The European Commission has launched infringement proceedings over EU member states’ implementation of directives aimed at combating human trafficking and money laundering.
According to Report‘s European bureau, proceedings have been launched against 20 countries over the incomplete transposition into national legislation of the revised EU directive on combating human trafficking. They include Greece, Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Romania.
The revised directive strengthens criminal penalties for new forms of exploitation, including those occurring in the digital environment, and provides additional measures for investigating such crimes and protecting victims.
Separately, the EC sent notices to 18 countries over shortcomings in combating money laundering and incomplete implementation of EU legislation. They include Belgium, Greece, Germany, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Finland.