www.statewatch.org RSS Feed https://www.statewatch.org Fri, 08 Mar 2024 10:19:48 GMT EyeCatch Feed Generator v3.0 en-GB Our staff and trustees https://www.statewatch.org/about/our-staff-and-trustees/ Statewatch Wed, 01 Mar 2023 16:13:50 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/our-staff-and-trustees/ <h1>Staff</h1> <p>To contact individual staff members, replace [at] with @.</p> <p><strong><img src="/media/3449/staff-photo-tb.jpg" alt="" width="18%" align="right" data-udi="umb://media/b82461c49a774a28a71d23c657cd433c">Tony Bunyan (Director Emeritus)</strong></p> <p>Tony is an investigative journalist and writer specialising in justice and home affairs, civil liberties, EU state-building and freedom of information. He was Director of Statewatch 1990-2010 and edited <a href="/news/">Statewatch News</a> (1999-2010). He is the author of <a href="/publications/reports-and-books/the-history-and-practice-of-the-political-police-in-britain/"> The Political Police in Britain</a> (1977), <a href="/observatories/freedom-of-information-in-the-eu/1999-2007-secret-europe-reporting-on-secrecy-and-openness-in-europe/secrecy-and-openness-in-the-european-union/"> Secrecy and Openness in the European Union</a> (1999) and <a href="/publications/reports-and-books/the-shape-of-things-to-come/"> The Shape of Things to Come</a> (2009) and edited <a href="/publications/reports-and-books/the-war-on-freedom-and-democracy/"> The War on Freedom and Democracy</a> (2005). He is a Member of the Council of the Institute of Race Relations and a Lifetime Member of the National Union of Journalists  The position of Director Emeritus in Statewatch is a life-time appointment - Tony continues to be a member of the Statewatch team.</p> <ul> <li>Email: tony [at] statewatch.org</li> </ul> <p><strong><img src="/media/3445/staff-photo-cj.jpeg" alt="" width="18%" align="right" data-udi="umb://media/b538004fb25545038b9909252a8dc175"></strong></p> <p><strong>Chris Jones (Executive Director)</strong></p> <p>Chris has been working for Statewatch since 2010 and in September 2020 was appointed as Executive Director. He specialises in issues relating to policing, migration, privacy and data protection and security technologies.</p> <ul> <li>Email: chris [at] statewatch.org</li> <li><a rel="noopener" href="https://twitter.com/earsinfingers/" target="_blank">@earsinfingers</a></li> </ul> <p><strong><img src="/media/3525/staff-photo-rl.jpg" alt="" width="18%" align="right" data-udi="umb://media/aeccdc46cc8c457daa69b356c4648d3a">Romain Lanneau (Consultant Researcher)</strong></p> <p><span>Romain Lanneau is a legal researcher based in Amsterdam, publishing on the topics of migration, asylum, and the use of new technologies for public policies. In 2021, he was selected as a Bucerius Start Up PhD Fellow for a one-year project on the theme of 'Beyond Borders'. He is a recent graduate of a research LLM on International Migration and Refugee Law from the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam. In the past, he worked for several NGOs, including the largest research network on migration and refugee law in Europe, the Odysseus Academic Network.</span></p> <ul> <li>Email: romain [at] statewatch.org</li> <li><a rel="noopener" href="https://twitter.com/romainlanneau" target="_blank">@romainlanneau</a></li> </ul> <p><strong><img src="/media/3448/staff-photo-ym.jpeg" alt="" width="18%" align="right" data-udi="umb://media/25d58290598f455fa23750d4bcf24084">Yasha Maccanico (Researcher)</strong></p> <p>Yasha has worked for Statewatch since 1998, providing news coverage, analysis and translations to link EU policies to events on the ground in the justice and home affairs field in several member states (UK, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium and Portugal). He has extensive public speaking experience in civil society and academic contexts and in 2019 completed a PhD at the University of Bristol in Policy Studies on the topic of 'European Immigration Policies as a Problem: State Power and Authoritarianism'.</p> <ul> <li>Email: yasha [at] statewatch.org</li> <li><a rel="noopener" href="https://twitter.com/yashamac1" target="_blank">@yashamac1</a></li> </ul> <p><strong><img src="/media/3447/staff-photo-rt.jpeg" alt="" width="18%" align="right" data-udi="umb://media/e8d3a771756847a4983a7067c5e3dd4e">Rahmat Tavakkoli (Finance &amp; Administration Worker)</strong></p> <p>Rahmat joined Statewatch in September 2021 to take care of our financial and administrative procedures, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and contribute to the smooth running of the office and the organization.</p> <ul> <li>Email admin [at] statewatch.org</li> </ul> <h1>Trustees</h1> <p><strong>Gabriel Almeida<br></strong></p> <p>Gabriel Almeida works as a Senior Human Rights Officer at ENNHRI, the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions. He coordinates ENNHRI's work on asylum and migration, which has focused on the need for independent and effective human rights monitoring and stronger human rights accountability at borders. He also leads ENNHRI's activities to support European NHRIs with their international accreditation, advises on the establishment of new institutions, and supports NHRIs that may be under attack. Alongside his colleagues, Gabriel supports the ENNHRI Board with the organisational development and strategic positioning of ENNHRI.