ESMA publishes updated AIFMD and UCITS Q&As

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The AIFMD Q&As include three new questions and answers on:

  • Reporting to National Competent Authorities (NCAs) on the breakdown between retail and professional investors;
  • Notification of AIFMs on the AIFs to be managed, if domiciled in another Member State; and
  • Use by an AIF of the exemption for intragroup transactions under Article 4(2) of Regulation (EU) 648/2012 (EMIR), if subject to the clearing obligation of Article 4(1) of EMIR.

The UCITS Q&As include one new question and answer on:

  • Application to UCITS of the exemption for intragroup transactions under Article 4(2) of Regulation (EU) 648/2012 (EMIR), if subject to the clearing obligation of Article 4(1) of EMIR.

The purpose of these Q&A documents is to promote common supervisory approaches and practices of both the AIFMD and the UCITS Directive and their implementing measures.

Statement by Commissioner Crețu on the Commission proposal to fully fund reconstruction operations following natural disasters

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Today the European Parliament and the Council reached an agreement on our proposal to fully fund reconstruction operations after natural disasters with the European Regional Development Fund. This compromise foresees an exceptional co-financing rate of 95%.

I regret that the Commission’s original proposal of a 100% co-financing rate for such operations was not retained. At the same time, the compromise will now allow the much-needed funding to swiftly reach areas affected by natural disasters.

I think about Italy, whose regions were repeatedly hit by terrible earthquakes over the past year and again in January. On several occasions, President Juncker expressed his admiration for the Italian people, who showed extraordinary courage in the darkest hours, and the EU’s determination to support full reconstruction.

Today’s compromise demonstrates the EU’s readiness to stand by our citizens, when they most need support. Natural disasters can occur anywhere and anytime. This is why it was important for us to ensure that this special EU support can be activated as of day one, to supplement EU Solidarity Fund assistance. By increasing the EU’s financial contribution to the reconstruction works, it will also spare national resources.

Our proposal is a tangible expression of European solidarity. In the face of great difficulty, Member States shall have no doubt that the EU cares and is ready to use all available resources to provide immediate relief and to start rebuilding, together.

UN rights chief concerned about health of Palestinian hunger strikers in Israel jails

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24 May 2017 – The United Nations human rights chief today expressed serious concern about the health of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons as their hunger strike entered its 38th day without resolution.

“I am especially alarmed by reports of punitive measures by the Israeli authorities against the hunger strikers, including restricted access to lawyers and the denial of family visits,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said in a news release from his Office (OHCHR).

“The right of detainees to access a lawyer is a fundamental protection in international human rights law that should never be curtailed,” he added.

The Palestinian prisoners began a hunger strike on 17 April, demanding, amongst other things, an end to administrative detention and solitary confinement. They are also demanding an increase in the number and length of family visits and improved access to healthcare.

“Various international bodies have repeatedly called on Israel to end its practice of administrative detention,” Mr. Zeid said, noting that such detainees should either be charged with an offence and tried, according to international standards, or released immediately.

An estimated 6,300 Palestinians are currently being held in Israeli prisons, mostly outside the occupied Palestinian territory, in contravention of article 76 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.