Strasbourg 28 May 2013
CCPE-GT(2013)5
WORKING GROUP OF THE
CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN PROSECUTORS
(CCPE-GT)
Report of the 12th meeting
Strasbourg, 21 and 22 March 2013
Document prepared by the Secretariat
Directorate General I - Human Rights and Rule of Law
I. INTRODUCTION
II. COMMUNICATION BY THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE BUREAU AND WORKING GROUP OF THE CCPE
III. PREPARATION OF OPINION No. 8 ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROSECUTORS AND MEDIA
- Draft structure of Opinion No. 8 (document CCPE-GT(2013)3);
- Summary of the replies to the questionnaire by the member States (document CCPE-GT(2013)2)[1];
- Thoughts for reflection and key issues (document CCPE-GT(2013)1).
- Introduction (reference texts, scope and purpose of the Opinion);
- Basic principles (like freedom of expression, rights to information, fair trial, privacy and dignity, presumption of innocence and other key rights and principles);
- Why prosecutors communicate with media (information on the proper functioning of justice system as a necessity in a democratic society; need of transparency; accountability of the prosecution services to the public; communication as a tool of investigation and other aspects);
- What and how do prosecutors communicate with media (proactive media approach; what kind of information may be disclosed by prosecutors and at which stages in the procedure; issue of prosecution services’ spokespersons and other relevant issues);
- Challenges (such as, for example, finding a proper balance between the reasons to communicate and the rights of the parties and individuals; respect of confidentiality, different risks associated with disclosure of information etc.);
- Possible solutions (training including joint events where possible; media policy; codes of ethics; avoiding discrimination or improper privileged relations with media or journalists; developing best practices at domestic and international level and other suggestions);
- Conclusions and recommendations.
IV. COOPERATION WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE ON CRIME PROBLEMS (CDPC)
V. OTHER BUSINESS
14. The members of the CCPE-GT and Secretariat discussed the issue of promoting the CCPE website and raising public awareness about it. Mr Antonio MURA mentioned that he gave suggestions to the Secretariat on how to improve the website. He underlinedin particular the importance of every CCPE member contributing to the website and especially to its country pages which as a result may regularly be updated. The current news may also be included.
15. It was also suggested that as many documents as possible, concerning the work of prosecutors, topics of informational value, legislative and regulatory texts and information on developments in the member States, should be available on the website.
16. The issue of further development and promotion of the website will be put in the agenda of the CCPE’s plenary meeting focusing on how to use it in a more active manner so that it becomes a platform for the exchange of information.
AGENDA / ORDRE DU JOUR
1. Opening of the meeting / Ouverture de la reunion
2. Adoption of the agenda / Adoption de l’ordre du jour
3. Communication by the President, members of the Bureau and the Secretariat / Communication du Président, des membres du Bureau et du Secrétariat
4. Preparation of the CCPE Opinion No.8 on the relationship between prosecutors and media / Préparation de l’Avis n°8 sur les relations entre procureurs et médias
5. Exchange of views on the opportunity to update Recommendation Rec(2000)19 on the role of public prosecution in the criminal justice system / Echange de vues sur l’opportunité de mettre à jour la Recommandation Rec(2000)19 sur le rôle du ministère public dans le système de justice pénale
6. Participation of CCPE in preparing the draft international convention to combat the manipulation of sports competitions / La participation du CCPE dans la préparation d’un projet de convention internationale contre la manipulation des compétitions sportives
7. Other work of the CCPE / Autres travaux du CCPE
8. Any other business / Divers
APPENDIX II
DRAFT STRUCTURE OPINION No. 8 OF THE CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL OF EUROPEAN PROSECUTORS ON RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROSECUTORS AND MEDIA
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INTRODUCTION (secretariat)
A. Reference texts
- Terms of Reference of the CCPE for 2012-2013
- European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
- Convention for the Protection of Individuals with regard to Automatic Processing of Personal Data (ETS No. 108)
- Recommendation Rec(2000)19 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the role of public prosecution in the criminal justice system
- Recommendation Rec(2002)2 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on access to public documents
- Recommendation Rec(2003)13 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the provision of information through the media in relation to criminal proceedings
- Recommendation Rec(2012)11 of the Committee of Ministers to member States on the role of public prosecution outside criminal law field
- Opinion No. 4 (2009) of the CCPE on judges and prosecutors in a democratic society, or “Bordeaux Declaration”
- Opinions of the CCJE No. 7 (“Justice and society”) and 11 (“Justice and information technologies (IT)”)
- United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (Beijing Rules) (adopted by the General Assembly in its Resolution 40/33 of 29 November 1985)
B. Scope and purpose of the Opinion
(i) Scope
• The present Opinion concerns all kinds of prosecutorial activities within as well as outside criminal field
• The Opinion is addressed to prosecutors and is not intended to issue recommendations for journalists
(ii) Purpose
• Establish the transparency necessary in a democratic society
• Contribute to a better justice
• Need to focus on problems in the state members and to propose specific solutions.
