Parliamentary oversight of security and intelligence agencies in the EU

One of the reasons for the lack of posts on this blog the past months is that I co-authored this large study (446 pages), together with Aidan Wills, for the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE). The study came out today, and also includes a number of attachments written by national [...]

CoE Secretary General Speech on the right to privacy

In his speech the SG stressed the importance of new social media, but he said that they have ‘changed our understanding of privacy’. The fact is that the line between public life and private life is on the move, and if we do not act, this line will disappear. Today, privacy is challenged, more than [...]

Council of Europe: need for a global consideration of the human rights implications of biometrics

The CoE’s Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights is “increasingly concerned about the rapid and uncontrolled development of biometric technologies”. It stresses the need to strike an appropriate balance between security and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially the right to privacy. In its report, the Commitee says: Given that at [...]

Council of Europe ministers resolution on data protection and privacy in the third millenium

MJU-30 (2010) RESOL. 3 E: THE MINISTERS participating in the 30th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers of Justice (Istanbul, Turkey, 24 – 26 November 2010), adopted a “resolution on data protection and privacy in the third millenium” in which they supported the modernisation of Convention 108 “in order to find appropriate solutions to the [...]

Council of Europe upcoming work on human rights and the fight against terrorism

The Council of Europe’s Committee on Legal Affairs and Human rights is currently preparing two reports in the context of human rights and counterterrorism. One report is entitled “Abuse of state secrecy and national security: obstacles to parliamentary and judicial scrutiny of human rights violations” and it will address some of the legal and policy [...]

Council of Europe assesses UK implementation of S & Marper judgment

In its Programme for Government of 20/05/2010 the new UK government stated that “We will adopt the protections of the Scottish model for the DNA database”. A more detailed proposal, including whether to bring into force any aspects of the Crime and Security Act as an interim measure is being considered. (see below)I t is [...]

Venice commission report on counter-terrorism measures and human rights

Adopted by the Venice Commission at its 83rd Plenary Session (Venice, 4 June 2010). Read it here. Subjects covered:A. Terrorist offences and principle of legalityB. Surveillance powersC. Requiring disclosure of informationD. Arrest, interrogations and length of detentionE. Treatment of detaineesF. Military and special tribunalsG. Modifications of ordinary judicial proceduresH. Targeted sanctions against individuals or groups [...]

Hammamberg: Duty to investigate over torture allegations

Thomas Hammamberg, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights has a comment on the recent decision of the UK government, authorising a a judge-led inquiry into allegations that British officials were complicit in the mistreatment of suspects held by the United States, Pakistan and others. According to the Commissioner, “this is a proper response [...]

Council of Europe reports

Islam, Islamism and Islamophobia in Europe, Report by Mr Mogens Jensen, Committee on Culture, Science and Education, 25 May 2010. Summary: Intolerance towards Islam and Muslims has been increasing in recent years alongside “Islamism”, a religiously disguised form of political extremism. The Council of Europe should serve as the pan-European forum for discussing common strategies [...]

Interesting CoE parliamentary assembly documents

Islam, Islamism and Islamophobia in Europe, Report 1 by Committee on Culture, Science and Education, 25 May 2010; Rapporteur: Mr Mogens JENSEN, Denmark, Socialist Group. Effective implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights: the Interlaken process,  Report by Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, 27 April 2010; Rapporteur: Mrs Marie-Louise BEMELMANS-VIDEC, The Netherlands, [...]