</p> <p>Prior to joining ENNHRI, Gabriel worked as a Junior Legal Officer at the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) and as a Research Assistant for the Odysseus Network. Gabriel graduated cum laude in International and European law (human rights track) from Tilburg University after completing a bachelor's degree in International Relations at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.</p> <p><strong>Marie-Laure Basilien-Gainche</strong></p> <p>Marie-Laure Basilien-Gainche is Professor of Law at the University Jean Moulin Lyon 3, honorarium member of the Institut Universitaire de France, and fellow of the Institut Convergence Migrations. Her researches focus on the exigencies of the rule of law and their limitations in cases of exceptions: the situations of serious crises which allow the concentration of powers and restriction of rights (e.g. the use of the state of emergency), and the areas of legal confinement which are conducive to abuses of power and rights infringements (e.g. camps and centres where migrants and refugees are detained). She is member of the editorial board of various reviews and is involved in numerous academics networks regarding human rights law. You can find more information about her activities and publications on her personal <a rel="noopener" href="https://sites.google.com/site/marielaurebasiliengainche/home" target="_blank">webpage</a>.</p> <p><strong>Laure Baudrihaye-Gérard</strong></p> <p>Laure is a lawyer based in Brussels, where she works on EU and Belgian criminal justice policy. She qualified as a solicitor in London, specialised in EU law and worked in private practice in both London and Brussels before studying criminology. After participating in several academic research projects, Laure joined Fair Trials, a criminal justice watchdog, in 2018. As Legal Director for Europe, she led on EU advocacy, strategic litigation in European courts and the coordination of a European-wide network of criminal defence lawyers, civil society and academic organisations. She has also been working as a prison monitor since 2019 in a large pre-trial detention prison in Brussels, and since 2020 heads up the appeals committee that adjudicates on complaints from detained people against the prison administration.</p> <p><strong>Jonathan Bloch</strong></p> <p>Jonathan Bloch studied law at the University of Cape Town and the London School of Economics. He was politically involved in South Africa in the worker and student movement and remains active in human rights circles in the UK. From 2002 until 2014 he chaired the Canon Collins Educational and Legal Assistance Trust, one of the largest scholarship awarding organisations in South Africa. He was a councillor in the London Borough of Haringey 2002-14. He has co-authored several books on intelligence. He owns and runs a worldwide financial information business across four continents.</p> <p><strong>Victoria Canning</strong></p> <p>Victoria Canning is senior lecturer in Criminology at the University of Bristol. She has spent over a decade working on the rights of women seeking asylum, specifically on support for survivors of sexual violence and torture with NGOs and migrant rights organisations. She recently completed an ESRC Research Leaders Fellowship focussing on harmful practice in asylum systems in Britain, Denmark and Sweden, and the gendered implications thereof. Vicky has experience researching in immigration detention in Denmark and Sweden, as well as Denmark’s main deportation centre. She is currently embarking on a study of torture case file datasets with the Danish Institute Against Torture which aims to create a basis from which to better identify and thus respond to sexual torture and sexualised torturous violence with refugee survivors of torture more broadly.</p> <p><strong>Nadine Finch</strong></p> <p>Nadine was a member of the <em>Statewatch</em> contributors group for a number of years and also previously a trustee. She was a human rights barrister between 1992 and 2015 and an Upper Tribunal Judge from 2015 to 2020. She is now an Honorary Senior Policy Fellow at the University of Bristol and an Associate at Child Circle, a children's rights NGO based in Brussels.</p> <p><strong>Lilana Keith</strong></p> <p>Lilana Keith is <em>PICUM</em>’s Senior Advocacy Officer on Labour Rights and Labour migration. <em>PICUM</em> - the <em>Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants</em>, is a network of more than 165 organisations in 35 countries, mostly in Europe, working for human rights and social justice for undocumented migrants.</p> <p><span>Lilana joined <em>PICUM</em> in 2011 and has had various roles, including leading <em>PICUM</em>’s work </span>to advance the rights and inclusion of undocumented children, young people and families for many years. <span>She has been involved in work to advance migrants’ rights since 2009, including through community development and funding. She has an academic background in international and European migration law and policy and anthropology.</span></p> Staff

