European network for the protection of public figures. Initiative the Netherlands

PURPOSE: to amending Decision 2002/956/JHA setting up a European Network for the Protection of Public Figures so that it would also apply to non-officials who are deemed to be under threat.

PROPOSED ACT: JHA Council Decision (Initiative of the Netherlands).

CONTENT: the aim of this proposal is to amend Council Decision 2002/956/JHA setting up a European Network for the Protection of Public Figures so that it would also apply to non-officials who are deemed to be under threat because of their contribution to or impact on the public debate. The European Network for the Protection of Public Figures, which was set up in 2002, could contribute to providing protection as a formal channel for communication and consultation between national Authorities.

Against this background, the Dutch initiative amends the Decision as follows:

• definition: for the purpose of this Decision, the definition of "public figure" shall be extended to, either in an official capacity or in a non-official position, a person who is deemed to be under threat  because of his or her contribution to or impact on the public debate, and who, in the view of the Member State concerned, merits protection;
• extension of the protection of the person concerned: to ensure the appropriate protection of non officials, favouring contacts between the relevant authorities within the Member States responsible for rendering protection services, either through the contact points or directly between the responsible services, as communicated by the contact points, concerning the application of protection in cases where the protection of public figures has to be assured in two or more Member States.