In the period from 16 and 17 April 2024, the 27th European Police Congress took place in Berlin, Germany. 

CESP attended the Congress and had the honor to organize the Panel 1.4: CSA Crimes- Future challenges. The panel provoked much interest among attendees having in mind the importance of the topic covered and the presence of the distinguished speakers: Mr. Jurgen Ebner, Deputy Executive Director of EUROPOL, Ms. Alicia Malo, Spanish National Police, member of INTERPOL EC, Ms. Maria Eira, UNICRI, Ms. Eva Veldhuizen Ochodnicanova, ICMEC and Ms. Minh Dao, Chainalysis. 

All speakers agreed on the importance of this issue and the multilateral approach needed in tackling it. 

 In his initial remarks, the General Secretary of CESP, Jesus Lira Calvo, has emphasized: 

“We are living in a world that exceeds the boundaries of possible crimes. Facing each day with issues of extraordinary dimensions, that give troubles to law enforcement across the globe in handling adequately and promptly, we are here today to discuss one of the most urgent issues that is recognized globally as a serious human rights violation and a major public health concern.

Speaking of crimes against children and women, we tend to speak of a very specific criminal typology that affects the human dignity of people in a very specific way.

Crimes against children, as a frequent and serious violation of the most basic human rights, affect thousands of people in Europe, with the starkest effects on several levels. 

We need a fast, concrete and pragmatic answer of the public politics imposed directly from the highest international institutions.

We need, therefore, international cooperation between all relevant stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, international and European organizations, public and private companies that can make a difference in facing this phenomenon.” 

CESP has emphasized the importance of this issue in the CESP2025 Strategic Document, “Nurturing the seeds of change: How a new police approach can shape the future of Europe”, that was published last year and presented in front of all relevant stakeholders in the EU.