To contact individual staff members, replace [at] with @.

Tony Bunyan (Director Emeritus)

Tony is an investigative journalist and writer specialising in justice and home affairs, civil liberties, EU state-building and freedom of information. He was Director of Statewatch 1990-2010 and edited Statewatch News (1999-2010). He is the author of The Political Police in Britain (1977), Secrecy and Openness in the European Union (1999) and The Shape of Things to Come (2009) and edited The War on Freedom and Democracy (2005). He is a Member of the Council of the Institute of Race Relations and a Lifetime Member of the National Union of Journalists  The position of Director Emeritus in Statewatch is a life-time appointment - Tony continues to be a member of the Statewatch team.

  • Email: tony [at] statewatch.org

Chris Jones (Executive Director)

Chris has been working for Statewatch since 2010 and in September 2020 was appointed as Executive Director. He specialises in issues relating to policing, migration, privacy and data protection and security technologies.

Romain Lanneau (Consultant Researcher)

Romain Lanneau is a legal researcher based in Amsterdam, publishing on the topics of migration, asylum, and the use of new technologies for public policies. In 2021, he was selected as a Bucerius Start Up PhD Fellow for a one-year project on the theme of 'Beyond Borders'. He is a recent graduate of a research LLM on International Migration and Refugee Law from the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam. In the past, he worked for several NGOs, including the largest research network on migration and refugee law in Europe, the Odysseus Academic Network.

Yasha Maccanico (Researcher)

Yasha has worked for Statewatch since 1998, providing news coverage, analysis and translations to link EU policies to events on the ground in the justice and home affairs field in several member states (UK, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium and Portugal). He has extensive public speaking experience in civil society and academic contexts and in 2019 completed a PhD at the University of Bristol in Policy Studies on the topic of 'European Immigration Policies as a Problem: State Power and Authoritarianism'.

Rahmat Tavakkoli (Finance & Administration Worker)

Rahmat joined Statewatch in September 2021 to take care of our financial and administrative procedures, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and contribute to the smooth running of the office and the organization.

  • Email admin [at] statewatch.org

Trustees

Gabriel Almeida

Gabriel Almeida works as a Senior Human Rights Officer at ENNHRI, the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions. He coordinates ENNHRI's work on asylum and migration, which has focused on the need for independent and effective human rights monitoring and stronger human rights accountability at borders. He also leads ENNHRI's activities to support European NHRIs with their international accreditation, advises on the establishment of new institutions, and supports NHRIs that may be under attack. Alongside his colleagues, Gabriel supports the ENNHRI Board with the organisational development and strategic positioning of ENNHRI.

Prior to joining ENNHRI, Gabriel worked as a Junior Legal Officer at the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) and as a Research Assistant for the Odysseus Network. Gabriel graduated cum laude in International and European law (human rights track) from Tilburg University after completing a bachelor's degree in International Relations at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

Marie-Laure Basilien-Gainche

Marie-Laure Basilien-Gainche is Professor of Law at the University Jean Moulin Lyon 3, honorarium member of the Institut Universitaire de France, and fellow of the Institut Convergence Migrations. Her researches focus on the exigencies of the rule of law and their limitations in cases of exceptions: the situations of serious crises which allow the concentration of powers and restriction of rights (e.g. the use of the state of emergency), and the areas of legal confinement which are conducive to abuses of power and rights infringements (e.g. camps and centres where migrants and refugees are detained). She is member of the editorial board of various reviews and is involved in numerous academics networks regarding human rights law. You can find more information about her activities and publications on her personal webpage.

Laure Baudrihaye-Gérard

Laure is a lawyer based in Brussels, where she works on EU and Belgian criminal justice policy. She qualified as a solicitor in London, specialised in EU law and worked in private practice in both London and Brussels before studying criminology. After participating in several academic research projects, Laure joined Fair Trials, a criminal justice watchdog, in 2018. As Legal Director for Europe, she led on EU advocacy, strategic litigation in European courts and the coordination of a European-wide network of criminal defence lawyers, civil society and academic organisations. She has also been working as a prison monitor since 2019 in a large pre-trial detention prison in Brussels, and since 2020 heads up the appeals committee that adjudicates on complaints from detained people against the prison administration.

Jonathan Bloch

Jonathan Bloch studied law at the University of Cape Town and the London School of Economics. He was politically involved in South Africa in the worker and student movement and remains active in human rights circles in the UK. From 2002 until 2014 he chaired the Canon Collins Educational and Legal Assistance Trust, one of the largest scholarship awarding organisations in South Africa. He was a councillor in the London Borough of Haringey 2002-14. He has co-authored several books on intelligence. He owns and runs a worldwide financial information business across four continents.

Victoria Canning

Victoria Canning is senior lecturer in Criminology at the University of Bristol. She has spent over a decade working on the rights of women seeking asylum, specifically on support for survivors of sexual violence and torture with NGOs and migrant rights organisations. She recently completed an ESRC Research Leaders Fellowship focussing on harmful practice in asylum systems in Britain, Denmark and Sweden, and the gendered implications thereof. Vicky has experience researching in immigration detention in Denmark and Sweden, as well as Denmark’s main deportation centre. She is currently embarking on a study of torture case file datasets with the Danish Institute Against Torture which aims to create a basis from which to better identify and thus respond to sexual torture and sexualised torturous violence with refugee survivors of torture more broadly.

Nadine Finch

Nadine was a member of the Statewatch contributors group for a number of years and also previously a trustee. She was a human rights barrister between 1992 and 2015 and an Upper Tribunal Judge from 2015 to 2020. She is now an Honorary Senior Policy Fellow at the University of Bristol and an Associate at Child Circle, a children's rights NGO based in Brussels.

