Organised Crime & Crime Prevention - what works? - Scandinavian ...

NSfK’s 40. forskerseminar, Espoo, Finland 1998
humans), trade in human beings, illegal trade in stolen motor vehicles, and terrorist
activities.4
4. Article 2 of the Europol Convention states:
•1. The objective of Europol shall be, within the framework of cooperation between the Member States pursuant
to Article K.1(9) of the Treaty on European Union, to improve, by means of the measures referred to in this
Convention, the effectiveness and cooperation of the competent authorities in the Member States in preventing
and combating terrorism, unlawful drug trafficking and other serious forms of international crime where there are
factual indications that an organized criminal structure is involved and two or more Member States are affected
by the forms of crime in question in such a way as to require a common approach by the Member States owing to
the scale, significance and consequences of the offenses concerned.
In order to achieve progressively the objective mentioned in paragraph 1, Europol shall initially act to prevent
and combat unlawful drug trafficking, trafficking in nuclear and radioactive substances, illegal immigrant
smuggling, trade in human beings and motor vehicle crime.
Within two years at the latest following the entry into force of this Convention, Europol shall also deal with
crimes committed or likely to be committed in the course of terrorist activities against life, limb, personal
freedom or property. The Council, acting unanimously in accordance with the procedure laid down in Title VI of
the Treaty on European Union, may decide to instruct Europol to deal with such terrorist activities before that
period has expired.
The Council, acting unanimously in accordance with the procedure laid down in Title VI of the Treaty on
European Union, may decide to instruct Europol to deal with other forms of crime listed in the Annex to this
Convention or specific manifestations thereof. Before acting, the Council shall instruct the Management Board to
prepare its decision and in particular to set out the budgetary and staffing implications for Europol.
Europol•s competence as regards a form of crime or specific manifestations thereof shall cover both:
1) illegal money-laundering activities in connection with these forms of crime or specific manifestations thereof;
2) related criminal offenses.
The following shall be regarded as related and shall be taken into account in accordance with the procedures set
out in Articles 8 and 10:
- criminal offenses committed in order to procure the means for perpetrating acts within the sphere of competence
of Europol;
- criminal offenses committed in order to facilitate or carry out acts within the sphere of competence of Europol;
- criminal offenses committed to ensure the impunity of acts within the sphere of competence of Europol.
(Europol Convention, 1995).
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