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Palazzo dei Normanni, Sicilian Regional Assembly’s headquarters

In the framework of the Italian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers, the European Conference of Prosecutors was organised on 5 and 6 May in Palermo with the support of the Prosecutor-General’s Office of the Court of Cassation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice, in co-operation with the Council of Europe.

The event focused on theme such as the public prosecutor’s independence and accountability - protecting individual rights and common challenges with respect to the protection of human rights -, on judicial co-operation in the investigation of transnational crimes, including in particular the offences against the environment and those committed by means of the information technology.

On 5 May, at Palazzo dei Normanni, the Sicilian Regional Assembly’s headquarters, the plenary session was opened by the Prosecutor General of the Court of Cassation, Giovanni Salvi. Institutional greetings were delivered by President of the Sicilian Regional Assembly, Gianfranco Miccichè and by Mayor of Palermo Leoluca Orlando. Introduction to the Conference was provided by the Under-Secretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Benedetto Della Vedova and by the Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić.

On 6 May, in the Ucciardone prison’s Aula Bunker, the final session was chaired by Giovanni Salvi, in the presence of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, with a commemorative ceremony of the judges Giovanni Falcone, Francesca Morvillo and Paolo Borsellino. Speakers included the President of Palermo Court of Appeal Matteo Frasca, the Prosecutor General of Palermo Court of Appeal Lia Sava, Minister of Interior Luciana Lamorgese, Justice Minister Marta Cartabia and Vice-President of the High Council of the Judiciary David Ermini. The Under-Secretary Benedetto Della Vedova and the Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić gave closing addresses.

Delegations from Mediterranean countries (Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia) and from Canada, the Holy See, Kazakhstan and the United States of America also participated in the conference.

Background

Recognising the essential role of the public prosecutor in the criminal justice system of a State governed by the Rule of Law, the Committee of Ministers decided in July 2005 to institutionalise the regular organisation of conferences of Prosecutors General of Europe and established the Consultative Council of European Prosecutors (CCPE).

This consultative body to the Committee of Ministers composed of high level prosecutors of all member States has in particular the task to prepare opinions for the Committee of Ministers on issues related to the prosecution service, to promote the implementation of Recommendation Rec(2000)19 and Recommendation Rec(2012)11 on the role of public prosecution in the criminal justice system, and to collect information about the functioning of prosecution services in Europe.

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