Lilana Keith

Lilana Keith is PICUM’s Senior Advocacy Officer on Labour Rights and Labour migration. PICUM - the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants, is a network of more than 165 organisations in 35 countries, mostly in Europe, working for human rights and social justice for undocumented migrants.

Lilana joined PICUM in 2011 and has had various roles, including leading PICUM’s work to advance the rights and inclusion of undocumented children, young people and families for many years. She has been involved in work to advance migrants’ rights since 2009, including through community development and funding. She has an academic background in international and European migration law and policy and anthropology.

]]>
Contact https://www.statewatch.org/about/contact/ justin Tue, 13 Dec 2022 16:01:50 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/contact/ <p>To email us, replace [at] with @.</p> <p><strong>Email</strong></p> <ul> <li>General enquiries: office [at] statewatch.org</li> <li>Send us an encrypted message via: secure [at] statewatch.org (<a data-udi="umb://document/d6b1da0bab6e4afe85564c6db3c7a229" href="/about/contact/pgp-key/" title="PGP Key">PGP key</a>)</li> </ul> <p>To find out how to encrypt emails, you can use the guides <a rel="noopener" href="https://securityinabox.org/en/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>You can find individual staff members' contact details <a data-udi="umb://document/aeead8f4bed7406c99c2fa151b2a9b59" href="/about/our-staff-and-trustees/" title="Team">here</a>.</p> <p><strong>Social media</strong></p> <ul> <li>Twitter: <a rel="noopener" href="https://twitter.com/statewatcheu" target="_blank">@StatewatchEU</a></li> <li>Facebook: <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/statewatcheurope/" target="_blank">/statewatcheurope</a></li> </ul> <p><strong>Phone</strong></p> <ul> <li>(00 44) 203 393 8366</li> </ul> <p><strong>Post</strong></p> <ul> <li>Statewatch, MDR, 88 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1DH</li> </ul> <p><strong>Contribute material to Statewatch</strong></p> <p>We welcome submissions of material for publication on our website. See here for more information on <a data-udi="umb://document/31c7ff19d4104d5f99d25c8edf535fbc" href="/about/contribute-to-statewatch/" title="Contribute to Statewatch">contributing work to Statewatch</a>.</p> To email us, replace [at] with @.

Email

  • General enquiries: office [at] statewatch.org
  • Send us an encrypted message via: secure [at] statewatch.org (PGP key)

To find out how to encrypt emails, you can use the guides here.

You can find individual staff members' contact details here.

Social media

Phone

  • (00 44) 203 393 8366

Post

  • Statewatch, MDR, 88 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1DH

Contribute material to Statewatch

We welcome submissions of material for publication on our website. See here for more information on contributing work to Statewatch.

]]>
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Mailing list https://www.statewatch.org/about/mailing-list/ Statewatch Wed, 05 Oct 2022 16:58:35 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/mailing-list/ Annual reports https://www.statewatch.org/about/annual-reports/ Statewatch Mon, 10 Oct 2022 10:54:43 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/annual-reports/ Annual activity report 2021 https://www.statewatch.org/about/annual-reports/annual-activity-report-2021/ Statewatch Mon, 10 Oct 2022 10:54:52 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/annual-reports/annual-activity-report-2021/ <p><img src="/media/3524/sw-impact-report-2021-cover.jpg" alt="" width="100%" data-udi="umb://media/655193e3d564468d9fb0c8ef7390b72b">Read the full report <a rel="noopener" data-udi="umb://media/497031b562aa4017972ddeb89d417389" href="/media/3523/sw-impact-report-2021-final.pdf" target="_blank" title="Sw Impact Report 2021 Final">here</a> (pdf). You can find our full annual report and accounts on the website of <a rel="noopener" href="https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5037262/accounts-and-annual-returns" target="_blank">the Charity Commission</a>.</p> <hr> <p><strong>Three decades of Statewatch, a year of transition</strong></p> <p>2021 marked Statewatch’s 30<sup>th</sup> birthday and an important transitional year following the retirement of the founder and Director, Tony Bunyan, in autumn 2020 (Tony is now Director Emeritus of Statewatch). Three decades after Statewatch was founded, our commitment to the sense of purpose that has animated Statewatch since 1991 – to investigate, expose, analyse and explain state powers and threats to civil liberties and human rights – continued to propel our work. It was an extremely busy year for staff, trustees and contributors: we undertook an in-depth strategic planning process and continued to update and improve internal policies and procedures, at the same time as maintaining our impressive level of output.</p> <p>Our work led to some notable victories over the course of the year, in particular regarding secrecy and transparency: EU agencies Europol (policing) and Frontex (border control) committed themselves to complying with the EU’s transparency laws, following the conclusion of a complaints procedure we initiated in 2019. We also successfully pushed the European Commission to comply with its own rules of procedure and to publish the names of participants in two expert groups, dealing with search and rescue in the Mediterranean, and the use of artificial intelligence in home affairs.</p> <p>Our research and investigations continued to contribute to public and political debate in Europe and beyond, providing the basis for coverage in major press outlets; submissions to public consultations held by the UK, EU and UN institutions and agencies; and questions in the European Parliament. Our work has been used by national and international human rights organisations and lawyers’ associations, and in important legal challenges and parliamentary inquiries – particularly with regards to Frontex, the EU’s border agency. Throughout 2021 we also continued to deepen our alliances with other organizations and within our networks, leading to important collaborative work that has gone on to bear fruit in 2022.</p> <p>Issues of strategy and governance were a core focus for staff, trustees and contributors throughout 2021. A huge amount of work was put into a year-long strategic planning process that led to the drafting of a new five-year strategic plan for Statewatch, in order to provide a clear direction and renewed sense of purpose at a time when civil liberties, human rights and democratic standards are under threat in the UK, across Europe and beyond. This will guide our work as we seek to expand the organisation in the years to come. The updated governance policies we continued to work on throughout 2021 will ensure <em>Statewatch </em>remains a well-functioning and welcoming organisation.</p> <p>The quality and importance of Statewatch’s work is clear, but there remain a number of obstacles to obtaining the stability and sustainability necessary for us to reach our full potential. As our President, Gareth Peirce, remarked many years ago:</p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>“In routinely placing complex policies and increased state powers in the public domain, Statewatch performs a function that no other organisation fulfils. One is driven to wonder what it could have accomplished, and could accomplish in the future, were it to have even a tiny percentage of the resources enjoyed by other organisations.”</em></p> <p>Increasing the resources available to <em>Statewatch</em> to ensure that we can adequately fulfil our mission will remain the key task in the years to come.</p> <hr> <p>Read the full report <a rel="noopener" data-udi="umb://media/497031b562aa4017972ddeb89d417389" href="/media/3523/sw-impact-report-2021-final.pdf" target="_blank" title="Sw Impact Report 2021 Final">here</a> (pdf). You can find our full annual report and accounts on the website of <a rel="noopener" href="https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5037262/accounts-and-annual-returns" target="_blank">the Charity Commission</a>.</p> <p> </p> Read the full report here (pdf). You can find our full annual report and accounts on the website of the Charity Commission.


