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Statewatch News
Also available as a PDF.
Welcome to the latest issue of Statewatch News, featuring:
- UK-EU facial recognition plan challenged
- Subordinating search and rescue to law enforcement?
- More EU support for abuses in North Africa
Earlier this year, our Director, Chris Jones, was interviews by ARTE for a documentary on European migration policies. The documentary was released last week, and you can watch it here.
Don't forget that next week we will be hosting an event with European Digital Rights on European police surveillance of political activists. Find out more and register here.
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News
2 NovemberEU mulls intelligence-gathering obligations for search and rescue operations
Draft European Commission proposals would impose intelligence-gathering requirements on any ships that engage in search and rescue (SAR) operations at sea, in the name of "addressing the needs of those onboard as well as facilitating a smooth disembarkation and first reception". An employee of a search and rescue organisation has warned that "civil assets used in sea rescue operations should not be tasked with any law enforcement duty."
2 NovemberCampaign celebrates success as three English universities divest from the border industry
Three English universities have divested from companies profiting from border violence in a major win for the Divest Borders campaign. However, over £300 million of university endowments still remain invested in the border industry.
31 OctoberUK participation in “unnecessary” police facial recognition system needs “open, thorough, democratic debate”
MPs must ensure thorough scrutiny and a meaningful democratic debate on potential UK participation in a pan-European police facial recognition system that is unnecessary, disproportionate and undesirable, says a statement coordinated by Statewatch and signed by 13 other civil society organisations.
27 OctoberEU to step up support for human rights abuses in North Africa
In a letter to the European Council trumpeting the EU’s efforts to control migration, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the provision of vessels and support to coast guards in Libya and Tunisia, where refugee and migrant rights are routinely violated.
24 OctoberEU: More surveillance, funding and operational cooperation to fight migrant smuggling
A Spanish presidency note to member state representatives in the Council identifies cross-border organised crime as a key threat to the correct functioning of the Schengen area, calling for additional impetus in 2023-2024 to fight “cross-border, serious and organised crime”. Crimes involving smuggling and exploitation (including of children, trafficking, sexual exploitation) are deemed challenges for external border management and the Schengen area.
23 OctoberDatabase delays: new timetable for interoperable EU policing and migration systems by 2027
EU interior ministers have agreed another revised timeline for the plan to make all justice and home affairs databases "interoperable", with the aim now to have the systems up and running by 2027. Mandatory biometric border checks may now be introduced progressively, in the hope of limiting delays at border crossing points.
Upcoming events
Online, 7 NovemberWebinar: Activists and NGOs under watch! Are you in Europol’s databases?
On 7 November, digital rights experts from EDRi and Statewatch will explore how civil society, activists and social movements have been increasingly criminalised and surveilled in Europe, and will introduce attendees to a new tool that will people request their data that is held by Europol. Access requests are an important tool in countering the abusive data collection practices by European police.
Brussels, 7 NovemberStill reporting without fear? The future of media freedom and protection of journalists in Europe
“The ability of journalists to report freely is a vital part of democracy. However, it is becoming more difficult and dangerous for journalists to do their work. Journalists are facing not only an increasing politicisation of the media but also digital surveillance and spyware, censorship, insults, intimidation and in some cases even murder. Safeguarding media freedom and ensuring the protection of journalists is paramount. The European Union has been addressing these critical issues through initiatives like the European Media Freedom Act and the anti-SLAPP directive.”
Graz, 7 NovemberThe Media As A Tool of Intervention: House of Cards
“This book explores the role of external powers and international organisations in media assistance in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Through analysis of key documents, media reports and interviews with key participants, it examines the main actors, their roles and the way in which they influenced the media and society.”
New material
You can find our extensive round-up of news, reports and analysis from across Europe in the PDF of this bulletin.
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