1. BASIC PRINCIPLES (P.POLT and J.MIGUEL)
In accordance with the ECHR and general principles of justice, all the communications with media must always respect the following rights and principles[2]:
Compilation of ECtHR relevant case law: (SECRETARIAT)
2. Why prosecutors communicate with media? (r.TOIVIAINEN, A.GIRALDI andn.HARUTiUNYAN).
· A proactive media approach can only be applied when combined with the need to be prudent (necessity to respect the principle of proportionality in communication).Cooperation or interaction with media. Coordination with other institutions
· What kind of information may be disclosed by prosecutors and at which stages in the procedure can information be communicated to the media?
· Are prosecutors authorised to have direct relations with the media? All prosecutors or spokespersons? If yes, status of spokespersons (journalists or prosecutors). Specialised office within the prosecution service for communication with media
· Shall communication be established with all media or only with some? Right to exclude some media?
· Communication and interaction through traditional means of communication and/or new media (internet[5], social media etc.)
· In order to offer an objective perspective, the public prosecution service may, if appropriate, cooperate with police and other investigative bodies when preparing and releasing press notes.
4. Challenges (c.visard, H.DUrsun andj-p dreno)
5. possible solutions (H.Range and O. de Baynast)
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
APPENDIX III
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
MEMBERS OF CCPE-GT / MEMBRES DU CCPE-GT
ARMENIA / ARMENIE
Ms Nelly HARUTIUNYAN, Head of Department, Office of the Prosecutor General, Yerevan
FRANCE (excused / excusé)
Mr Olivier de BAYNAST, Procureur Général, Cour d'Appel de Douai, Douai
GERMANY / ALLEMAGNE (substitute member / membre suppléant)
Mr Harald RANGE, Generalbundesanwalt beim Bundesgerichtshof, Karlsruhe
HUNGARY / HONGRIE
Mr Peter POLT, Prosecutor General of Hungary, Budapest
IRELAND / IRLANDE
Mr Peter McCORMICK, Prosecutor, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutors, Dublin
MONACO
Mr Jean-Pierre DRENO, Procureur Général, Parquet Général, Monaco
PORTUGAL
Mr João Manuel DA SILVA MIGUEL, EUROJUST, The Hague, The Netherlands
Russian Federation / Fédération de Russie
Mr Alexander Grigorievich ZVYAGINTSEV, Deputy Prosecutor General, Office of theProsecutor General, Moscow
Mr Vladimir P. ZIMIN, First Deputy Head, General Department of International Legal Cooperation, Office of the Prosecutor General, Moscow
Mr Vladimir DOBRITSA, Vice-Chief of Executive Secretariat, Office of the Prosecutor General, Moscow
Spain / Espagne
Mr Antonio VERCHER NOGUERA, Deputy Attorney General, Madrid
TURKEY / TURQUIE
Mr Hasan DURSUN, Judge, High Council of Judges and Prosecutors, Ankara
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MEMBERS OF CCPE-BU / MEMBRES DU CCPE-BU
BELGIUM / BELGIQUE
Mr Cedric VISART de BOCARME, Chef de Cabinet, Ministère de l’Intérieure, Bruxelles
DENMARK / DANEMARK
Ms Alessandra GIRALDI, Assistant Deputy Director, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Copenhagen
FINLAND / FINLANDE
(Vice-President of CCPE /Vice-Président du CCPE)
Ms Raija TOIVIAINEN, State Prosecutor, Head of the International Unit, Helsinki
Italy / Italie
(President of CCPE/Président du CCPE)
Mr Antonio MURA, Deputy Prosecutor General of the Supreme Court, Roma
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COUNCIL OF EUROPE’S SECRETARIAT /
SECRETARIAT DU CONSEIL DE L’EUROPE
Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law/
Direction Générale des droits de l’homme et de l’état de droit
Division for the independence and efficiency of justice /
Division pour l’indépendance et l’efficacité de la justice
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: + 33 (0) 88 41 37 43
Ms Muriel DECOT, Secretary of the CCPE / Secrétaire du CCPE, tel: + 33 (0)3 90 21 44 55; e-mail: [email protected]
Mr Artashes MELIKYAN, Co-Secretary of the CCPE / Co-Secrétaire du CCPE, tel: + 33 (0)3 90 21 47 60; e-mail: [email protected]
Mr Jean-Pierre GEILLER, Documentation / Documentation, tel: + 33 (0)3 88 41 22 27; e-mail: [email protected]
Ms Annette SATTEL, Administration and Networks / Administration et Réseaux, tel: + 33 (0)3 88 41 39 04; e-mail: [email protected]
Ms Emily WALKER, Assistant / Assistant; tel: + 33 (0)3 90 21 48 39, e-mail: [email protected]
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INTERPRETERS / INTERPRETES
Ms Cynera JAFFREY
Ms Monique PALMIER
Mr Grégoire DEVICTOR
[1] See also the details of the 36 replies from member States: http://www.coe.int/t/dghl/cooperation/ccpe/opinions/travaux/travaux_8_EN.asp
[2] Including data protection. These principles are to be respected for all persons concerned, whether or not directly involved in legal proceedings.
[3] Including confidentiality of sources of information.
[4] As well as how the decisions are taken, how public resources are used etc.
[5] E.g. various issues related to internet.
[6] Differences of languages used by prosecutors and media: legal language of prosecutors versus everyday communication language of media. Specific mode of functioning by media: events-based approach versus the procedure-based work of the prosecution.
[7] E.g. High Council of Justice, Ethics Committees.