Three decades of Statewatch, a year of transition

2021 marked Statewatch’s 30th birthday and an important transitional year following the retirement of the founder and Director, Tony Bunyan, in autumn 2020 (Tony is now Director Emeritus of Statewatch). Three decades after Statewatch was founded, our commitment to the sense of purpose that has animated Statewatch since 1991 – to investigate, expose, analyse and explain state powers and threats to civil liberties and human rights – continued to propel our work. It was an extremely busy year for staff, trustees and contributors: we undertook an in-depth strategic planning process and continued to update and improve internal policies and procedures, at the same time as maintaining our impressive level of output.

Our work led to some notable victories over the course of the year, in particular regarding secrecy and transparency: EU agencies Europol (policing) and Frontex (border control) committed themselves to complying with the EU’s transparency laws, following the conclusion of a complaints procedure we initiated in 2019. We also successfully pushed the European Commission to comply with its own rules of procedure and to publish the names of participants in two expert groups, dealing with search and rescue in the Mediterranean, and the use of artificial intelligence in home affairs.

Our research and investigations continued to contribute to public and political debate in Europe and beyond, providing the basis for coverage in major press outlets; submissions to public consultations held by the UK, EU and UN institutions and agencies; and questions in the European Parliament. Our work has been used by national and international human rights organisations and lawyers’ associations, and in important legal challenges and parliamentary inquiries – particularly with regards to Frontex, the EU’s border agency. Throughout 2021 we also continued to deepen our alliances with other organizations and within our networks, leading to important collaborative work that has gone on to bear fruit in 2022.

Issues of strategy and governance were a core focus for staff, trustees and contributors throughout 2021. A huge amount of work was put into a year-long strategic planning process that led to the drafting of a new five-year strategic plan for Statewatch, in order to provide a clear direction and renewed sense of purpose at a time when civil liberties, human rights and democratic standards are under threat in the UK, across Europe and beyond. This will guide our work as we seek to expand the organisation in the years to come. The updated governance policies we continued to work on throughout 2021 will ensure Statewatch remains a well-functioning and welcoming organisation.

The quality and importance of Statewatch’s work is clear, but there remain a number of obstacles to obtaining the stability and sustainability necessary for us to reach our full potential. As our President, Gareth Peirce, remarked many years ago:

“In routinely placing complex policies and increased state powers in the public domain, Statewatch performs a function that no other organisation fulfils. One is driven to wonder what it could have accomplished, and could accomplish in the future, were it to have even a tiny percentage of the resources enjoyed by other organisations.”

Increasing the resources available to Statewatch to ensure that we can adequately fulfil our mission will remain the key task in the years to come.


Read the full report here (pdf). You can find our full annual report and accounts on the website of the Charity Commission.

