This week, senior representatives and prosecutors from the United States, the European Union, international organizations, and civil society convened to exchange expertise on battlefield evidence in shared efforts to counter terrorism and transnational crime. On April 18 and 19, Chief of Counterterrorism Matthew F. Blue of the Justice Department’s National Security Division represented the Department at the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) meeting in The Hague.
Co-organized by the Eurojust Counter-Terrorism Working Group, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the EU Network for the investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against impunity and war crimes (Genocide Network), the meeting provided critical information to terrorism and international crime prosecutors, including on high-level investigations such as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Participants exchanged expertise on how evidence from past armed conflicts could be used in proceedings related to ongoing and future conflicts.
Counterterrorism Chief Blue delivered opening remarks to the delegation.
“Terrorists and war criminals should have no illusions that they are safe from prosecution when they plot and commit crimes in conflict zones,” said Chief Matthew F. Blue of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. “The United States is committed to ensuring that battlefield evidence is available for use in its domestic cases and those pursued by its European allies. Today’s meeting reaffirms the strong transatlantic commitment to ensuring that this vital tool is effectively harnessed.”
Participants further discussed how battlefield evidence can expose the operational workings and command structures of terrorist organizations, including the role of specific suspects and their associates, and how the information can be used to build cases that go beyond terrorism membership and financing to include other core international crimes.
In joining forces, Eurojust, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Genocide Network have laid the foundation for enhancing the global response to crimes committed in conflict areas, both today and in the future.
The expert meeting at Eurojust represents another milestone in the longstanding cooperation between Eurojust and U.S. authorities to share challenges and best practice amongst practitioners – a key component of overcoming legal and practical hurdles in ongoing and future criminal cases.