Aug72017

Trafficking for sexual exploitation: Bulgarian OCG dismantled

EU

07 August 2017

​An organised crime group (OCG) operating in the Sliven region of Bulgaria was dismantled following Eurojust’s coordination of five investigations of trafficking of human beings (THB) for the purpose of sexual exploitation of Bulgarian women to the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as money laundering.

These five investigations resulted in two separate international operations, Operation Palma and Operation Leerdam, and respectively the establishment of two joint investigation teams (JITs), which were set up and coordinated as well as financially supported by Eurojust.

OPERATION PALMA

Operation Palma was initiated by the Dutch authorities in 2013, investigating criminal activity of trafficking of human beings that took place between 2003 and 2010. Following the first coordination meeting at Eurojust in November 2015, the authorities of Bulgaria and the Netherlands set up a JIT in January 2016 to coordinate their investigative efforts. Within the framework of this JIT, between 4 and 11 October 2016, coordinated operations were carried out in Sliven, Bulgaria, and Utrecht and Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Two suspects were detained in Bulgaria, one of them on the basis of an European Arrest Warrant (EAW) issued by Prosecutors Office Utrecht and the other one for money laundering offences of large scale. At the same time in the Netherlands another suspect was arrested. During these coordinated operations a great number of witnesses were questioned in the Netherlands, Belgium and in Bulgaria (in Bulgaria by mixed Bulgarian/Dutch police-teams).

Searches and seizures were conducted in two different towns in Bulgaria. Photos and documents were seized, and the Bulgarian court imposed freezing orders on real estate and vehicle. The Dutch police is preparing a financial report concerning the illegally obtained profits by the main suspect in the Dutch case.

OPERATION LEERDAM

In November 2015, the Bulgarian authorities requested the support of Eurojust in another ongoing Dutch investigation, called Operation Leerdam, for trafficking of Bulgarian women to The Netherlands and Belgium.

Eurojust was instrumental in detecting links between the investigations carried out by the Bulgarian and Dutch authorities within the framework of Operation Palma and Operation Leerdam, and another ongoing investigation in Belgium on sexual exploitation in Antwerp and Brussels of victims of Bulgarian nationality.

In February 2016, Eurojust organised a joint coordination meeting during which prosecutors, investigators and police officers from Belgium, Bulgaria and the Netherlands in charge of the 5 linked investigations gathered for the first time to discuss and agree on a coordinated approach to dismantle the OCG. The meeting was attended by twenty-five participants, including Europol officials. As a result of the coordination meeting, Belgium, Bulgaria, and the Netherlands set up a new JIT in Operation Leerdam to define and execute a common case strategy to ensure that the actions in one case would not interfere with the investigations in the other case.

In the framework of an international specialized operation, on 27 September 2016, the leader and two members of the OCG were arrested in Amsterdam. In Bulgaria, six other members of the OCG were arrested pursuant to EAWs and subsequently surrendered to the Belgian and Dutch authorities. One person was arrested in Germany based on a EAW issued by the Netherlands. Ten simultaneous searches were carried out in four different towns in Bulgaria. Evidence and documents related to the OCG were found and seized, as well as cash and drugs. Witnesses were questioned in Belgium, Bulgaria and the Netherlands. During all the investigative actions that took place in Bulgaria, members of the JIT from the Netherlands, including the prosecutor supervising the investigation in Utrecht, were present.

Eurojust supported the activities of the national authorities participating in these two separate JITs, including providing both investigation teams with significant logistical and financial assistance, which in the end amounted to approximately EUR 90 000.

Dimitar Hadzhiyski, Assistant to the National Member for Bulgaria at Eurojust, said: ‘For the first time Eurojust facilitated the coordination between two separate JITs. Due to the active involvement of Eurojust, the links between all five national investigations carried out in Bulgaria, the Netherlands and Belgium were established, proper planning of the investigative activities was performed, which resulted in a very successful coordinated operation, dismantling the activities of the OCG. ’

Aug72017

‘Don’t turn a blind eye’ to dire situation of children in DR Congo’s Kasai region – UNICEF

United Nations

7 August 2017 – The world must not turn a blind eye to the dire situation of children and families in the Grand Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said today, stressing that nothing can justify terrible acts of abuse against women and children.

