People’s Republic of China unofficial police stations in Member States
7.12.2022
Question for written answer E-003998/2022/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 138
Pina Picierno (S&D)
Recent evidence has come to light in the ‘Patrol and Persuade’ report and other newspapers about the presence of several unofficial Chinese police stations in Member States. Beijing’s authoritarian position, its violations of human rights and its non-respect of national sovereignties are noteworthy. Germany and the Netherlands have launched investigations into this phenomenon, while other countries, such as Italy, are more reluctant to do so. Furthermore, Member States are responsible for maintaining law and order and safeguarding internal security. Regulation (EU) 2016/794 (the Europol Regulation) also states that the Agency has no bearing on the potential presence of third-country police officers in Member States.
We therefore ask:
- 1. As these unofficial police stations represent a challenge to European security and a human rights violations, is the Commission considering a common approach to counter their presence?
- 2.Given Europol’s tasks and Annex I of the Europol Regulation and the forms of crime listed therein, to what extent can the Agency collect and analyse information on this issue and take more concrete actions?
- 3.By boosting cooperation among Member States’ national authorities, how can Europol ensure that national investigations are consistent and coherent and how can it guarantee that each Member State addresses the issue?
Submitted: 7.12.2022