On April 29, within the framework of the DATA EQUALITY project, the Euro-Arab Foundation for Higher Studies conducted a national exercise in Spain aimed at analysing the practical challenges in implementing European judicial cooperation instruments, with a particular focus on data management and transmission. The activity, held online, consisted of an in-depth interview with two expert profiles—one from the prison administration and one from the police force—focusing on the consequences of information fragmentation in transnational contexts.
The exercise explored how the lack of complete and contextualized data impacts the actions of judicial, police, and prison authorities, as well as decision-making and the protection of fundamental rights. Furthermore, this activity is part of the pilot phase of the project’s newly developed methodology, aimed at validating its applicability in real-world settings.
Challenges and Proposals
Key findings included the existence of critical information gaps (such as the absence of complete prison records, risk indicators, or vulnerability data) as well as operational obstacles stemming from poor translations, a lack of legal equivalence, and limited institutional coordination.
The exercise also gathered proposals to improve cooperation mechanisms, including:
- Strengthening system interoperability.
- Developing standardised protocols for information exchange.
- The need for specialised training for the professionals involved.
These results provide relevant empirical evidence for developing more inclusive and effective methodologies for data management within European judicial cooperation.
Through this activity, the Euro-Arab Foundation has helped identify key challenges related to the quality, interoperability, and transmission of data between Member States, highlighting a significant gap between the regulatory design of European instruments and their practical application.