&#8220Children and women tell us of terrible acts of abuse. Many children have been recruited by armed forces, drugged and caught in the violence. Nothing can justify these actions,&#8221 said Marie-Pierre Poirier, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, in a statement.

Over the past 12 months, more than 1.4 million people &#8211 including 850,000 children &#8211 have been forced from their homes, and their lives turned upside down by widespread acts of extreme violence. More than 200 health centres have been destroyed, and one in four health centres is no longer functioning normally. An estimated 400,000 children are at risk of severe acute malnutrition.

Children have lost a year of education, as hundreds of schools have been targeted and looted, teachers killed or fled for safety. Teachers are not able to go to work, while parents are scared to send their children to school.

She urged all parties to the conflict to protect children, end grave violations against children, and preserve schools and health services.

&#8220Humanitarian actors must have unhindered humanitarian access to affected populations so that we can reach all those in need of assistance,&#8221 she said.

UNICEF is responding to the escalating humanitarian needs, &#8220but unless this violence stops, our best work will never be enough,&#8221 she said. &#8220The lives of many thousands of children are at risk.&#8221

Aug72017

Press release: Independent review of S4C launched

HM Government

The UK Government has today announced that Euryn Ogwen Williams will lead an independent review of the Welsh broadcaster S4C.

The review will look at key parts of the organisation including S4C’s remit, governance, accountability and its partnership with the BBC and current funding methods.

UK Government in Wales Minister Guto Bebb made the announcement during a visit to the National Eisteddfod on Anglesey where it was also confirmed that BBC will provide a one off payment of support of £350,000 in 2017/18 to provide further stability during the review period.

Euryn Ogwen Williams said:

It’s a great honour to be asked to lead the review of S4C at a critical time for the organisation as it meets the challenges of the rapidly changing media landscape. The next decade will be even more challenging as S4C, like all public service broadcasters, nurtures the relationship with its audiences in the digital world. It must also play a vital role in the development of the Welsh language at a critical time in its history.

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said:

Euryn has great experience in Welsh broadcasting and was the first Director of programmes when S4C was set up in 1982. His excellent understanding of Welsh broadcasting and the Welsh language, culture and society will only benefit the progress of this important review.

UK Government in Wales Minister Guto Bebb said:

S4C and the wealth of content it produces makes an important contribution to cultural and economic life in Wales, to the prosperity of the Welsh language and to the strength of our creative sector.

The UK Government has repeatedly emphasised its commitment to a strong and independent Welsh language TV service. We are delighted that Mr Williams has agreed to lead this important, independent review. He is tasked with the job of assessing S4C’s remit, the way in which it is funded and its governance with a view to ensuring that the broadcaster can continue to invest in high-quality programming and meet the needs of Welsh speaking audiences long into the future.

Huw Jones, Chair of S4C Authority said:

We welcome the Government’s announcement regarding the review of S4C, and that Euryn Ogwen Williams, an experienced broadcaster and perceptive analyst of the future of the media, has been appointed to lead the review.

The review will be a key opportunity to note the importance the S4C service’s unique contribution to the culture and economy of Wales and the United Kingdom, and to the future of the Welsh language.

Recommendations from the review will be presented to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) later this year.

The Government announced in March that it will provide an additional £350,000 of capital funding to S4C for 2017/18 to help it upgrade technical and IT equipment. The Secretary of State decided that this level of funding should continue for the second half of the year.

Notes to editors:

  1. Euryn Ogwen Williams was the First Director of Programmes when S4C was set up in 1982 and then became the deputy CEO in 1988 until 1991. He has over 50 years of broadcasting experience in Wales, as well as a deep knowledge of the Welsh language, Welsh culture and society.

