Crime and punishment: an in-depth analysis of security issues in the European Union. EUMA Papers Vol. 6, No. 11, June 2009

摘要

Introduction. The third pillar of the European Union, known as Justice and Home Affairs is paramount to European Union security. The pillar consists of a variety of security issues, two of which are crime and terrorism. As history has shown, the European Union has continually worked to protect the freedoms it has provided its citizens; however, criminals and terrorists have taken advantage, and continue to look to take advantage of, these freedoms in order to conduct their activities and carry out their operations. Yet, advances in crime-fighting and counter-terrorism have worked to thwart many of these criminal activities, thereby creating a safer and more secure European Union. An in-depth overview and analysis of the counter-measures and institutions implemented by the European Union clearly indicates that the European Union is serious about protecting its citizens. Institutions such as Europol, Eurojust, and FRONTEX have helped to foster communication and information-sharing among European Union member-states. Yet, it is important to recognize that despite the European Union's best efforts, there is still much progress to be made. Within existing institutions, there still exist standard bureaucratic and political setbacks that accompany a body as large as the European Union. A combination of historical review and present-day analysis serves to provide an overview regarding the topics of organized crime, drugs, terrorism, and the countermeasures to these issues. These concepts are explored within in order to provide a complete and thorough understanding of the security issues facing the European Union, and its plans to counter these threats.