The Joint Board of Appeal of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs – European Banking Authority, European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, and European Securities and Markets Authority) unanimously decided that the appeal brought by Societatea de Asigurare-Reasigurare City Insurance SA against the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) is inadmissible. The appeal was brought in relation to a balance sheet review (BSR) exercise of the Romanian insurance sector that is carried out by the Autoritatea de Supraveghere Financiară with the support of EIOPA. 

Central to this appeal is the question if, and to what extent the appellant can challenge EIOPA’s role and its involvement in the Romanian BSR exercise via an appeal under Article 60 of the EIOPA Regulation. After careful consideration, the Board of Appeal unanimously decided that the appeal is inadmissible. The entire decision is available here.

Four have been arrested in a multi-agency operation sparked by a German investigation into one of Europe’s most prolific child sexual abuse platforms on the dark web.

These arrests were made in Germany (3) and Paraguay (1) earlier this month. The arrested individuals – all German nationals, had various roles in relation to the site seized. 

The dark web platform, known as Boystown, has been taken down by an international taskforce set up by the German Federal Criminal Police (Bundeskriminalamt) which included Europol and law enforcement agencies from the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, Canada and the United States. 

This site focused on the sexual abuse of children and had 400 000 registered users when it was taken down. Several other chat sites on the dark web used by child sexual offenders were also seized on the same occasion. 

The case illustrates what Europol is seeing in child sexual abuse offending: online child offender communities on the dark web exhibit considerable resilience in response to law enforcement actions targeting them. Their reactions include resurrecting old communities, establishing new communities, and making strong efforts to organise and administer them.

The image and video data seized during this investigation will be used for Victim Identification Taskforces organised on a regular basis at Europol. More arrests and rescues are to be expected globally as police worldwide examine the intelligence packages compiled by Europol.

The following authorities took part in this investigation:

• Germany: Federal Criminal Police (Bundeskriminalamt)
• The Netherlands: National Police (Politie)
• Sweden: National Police (Polisen)
• Australia: Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE), Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Queensland Police Service (QPS)
• United States: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
• Canada: Royal Canadian Mounted Police 

​​​​For Europe Day (9 May) this year, the EU institutions are throwing open their ‘virtual’ doors so that citizens across Member States can find out more about the European Union and what it does despite the pandemic. The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) will publish animated video about its premises, role and functioning. An ‘all EU-institution’ Europe Day portal presents the various bodies and activities. By hovering over a country on the portal’s interactive map, visitors will be able to find out what is going on close to them. Citizens will also be able to visit and interact with the EU institutions, such as the European Parliament, Council, the Commission and the European External Action Service. A virtual, immersive space will allow citizens to play games online, watch engaging videos and test their knowledge on the EU in general, as well as on themes related to a green and digital Europe. In this respect the CoR will let people test their knowledge about European regions and cities through a photo quiz on Instagram.

With a click, users can take part in online debates on EU topics and explore other online events. Through this portal and the recently launched multilingual digital platform for the Conference of the Future of Europe, citizens can engage with the EU and help shape its future. The Conference on the Future of Europe will also be officially launched on 9 May, at an online/hybrid event in Strasbourg. Citizens of all generations across Europe and the world are invited to join this unique Europe Day experience. For general information on Europe Day and the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950 please see here.

For information on CoR activities, see here.

At a time when independent and free media reporting is more essential than ever, press freedom continues to be under threat. Journalists continue to experience harsh working conditions with increasing financial and political pressure, surveillance, arbitrary prison sentences or violence for doing their work. According to the UNESCO Observatory, 76 journalists were killed since 2020, while many more were arrested, harassed or threatened worldwide. Of particular concern is gender-based violence targeting women journalists.

Press freedom is a fundamental value for the European Union underpinned by many recent initiatives. Media freedom and the safety of journalists are key priorities of the new Human Rights and Democracy Action Plan and of the European Democracy Action Plan. In 2020, more than 400 journalists benefited from the EU mechanism for protection of Human Rights Defenders, while the EU took important actions to support journalists, independent media and the fight against disinformation in the context of the pandemic in many regions.

In the past year the EU condemned on several occasions the intimidation and harassment that independent journalists suffer in countries around the world. The EU, including through its Special Representative for Human Rights, has continued to engage with persecuted independent journalists and intervened in support of detained journalists and bloggers.

EU Delegations are the voice of the EU on the ground. They have closely monitored court proceedings against journalists, spoken out against the repression of human rights defenders and media workers and raised concerns with national authorities over the proposed communication, media, information and broadcasting legislation.

The EU is determined to do more, in Europe and abroad. The EU will continue coordinating with international organisations and mechanisms and pioneer new approaches.  One example is the European Commission’s proposal for a Digital Services Act aimed at holding the major platforms accountable to make their systems fairer, safer and more transparent. We will also continue our action to counter disinformation and seek with all partners effective means to support sustainable business models for independent media.

Freedom of information and free speech must be promoted and protected everywhere. This is in everyone’s interest. The EU will continue speaking up against any restriction on freedom of expression and censorship, both online and offline, in violation of international human rights law. Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democratic societies, which can thrive only if citizens have access to reliable information and can make informed choices.  Press freedom means security for all.