 

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Annual activity report 2022 https://www.statewatch.org/about/annual-reports/annual-activity-report-2022/ Statewatch Thu, 12 Oct 2023 16:43:20 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/annual-reports/annual-activity-report-2022/ <p><em><img src="/media/3524/sw-impact-report-2021-cover.jpg" alt="" width="100%" data-udi="umb://media/655193e3d564468d9fb0c8ef7390b72b"></em><br><em>Read the full report <a rel="noopener" data-udi="umb://media/d57435157f234ea4be029e9750f42d50" href="/media/4073/sw-activity-report-2022.pdf" target="_blank" title="Sw Activity Report 2022">here</a> (pdf). You can find our full annual report and accounts on the website of <a rel="noopener" href="https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5037262/accounts-and-annual-returns" target="_blank">the Charity Commission</a>.</em></p> <hr> <h2>Rights, freedom and democracy: the struggle is continuous</h2> <p>In a media and information environment dominated by clickbait, sensationalism, misinformation and outright propaganda, the work of <em>Statewatch </em>remains uniquely valuable for its commitment to cold, hard, facts; clear and critical analysis; and straightforward language.</p> <p>In the midst of multiple ongoing crises that are, in various ways, being used to enhance state power and accelerate militarisation and ‘securitisation’ – wars, the mass displacement of people, racism, the growing normalisation of the far-right, huge increases in the cost of living, ecological devastation – we have continued to carry out our core task of providing critical research, policy analysis and investigative journalism that aims to contribute to the movements and struggles that seek to address them.</p> <p>In 2022, we did so in the framework of the new strategic plan that we drew up over the course of 2021. This is the first time that <em>Statewatch</em> has adopted such a detailed, long-term plan. It does not introduce any fundamental changes in what we do or why, but has provided an invaluable framework and reference to guide our work, clarity over our objectives, and has already led to some important achievements.</p> <p>Our first overarching objective is to strengthen civil society’s access to information. In 2022, the primary means by which we pursued this objective was by providing direct access to official documentation that would otherwise not be public: we published more than 100 documents that allow people to see for themselves what is normally discussed behind closed doors, enabling interventions by civil society organisations into secretive legislative deliberations that should take place in public, democratic fora.</p> <p>Our second overarching objective is to expose and challenge new means of surveillance, coercion and control. We have undertaken in-depth investigations into the externalisation of EU border controls, the new powers granted to EU police agency Europol, post-Brexit policing and security cooperation between the UK and EU, and published an in-depth guide to the EU’s ballooning security budgets.</p> <p>These issues may not always have immediate impact, nor obvious media appeal – but they represent broader structural changes in state activity that will have a substantial impact over the years to come. The fact that many of our investigations from previous years continue to be cited by other civil society organisations demonstrates the long-term value of this approach.</p> <p>At the same time, we have also sought to address more ‘immediate’ issues. Our work on the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act has contributed to a vital civil society effort to seek human rights protections in a law that, if it does as its drafters intend, will shape the global regulatory environment for a key technology for many years to come, and which will have substantial effects on policing, security, immigration and criminal justice policy. Equally, our news service continued to provide a vital source of information to campaigners, advocacy organisations and journalists seeking up-to-date information: over the course of 2022, we published almost 160 news articles to draw attention to key developments in ongoing legislative and policy discussions.</p> <p>The third overarching objective set out in our strategic plan is to build a more effective and sustainable organisation. This has required making more time for one-to-one discussions between the director and other staff, ensuring that questions of training, learning and staff development are regularly discussed, and that any problems or concerns can be frankly and openly discussed. It has also required an improvement in material conditions: despite our work largely being financed by grants for projects, in 2022 it was possible to institute a pay increase for all staff. As always, the board has been invaluable in providing advice, guidance and support with these and other questions.</p> <p>These improvements should not disguise the fact that all our work was carried out on a limited budget and with extremely limited staff time – a total of just 14 working days per week. The size of the organisation is a constant surprise to people familiar with our work but unfamiliar with our internal administration, and the amount achieved in 2022, as every year, is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff, the board and <em>Statewatch</em>’s network of contributors and volunteers.</p> <p>As this report demonstrates well, 2022 was another productive year for <em>Statewatch</em>. Our reporting, analysis and publications continue to be widely-used by advocacy groups, campaigning organisations, lawyers and many others, and our work is regularly featured in the press across Europe and the wider world, influencing public and political debate. Our audience continues to grow steadily and our work is considered reliable, authoritative and timely. The question for 2023 and beyond is how to build upon these foundations so that we can more effectively contribute to the movements for rights, freedoms and democracy that are so desperately needed in Europe and beyond.</p> <p>Chris Jones<br>Executive Director</p> <hr> <p><em>Read the full report <a rel="noopener" data-udi="umb://media/d57435157f234ea4be029e9750f42d50" href="/media/4073/sw-activity-report-2022.pdf" target="_blank" title="Sw Activity Report 2022">here</a> (pdf). You can find our full annual report and accounts on the website of <a rel="noopener" href="https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5037262/accounts-and-annual-returns" target="_blank">the Charity Commission</a>.</em></p>
Read the full report here (pdf). You can find our full annual report and accounts on the website of the Charity Commission.


Rights, freedom and democracy: the struggle is continuous

In a media and information environment dominated by clickbait, sensationalism, misinformation and outright propaganda, the work of Statewatch remains uniquely valuable for its commitment to cold, hard, facts; clear and critical analysis; and straightforward language.

