Europees Parlement nog in dubio over toestaan bodyscanner (en)
Joined-up information sharing is the first step towards preventing terrorists from boarding planes, reiterated Civil Liberties Committee MEPs in a debate with EU Counter-terrorism Co-ordinator Gilles de Kerkhove today. The European Commission is to publish an impact evaluation on body scanners in the coming weeks, as requested by Parliament in October 2008.
"The Detroit flight confirms that civil aviation remains a key target for terrorists" said EU Counter-terrorism Co-ordinator Gilles de Kerkhove. "Besides the importance of data sharing, there is a need to improve our ability to digest data coming from different sources" he added, as the Detroit attempt comes "mainly from a failure to connect the dots".
"Much more can be done than deploying new devices in airports" to make flying safer, e.g. seeking an agreement with the US on sharing terrorist watch lists, said Mr de Kerkhove. On the possible use of body scanners, he said that "it is important to get the Commission report as soon as possible".
The report, requested by the European Parliament in a resolution voted on 23 October 2008, is to evaluate body scanners on the grounds of effectiveness, impact on health and fundamental rights.
Address "legitimate questions"
"We should not start with a no or with a yes" on body scanners, said Simon Busuttil (EPP, MT), but address "legitimate questions" on "quite intrusive instruments". "We would like to know to what extent they would be efficient (...) Will passengers have to be at the airport three hours before the flight leaves?" he asked, also voicing concern for the health of passengers and airport workers.
"Technology has become the new religion in counter-terrorism"
"I have the impression that technology has become the new religion in counter-terrorism. That's not the way" said Alexander Alvaro (ALDE, DE). "Connecting the dots is the main problem", he added. "Are bodyscanners useful? Isn't it a rearguard issue? What if a terrorist swallows the explosives?" asked Judith Sargentini (Greens/EFA, NL).
"Great cost implications"
"We have enough data" said Ernst Strasser (EPP, AT). He said that priority should be given to evaluating the existing instruments and making sure that tools such as the Schengen information system and the Visa information system are made fully operational. "It is never possible to predict what a terrorist would do", said Timothy Kirkhope (ECR, UK). He underlined the "great cost implications" of using body scanners, and advised against "putting burdens on airport companies", without the certainty that such scanners would be useful.
"Violation of dignity"
Stavros Lambrinidis (S&D, EL) asked if the visa waiver agreement with the United States didn't include a transfer of terrorist watch lists to Washington, and if there was reciprocity with Europe. Antigoni Papadopoulou (S&D, CY) asked "how did the US fail to deal with information? We deserve an answer on that". She expressed concerns about the possible impact of body scanners on health, especially for people wearing pacemakers, and on "the violation of dignity".
Cornelis De Jong (GUE/NGL, NL) said that "there is a great deal to be done in terms of prevention vis-à-vis third countries", and said that terrorism is also generated by "failure to deal with the Middle East problem". Andrew Brons (NI, UK) said that "military actions in Muslim countries" lead to radicalization, and that "we must have a genuinely neutral policy in the Middle East".
In the chair : Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, ES)
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