Combat child pornography on the Internet. Initiative Austria

PURPOSE : to combat child pornography on the Internet. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Decision 2000/375/JHA to combat child pornography on the Internet. CONTENT : in order to combat the sexual exploitation of children and, in particular, the production, processing, distribution and possession of child pornography material on the Internet, this Decision aims to intensify preventative measures and the fight against this type of practice. In order to guarantee that these offences are effectively suppressed, Member States shall take the necessary measures to encourage Internet users to inform law enforcement authorities, either directly or indirectly, on suspected distribution of child pornography material on the Internet, if they come across such material. Internet users shall be made aware of ways to make contact with law enforcement authorities or entities which have priviledged links with law enforcement authorities, to enable such authorities to fulfil their task of preventing and combating child pornography on the Internet. Member States shall ensure the widest and speediest possible cooperation to facilitate an effective investigation and prosecution of offences concerning child pornography on the Internet in accordance with existing arrangements and agreements. Moreover, in order to ensure a timely and effective response to these offences, Member States shall communicate already established points of contact, which are set up on a 24-hour basis and consist of knowledgeable personnel, as well as the specialised units which can be used for exchange of information and for further contacts between Member States. EUROPOL shall also be kept informed of suspected cases of child pornography. Furthermore, Member States shall engage in constructive dialogue with industry and examine appropriate measures, of a voluntary or legally binding nature, to eliminate child pornography on the Internet. They shall cooperate, in contact with industry, by sharing their experiences and encouraging, as far as possible, the production of filters and other technical means to prevent the distribution of child pornography material and to make possible the detection thereof. The measures contained in this Decision shall be implemented by the Member States at the latest on 31.12.2000. ENTRY INTO FORCE : 31.12.2000.