In the midst of multiple ongoing crises that are, in various ways, being used to enhance state power and accelerate militarisation and ‘securitisation’ – wars, the mass displacement of people, racism, the growing normalisation of the far-right, huge increases in the cost of living, ecological devastation – we have continued to carry out our core task of providing critical research, policy analysis and investigative journalism that aims to contribute to the movements and struggles that seek to address them.

In 2022, we did so in the framework of the new strategic plan that we drew up over the course of 2021. This is the first time that Statewatch has adopted such a detailed, long-term plan. It does not introduce any fundamental changes in what we do or why, but has provided an invaluable framework and reference to guide our work, clarity over our objectives, and has already led to some important achievements.

Our first overarching objective is to strengthen civil society’s access to information. In 2022, the primary means by which we pursued this objective was by providing direct access to official documentation that would otherwise not be public: we published more than 100 documents that allow people to see for themselves what is normally discussed behind closed doors, enabling interventions by civil society organisations into secretive legislative deliberations that should take place in public, democratic fora.

Our second overarching objective is to expose and challenge new means of surveillance, coercion and control. We have undertaken in-depth investigations into the externalisation of EU border controls, the new powers granted to EU police agency Europol, post-Brexit policing and security cooperation between the UK and EU, and published an in-depth guide to the EU’s ballooning security budgets.

These issues may not always have immediate impact, nor obvious media appeal – but they represent broader structural changes in state activity that will have a substantial impact over the years to come. The fact that many of our investigations from previous years continue to be cited by other civil society organisations demonstrates the long-term value of this approach.

At the same time, we have also sought to address more ‘immediate’ issues. Our work on the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act has contributed to a vital civil society effort to seek human rights protections in a law that, if it does as its drafters intend, will shape the global regulatory environment for a key technology for many years to come, and which will have substantial effects on policing, security, immigration and criminal justice policy. Equally, our news service continued to provide a vital source of information to campaigners, advocacy organisations and journalists seeking up-to-date information: over the course of 2022, we published almost 160 news articles to draw attention to key developments in ongoing legislative and policy discussions.

The third overarching objective set out in our strategic plan is to build a more effective and sustainable organisation. This has required making more time for one-to-one discussions between the director and other staff, ensuring that questions of training, learning and staff development are regularly discussed, and that any problems or concerns can be frankly and openly discussed. It has also required an improvement in material conditions: despite our work largely being financed by grants for projects, in 2022 it was possible to institute a pay increase for all staff. As always, the board has been invaluable in providing advice, guidance and support with these and other questions.

These improvements should not disguise the fact that all our work was carried out on a limited budget and with extremely limited staff time – a total of just 14 working days per week. The size of the organisation is a constant surprise to people familiar with our work but unfamiliar with our internal administration, and the amount achieved in 2022, as every year, is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff, the board and Statewatch’s network of contributors and volunteers.

As this report demonstrates well, 2022 was another productive year for Statewatch. Our reporting, analysis and publications continue to be widely-used by advocacy groups, campaigning organisations, lawyers and many others, and our work is regularly featured in the press across Europe and the wider world, influencing public and political debate. Our audience continues to grow steadily and our work is considered reliable, authoritative and timely. The question for 2023 and beyond is how to build upon these foundations so that we can more effectively contribute to the movements for rights, freedoms and democracy that are so desperately needed in Europe and beyond.

Chris Jones
Executive Director


Read the full report here (pdf). You can find our full annual report and accounts on the website of the Charity Commission.

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In the press https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/ Statewatch Wed, 05 Oct 2022 16:58:35 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/ Frontex and Europol pledge greater access to documents https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/frontex-and-europol-pledge-greater-access-to-documents/ Statewatch Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:07:47 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/frontex-and-europol-pledge-greater-access-to-documents/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"The EU police agency Europol, and its border guard agency Frontex, have pledged to improve public access to documents.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>The pledge came after demands first made in 2012 by the London-based civil liberties charity Statewatch."</em></p> <p>Full story <a href="https://euobserver.com/institutional/150626">here</a>.</p> "The EU police agency Europol, and its border guard agency Frontex, have pledged to improve public access to documents.

The pledge came after demands first made in 2012 by the London-based civil liberties charity Statewatch."

Full story here.

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La 5G provoque un vent de panique au sein des services de sécurité européens https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/la-5g-provoque-un-vent-de-panique-au-sein-des-services-de-securite-europeens/ Statewatch Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:07:54 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/la-5g-provoque-un-vent-de-panique-au-sein-des-services-de-securite-europeens/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"La réflexion européenne a, jusqu’ici, peu porté sur le rôle des forces de l’ordre dans la future société de la 5G où, selon les experts, 20 milliards d’appareils seront bientôt connectés. Et pourtant, la nouvelle technologie « crée la panique chez les officiels chargés de la sécurité parce qu’elle pourrait réduire dramatiquement leur capacité à mener des “interceptions légales”, plus connues sous le nom d’écoutes téléphoniques », note une récente étude de Statewatch, une ONG britannique attachée à la défense des libertés."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2019/06/12/la-5g-provoque-un-vent-de-panique-au-sein-des-services-de-securite-europeens_5475179_3234.html" target="_blank">here</a> (paywall).</p> "La réflexion européenne a, jusqu’ici, peu porté sur le rôle des forces de l’ordre dans la future société de la 5G où, selon les experts, 20 milliards d’appareils seront bientôt connectés. Et pourtant, la nouvelle technologie « crée la panique chez les officiels chargés de la sécurité parce qu’elle pourrait réduire dramatiquement leur capacité à mener des “interceptions légales”, plus connues sous le nom d’écoutes téléphoniques », note une récente étude de Statewatch, une ONG britannique attachée à la défense des libertés."

