in favour of police and prosecutors”.
