Tony Bunyan, Statewatch editor, comments:
"By drafting a binding Framework Decision before the proper legislative process is finished EU governments are showing their utter disregard for the European Parliament.
"The vote in the European Parliament and the final decision on this issue will be a defining moment for the future of democracy in the EU. If all telecommunications - phone-calls, e-mails, faxes and internet usage - are placed under surveillance not only will data protection be fatally undermined but so too will be the very freedoms that distinguish democracies from authoritarian regimes"
Article reprinted courtesy of Statewatch News online in our LINKS section and: http://www.statewatch.org/
Background
Story filed 8.5.02, revised 9.5.02
Please also see:
1. Statewatch News online: April 2002: Narrow vote in European Parliament on data retention
2. Statewatch summary: European Commission sells out
3. Statewatch bulletin, January-February 2002: Final decision on surveillance of telecommunications
4. Statewatch report, up to 11 September: Data protection or data retention in the EU? (pdf)
"By drafting a binding Framework Decision before the proper legislative process is finished EU governments are showing their utter disregard for the European Parliament.
"The vote in the European Parliament and the final decision on this issue will be a defining moment for the future of democracy in the EU. If all telecommunications - phone-calls, e-mails, faxes and internet usage - are placed under surveillance not only will data protection be fatally undermined but so too will be the very freedoms that distinguish democracies from authoritarian regimes"
Article reprinted courtesy of Statewatch News online in our LINKS section and: http://www.statewatch.org/
Background
Story filed 8.5.02, revised 9.5.02
Please also see:
1. Statewatch News online: April 2002: Narrow vote in European Parliament on data retention
2. Statewatch summary: European Commission sells out
3. Statewatch bulletin, January-February 2002: Final decision on surveillance of telecommunications
4. Statewatch report, up to 11 September: Data protection or data retention in the EU? (pdf)