Archive
Leaked: Latest EU-US data exchange draft shows EU still submitting to US demands
Statewatch has published the second revised proposal for EU-US data exchange. Despite serious conflicts with EU law, this draft sees no major changes. Read More
EU must push back against USA’s excessive demands for biometric data
Civil society and experts call for the EU to push back against the USA's excessive demands in negotiations on biometric data exchange. Read More
The US demands exemptions for military and diplomatic staff in the EU’s digital borders system
The US has demanded the EU give preferential treatment to its diplomatic, military and other personnel, exempting them from mandatory fingerprinting and facial scanning at the borders of the Schengen zone. An internal note from the Council of the EU provides guidance to member states on how to be “flexible”. Read More
Prints in politics: cheap, easily replicated and widely accessible
Printmaking is an ideal medium for wide and diverse engagement with art: it is replicable, cheap, and widely accessible. These features have made prints particularly attractive to political activists looking to inspire collective mobilisation. The Statewatch Library & Archive contains a number of examples of the medium, from a wide variety of movements. Read More
US access to EU citizens’ biometric data: ministers approve EU negotiating mandate
EU ministers have agreed to launch negotiations on an agreement that would grant US border agencies direct access to personal data stored in EU member state databases, and give EU agencies similar access to US data. The US is demanding access to the databases of all states that are part of its Visa Waiver Programme, for “immigration screening and vetting activities.” This is part of a broader plan to massively increase the amount of sensitive data gathered on travellers. Read More
Networks of (in)security: how global counter-terrorism and security norms threaten civic space and human rights
Global counter-terrorism and security norms are propelling the introduction of pre-emptive, automated and algorithmic forms of surveillance and profiling, says new research published today by Statewatch. This is reinforcing racism and discrimination, inhibiting free movement, and giving authoritarian states new tools of control. The research calls for an organised response to this long-term state project, and sets out some guiding questions for future work. Read More
Networks of (in)security: how global counter-terrorism and security norms threaten civic space and human rights
Global counter-terrorism and security norms are propelling the introduction of pre-emptive, automated and algorithmic forms of surveillance and profiling, says new research published today by Statewatch. This is reinforcing racism and discrimination, inhibiting free movement, and giving authoritarian states new tools of control. The research calls for an organised response to this long-term state project, and sets out some guiding questions for future work. Read More
US searching for “security threats” in European data: not a problem for EU member states
US law enforcement authorities want direct access to EU member state police and immigration databases to identify people considered “a threat to US security.” They may also be seeking access to EU databases. Some member states have concerns over timing, the legal basis and data protection requirements, according to a document obtained by Statewatch – but none have any fundamental problems with the proposal. Read More
US attacks on the international rule of law: will the EU do anything?
Last week, the Slovenian government called on EU justice ministers to “protect the international rule of law and justice system,” which is facing US sanctions due to attempts to bring Israel officials to justice for crimes committed in Gaza. The discussion has now apparently been taken from the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council to “other Council formations.” Whether any practical steps will follow remains to be seen. Read More
US sanctions against Palestinian groups must be immediately withdrawn, say 80 organisations
United States sanctions against three Palestinian human rights organisations have been condemned by 80 organisations, including Statewatch. The US government has frozen the financial assets of Al-Haq, Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. Organisations subject to US jurisdiction are prevented from engaging in transactions with them. The open letter calls on the US government to "immediately rescind the sanctions." Read More