Enhancing Cooperation on Battlefield Evidence: Eurojust Meeting Highlights Transatlantic Commitment

High-level representatives and prosecutors from the United States, the European Union, international organizations, and civil society have come together to discuss the latest developments and cooperation tools for the use of battlefield evidence in armed conflicts. The expert meeting, held at Eurojust, brought together specialized prosecutors from the EU dealing with counter-terrorism, along with their counterparts from core international crimes units.

Organized by the Eurojust Counter-Terrorism Working Group, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the EU Genocide Network, the meeting focused on the importance of utilizing battlefield evidence in proceedings related to terrorism offenses and core international crimes such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. This evidence can be crucial in cases related to ongoing and future conflicts.

Mr. Matthew F. Blue, Chief of the Counterterrorism Section in the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, emphasized the commitment to ensuring that battlefield evidence is available for use in domestic and European cases. Mr. Baudoin Thouvenot, National Member for France and Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Team at Eurojust, highlighted the significance of international cooperation in fighting against war crimes, genocide, and terrorism.

With the continued threat of terrorism, Eurojust has been actively involved in assisting cases against returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs) and analyzing the criminal justice response. The use of battlefield evidence, including registration forms, photos, fingerprints, and emails, plays a key role in building cases against FTFs and prosecuting them for both terrorism and core international crimes.

The expert meeting at Eurojust marked a milestone in the cooperation between EU and U.S. authorities in enhancing the access and use of battlefield evidence. By sharing challenges and best practices, prosecutors aim to overcome legal and practical hurdles in ongoing and future criminal cases. The collaboration between Eurojust, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Genocide Network sets the foundation for a community of practice to strengthen capacities and foster cooperation in investigations and prosecutions of crimes in conflict areas.