2021
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Policing the internet: interior ministers to seek "solutions regarding data retention, encryption, e-evidence and the darknet"
A high-level conference organised by the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU will commit participating states to finding "appropriate solutions regarding data retention, encryption, e-evidence and the darknet," in the name of combating child sexual abuse.
UN: Human trafficking victims must be protected even in fight against terrorism
A new report by the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons examines "the intersections between trafficking by proscribed groups and terrorism, and in particular the continuing failures in terms of identification of and assistance to the victims of trafficking and in terms of the protection of their human rights."
EU: Integrated Approach on Climate Change and Security, Military Vision and Strategy on Cyberspace
Two recent documents produced by the European External Action Service, the EU's foreign policy arm.
New study reveals alarming expansion of biometric mass surveillance in Europe
Press release published by the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, 25 October 2021.
UK: Plans to ease joint data processing by intelligence agencies, police and “national security partners”
The UK government is consulting on wide-ranging changes to data protection law that include a proposal to facilitate “joint operational activity between law enforcement and national security partners.”
EU: Joint Europol-Frontex report on "digitalisation of migrant smuggling"
Europol and Frontex have produced a joint report on the "digitalisation of migrant smuggling", intended to provide state officials with in the EU and Western Balkans "with a comprehensive intelligence picture on the use of digital tools and services' [sic] in migrant smuggling and related document fraud, in order to raise awareness, consolidate existing knowledge and enforce opportunities to take appropriate measures to tackle emerging threats."
EU: Europol data repositories "beyond iBase and Palantir"
In response to a letter from an MEP, EU policing agency Europol has disclosed some of the "data repositories" that it operates, "beyond iBase and Palantir".
FRONTEX & EASO complicity in the violations of refugee law by the Cypriot government
Press release published by KISA on 18 October 2021.
Italy: Criminalisation of migrant boat drivers examined in new report
A new report, 'From Sea to Prison: The Criminalization of Boat Drivers in Italy', looks at how the Italian state has arrested and imprisoned hundreds of people who have piloted boats towards the shores of the country, "utilizing criminal law, undercover police operations and emergency anti-Mafia powers to re-enforce Europe’s border regime."
EU: Member states back bigger Frontex role in "voluntary return and reintegration"
In July, the Slovenian Presidency of the Council sought member states' views on the role of Frontex in implementing the EU's Strategy on Voluntary Return and Reintegration. The responses, published here, show that national authorities are keen to boost it.
Pushbacks: Legalising the illegal cannot be permitted, says Council of Europe human rights chief
In a strongly-worded statement, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights has called on member states to halt ongoing pushbacks and to cease any attempt to legalise the practice. The statement comes in response to a call from 12 EU member states that says all external borders "must be protected with maximum level of security" and essentially calls for the legalisation of pushbacks, EU funding for border walls, and measures to respond to "a hybrid attack characterised by an artificially created large scale inflow of irregular migrants".
European Parliament ignores fundamental rights concerns in vote on new powers for Europol
A large majority of MEPs have voted to approve a mandate for negotiations with the Council of the EU on expanding the powers of Europol, the EU policing agency, despite serious fundamental rights concerns with the proposals.
EU: European Council, 21 October: draft conclusions
Covering COVID-19, "digital", energy prices, migration, trade and external relations.
UK: Substantial investment in legal aid needed to ensure access to justice, inquiry concludes
A new report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Legal Aid presents the findings of an extensive inquiry into the sustainability and recovery of the legal aid sector in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A series of cuts and changes to the legal aid sector over the last decade have taken entire areas of law out of the scope of legal aid (leaving individuals to cover their own costs, if they are to bring a case at all) and the report finds that the low rates available for taking on legal aid work make it difficult for solicitors and barristers to continue working on legal aid cases. It calls for substantial investment in and reform of the legal aid system in order to ensure access to justice.
Cybercrime: EU position for a UN Convention on countering the use of information technology and communications technologies for criminal purposes
In January 2022 UN member states will start negotiating a new convention on "the use of information technology and communications technologies for criminal purposes." EU institutions and member states have been working towards defining their position for the first round of talks, which includes a demand that any new agreement be "focused primarily on substantive criminal and criminal procedural law, as well as associated mechanisms for cooperation."
EU: E-evidence: latest Council "state of play" document
A note from the Slovenian Presidency outlines some of the issues that have emerged in negotiations with the European Parliament on new rules designed to ease cross-border access to digital data for use in criminal investigations and judicial proceedings.
Police surveillance of non-EU nationals: one step closer to expanded powers
On 13 October the Council of the EU published its mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on new rules granting Europol influence over alerts in the Schengen Information System (SIS) based on data received from non-EU states. The new "information alerts on third-country nationals in the interest of the Union" are intended to increase the flow of information on non-EU nationals held in the SIS. The European Parliament is due to vote on its own negotiating mandate this week.
In solidarity with Mimmo Lucano: Statewatch signs open letter against criminalisation of solidarity
Statewatch has joined over 60 organisations calling on the Italian government to exonerate Mimmo Lucano, a mayor convicted to 13 years in prison for his support for people on the move.
EU: Tracking the Pact: Limited enthusiasm for plan to speed up Eurodac negotiations
The Slovenian Presidency recently proposed accelerating negotiations on plans to expand the Eurodac database that would transform it into a "multi-purpose" system for capturing the data of asylum-seekers and undocumented migrants. However, a document setting out the views of a number of member states suggests there is not much enthusiasm for the idea.
EU: Expansion of biometric policing and migration databases runs into delays
A new database that will require the biometric registration of almost all non-citizens entering and exiting the EU is facing "substantial delays" and will not be completed on time, according to a letter obtained by Statewatch. Meanwhile, upgrades to the Schengen Information System are highly unlikely to be completed on time.
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