Data protection package on track: Commission proposal on new data protection rules in law enforcement area backed by Justice Ministers

Today, Ministers in the Justice Council have sealed an overall agreement on the EU’s Data Protection Directive for the police and criminal justice sector. Following the agreement reached in June 2015 on the Regulation (see IP/15/5176), today’s agreement means the EU is fully on track to finalise its data protection reform by the end of this year, as called for by the European Council. Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Věra Jourová welcomed today’s agreement: “The right to personal data protection is a fundamental right in the EU. Victims and witnesses, but also suspects of crimes have the right to have their data duly protected in the context of a criminal investigation or a law enforcement action.  The common rules and principles agreed upon today will ensure that. At the same time more harmonised laws will also make it easier for police or prosecutors to work together in cross-border investigations and to combat crime and terrorism more effectively across Europe.” The Data Protection Police Directive is a key contribution to the objectives set out in the EU’s Agenda on Security. More information available in the press release and a press conference will be live streamed via EbS at 15:00