CT-MENA project: Workshop on international judicial cooperation in Jordan
Within countries, judicial cooperation makes it possible to avoid the impunity of criminals and dismantle organised crime or terrorist networks. But this principle is seriously undermined by the globalisation of crime: both police officers and judges are faced with new forms of international crime (such as cybercrime) and the increase in international offences (such as illegal immigration, drug trafficking, terrorism and prostitution).
Yet unlike criminal action, the competence of both the judge and police officer stops at their borders, in accordance with the principle of national sovereignty. Consequently, inter-State cooperation on criminal matters has become essential.
Strong need for inter-State cooperation on criminal matters
“International judicial cooperation on criminal matters makes it possible to find a person, information, document and evidence which a judicial authority of a State needs and which is abroad, under the authority of another State”, explains Pierre Bellet, Strategy Director of the CT-MENA project. “It is up to the latter, called the requested State, to approve, in a sovereign manner, the enforcement of the judicial acts requested by the requesting State”, he adds.
For example, judicial cooperation may involve requesting a search warrant in another State or obtaining DNA samples from a suspect. It also covers the notion of extradition and the possibility of confiscating abroad property acquired through criminal acts.
To help Jordan build its operational capacities in this field, the CT-MENA project has organised a workshop in Amman, in the presence of the relevant Jordanian authorities, European experts and the project team.
Exchanges between Jordanian and European specialists
On 11 and 12 February, the workshop presented the general mechanisms for international judicial cooperation and the various ways of efficiently organising it and managing it at ministerial level, in conjunction with the competent court for terrorism matters. Four European magistrates were present alongside the CT-MENA project team to discuss with their Jordanian counterparts: Jacques Dallest, Public Prosecutor in Grenoble; Samuel Lainé, Vice-President of the Court of Bordeaux; Miriam Bahamonde, Prosecutor seconded to the Spanish Ministry of Justice; and Gordana Janicijevic, Prosecutor seconded to the Serbian Ministry of Justice.
The workshop consequently allowed an exchange of experience between practitioners. “This seminar provided the opportunity to establish trusted contacts between the European and Jordanian representatives, suggesting there will be a lasting relationship in the handling of future cases concerning terrorism”, explains Pierre Bellet.
This cooperation between the various actors on the ground will continue, with the possibility of a study visit in one of the European countries represented to study the ministerial and judicial institutions responsible for international cooperation on the fight against terrorism. The Jordanian participants also expressed keen interest in the adoption of the European model for national legislation on the rights of victims in the event of terrorist attacks and the creation of a specific compensation fund for victims of terrorism.
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