  2. The terms of reference of the review are available here [ADD LINK TO GOV.UK]

Aug72017

News story: Prime Minister reappoints Royal Museums Greenwich Trustees

HM Government

Joyce Bridges CBE was an English Heritage (EH) Commissioner and Chair of EH’s London Advisory Committee from 2003 until 2011. She was also a Commissioner for the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) from 2006 until 2011. She is currently a member of Historic England’s Urban Panel and CABE’s Built Environment Expert panel. She has provided professional advice to a variety of bodies including the Heritage Lottery Fund, former Regional Development Agencies and government departments. A former civil servant, she held director level posts in the then ODPM and the Government Office for London, where she advised successive Secretaries of State on planning in London. She played a leading role in the transformation of Trafalgar Square and Somerset House and in the creation of new Thames piers and river services. She was awarded a CBE in 2001.

Joyce has been reappointed for a second term of four years starting on 12 September 2017 and ending on 11 September 2021

Carol Marlow joined P&O Steam Navigation Company in 1997 as Managing Director of the Swan Hellenic brand. She then led the UK team for Princess Cruises before becoming Director for Cunard Line in Europe, Middle East and Africa. In 2005 she became global President and Managing Director of Cunard Line. She held this post until 2009 when she became Managing Director of P&O Cruises, Britain’s largest cruise line – a post she held until autumn 2013. Carol was involved with the Passenger Shipping Association (now Cruise Lines International Association UK & Ireland) from 2002 – 2013, culminating as Chairman of the Board. She was also awarded Honorary Doctorates from the University of Southampton and Southampton Solent University, for her contribution to the industry. She was also made a Younger Brother of Trinity House, where now she chairs their Ambassadors’ Group. Carol is now also a Trustee of the National Museum of the Royal Navy Operations Board, and a Director of Gloriana Services Ltd, part of The Gloriana Trust. She also advises the Royal Academy of Dance, as a member of their Membership and Marketing Committee, and is a Non Executive Director of Trimline,Ltd, which creates world class ship interiors.

Carol has been reappointed for a second term of three years from 12 September 2017 to 11 September 2020

Eric Reynolds has been involved in numerous urban regeneration schemes since the early 1970s. His projects include setting up Camden Lock Market, revitalising the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, creating Merton Abbey Mills, bringing new life to Spitalfields Old Fruit and Vegetable Market, turning Greenwich Market around, building a new indoor tented market in Swindon, creating a small business centre out of Sneinton Wholesale Market in Nottingham, devising Gabriels’ Wharf and refurbishing Bishopsgate Goodsyard. Eric created Container City, USM’s design and build side based around re-using shipping containers. He leads work at Trinity Buoy Wharf, home to London’s only lighthouse as a centre for arts and creative activity. He has also taken over the responsibility to conserve two historic tugs and the only complete steam powered coastal trading ship as Chairman of the SS Robin Trust. In addition he acts as a regeneration advisor across the country and is a trustee of several voluntary bodies.

Eric has been reappointed for a second term of four years from 12 September 2017 to 11 September 2021.

Gerald Russell is a Past President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales. Gerald’s career was with Ernst & Young and its predecessor firms. He was the firm’s national marketing partner 1986–88, managing partner Thames Valley 1988–96, regional managing partner – South 1996–98 and regional managing partner in London from 1998 to 2004. More recently, he was audit partner for two FTSE 100 companies and a member of the firms Governing Council. He chaired Ernst & Young’s non-executive director programme, was vice chair of the EY/CBI Audit Committee Chair Forum and was visiting speaker to the Cranfield Business School’s non-executive director and corporate governance programme. Gerald currently chairs the board of governors of Notre Dame School for Girls, Cobham.

Gerald has been reappointed for a second term of two years from 12 September 2017 to 11 September 2019

The roles are not remunerated. These reappointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Joyce, Carol, Eric and Gerald have declared they have undertaken no such political activity.