Fundamental rights conference in Helsinki

Chief Justice Vincent Degaetano and Attorney General Silvio Camilleri are in Helsinki to attend the 2004 Conference of Presidents of the Supreme Courts and Attorneys General or Prosecutors General of the member states of the European Union.

This year's two-day conference, being organised by the Supreme Court of Finland, will discuss among others the relation between fundamental rights in the draft treaty establishing a constitution for Europe and the European Convention on Human Rights as well as problems connected with the harmonisation of criminal law.

While in Helsinki, Chief Justice Degaetano will also attend a board meeting of the Network of the Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the European Union, formed earlier this year following a meeting in Paris hosted by the French Cour de Cassation.

During the Chief Justice's absence, Mr Justice Joseph D. Camilleri will be Acting Chief Justice.