Federal Councillor Beat Jans visits international police and judicial institutions

Bern, 01.11.2024 - Federal Councillor Beat Jans met with representatives of Europol, Eurojust, the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court in The Hague and Rotterdam on 31 October and 1 November. During his visit, Mr Jans visited the port of Rotterdam, where he was shown how the authorities are combating organised crime and international drug trafficking. In addition, the Dutch authorities provided an insight into their Passenger Information Unit (PIU), which processes air passenger data. Switzerland is currently working on legislation to establish its own PIU presumably from 2026.

The two-day trip to the Netherlands by Mr Jans was devoted to security, law enforcement and international jurisdiction. At EU level, countries exchange information on law enforcement via Europol. The agency ensures the exchange of information among member states and a number of partner countries, including Switzerland, and coordinates international police cooperation. Europol is therefore crucial in the fight against cross-border crime. Cooperation between Europol and Switzerland is governed by an agreement that has been in force since 2006 and was extended in 2018. Switzerland also has a cooperation agreement with Eurojust, the EU agency for judicial cooperation in criminal matters, which has been in force since 2008. Mr Jans visited both organisations during his trip to The Hague. Cooperation with the two EU institutions is working well and primarily serves to combat serious international and organised crime, cybercrime, terrorism, and economic and financial crime. The role of Europol is to be further strengthened in the future, enabling it to enter alerts on third-country nationals in the Schengen Information System (SIS). Switzerland is currently working on implementing these reforms into national law.

During his visit to the port of Rotterdam, Mr Jans gained an insight into the work of the port police in preventing drug trafficking and the smuggling of other illegal goods, and exchanged views with the port authorities on the fight against organised crime. He heard how criminal groups try to infiltrate and corrupt the personnel, IT systems and logistical processes of companies in the port and transport sector, and how the police are cooperating with these companies to raise awareness. Switzerland is facing similar challenges, which is why the fight against organised crime is a priority for the police, who rely on the international exchange of information.

A further instrument in combating international crime is the processing of air passenger data. In contrast to Switzerland, the Netherlands already has a Passenger Information Unit (PIU). Airlines transmit all passenger data to the PIU, where it is compared with other databases. If the PIU identifies a person listed in another police database, the data is forwarded to the relevant authorities for further action. During his visit to the Dutch PIU, Mr Jans was able to see how the system works. The Swiss parliament will soon be discussing the Federal Council Dispatch on introducing the Passenger Name Records Act in Switzerland. The Federal Council aims to establish a PIU at the Federal Office of Police (fedpol) from 2026.

Mr Jans also used his trip to meet with senior representatives of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, and the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICJ settles disputes between countries and strengthens the international rule of law. It issues judgements and advisory opinions, and forms an indispensable element of the international legal order. The ICC ensures that the most serious crimes committed by individuals do not go unpunished. Its prosecution of the perpetrators of violent conflicts is a central prerequisite for reconciliation and lasting peace in the international community as a whole. Both bodies make a decisive contribution to a stable and more just world order. During his visit to The Hague, Mr Jans took the opportunity to reaffirm Switzerland's support for the two courts.

Mr Jans also met with Swiss representatives in senior positions at various international organisations in The Hague. In view of the importance for a rules-based international order and the fight against transnational crime, he thanked them for their contribution at the international level as Switzerland also benefits as a result.

Address for enquiries

FDJP Communication Service, info@gs-ejpd.admin.ch, T +41 58 462 18 18

Publisher

Federal Department of Justice and Police
http://www.ejpd.admin.ch