Full article here (paywall).

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E-Privacy-Verordnung: EU-Ratsspitze will breiteren Datenzugriff zulassen https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/e-privacy-verordnung-eu-ratsspitze-will-breiteren-datenzugriff-zulassen/ Statewatch Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:07:56 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/e-privacy-verordnung-eu-ratsspitze-will-breiteren-datenzugriff-zulassen/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Als "wichtigste Änderung" bezeichnet die portugiesische Regierung <a rel="external noopener" href="/news/2021/january/eu-e-privacy-regulation-council-presidency-aims-for-consensus-with-amended-text/" target="_blank">nach dem von der Bürgerrechtsorganisation Statewatch veröffentlichten Text</a> ihren Vorschlag, dass Firmen und Behörden Metadaten wie Verbindungsinformationen für andere Zwecke als die ursprünglich vorgesehenen und vom Nutzer gestatteten verwenden können sollen. Wichtigste Voraussetzung dafür ist, dass die Verarbeitung "kompatibel" ist zur zunächst freigegebenen Absicht. Dies soll auch für Eingriffe in "Terminal-Ausrüstung" wie Browser etwa durch das Setzen von Cookies und das Auslesen damit verknüpfter Nutzerinformationen gelten."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.heise.de/news/E-Privacy-Verordnung-EU-Ratsspitze-will-breiteren-Datenzugriff-zulassen-5028158.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "Als "wichtigste Änderung" bezeichnet die portugiesische Regierung nach dem von der Bürgerrechtsorganisation Statewatch veröffentlichten Text ihren Vorschlag, dass Firmen und Behörden Metadaten wie Verbindungsinformationen für andere Zwecke als die ursprünglich vorgesehenen und vom Nutzer gestatteten verwenden können sollen. Wichtigste Voraussetzung dafür ist, dass die Verarbeitung "kompatibel" ist zur zunächst freigegebenen Absicht. Dies soll auch für Eingriffe in "Terminal-Ausrüstung" wie Browser etwa durch das Setzen von Cookies und das Auslesen damit verknüpfter Nutzerinformationen gelten."

Full article here.

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Frontex’s growing pains https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/frontex-s-growing-pains/ Statewatch Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:07:57 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/frontex-s-growing-pains/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Frontex acknowledged the issue in a <a rel="noopener" href="/media/documents/news/2020/may/eu-council-frontex-ECBG-state-of-play-7607-20.pdf" target="_blank">report</a> submitted to the Council of the EU in April 2020, but when Green MEP Özlem Demirel in November submitted a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2020-005132_EN.html" target="_blank">written question</a> as to whether the matter had been resolved, the Commission <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2020-005132-ASW_EN.html" target="_blank">replied</a> that the agency was still “in the process of clarifying” how weapons would be legally acquired and preparing rules for their storage and eventual “transportation to the operational areas.”"</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.politico.eu/article/frontex-growing-pains-europe-migration-border-coast-guards-hiring-chaos/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "Frontex acknowledged the issue in a report submitted to the Council of the EU in April 2020, but when Green MEP Özlem Demirel in November submitted a written question as to whether the matter had been resolved, the Commission replied that the agency was still “in the process of clarifying” how weapons would be legally acquired and preparing rules for their storage and eventual “transportation to the operational areas.”"

Full story here.

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Frontex spent €94,000 on a dinner in Warsaw https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/frontex-spent-94-000-on-a-dinner-in-warsaw/ Statewatch Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:07:58 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/frontex-spent-94-000-on-a-dinner-in-warsaw/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"When EUobserver filed for the documents to release expenditures for European Border and Coast Guard Day, it came with a warning.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Kindly be reminded that the copyrights of the documents rest with Frontex and making these works, available to third parties in this or another form without prior authorisation of Frontex is prohibited," stated a letter from Frontex.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Such threats don't make any sense, says Chris Jones from Statewatch, a civil liberties charity based in the UK.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"It's public money, how can they copyright it? I don't think that copyright argument can stand up to any meaningful scrutiny to be honest," he said."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://euobserver.com/institutional/150625" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "When EUobserver filed for the documents to release expenditures for European Border and Coast Guard Day, it came with a warning.

"Kindly be reminded that the copyrights of the documents rest with Frontex and making these works, available to third parties in this or another form without prior authorisation of Frontex is prohibited," stated a letter from Frontex.

Such threats don't make any sense, says Chris Jones from Statewatch, a civil liberties charity based in the UK.

"It's public money, how can they copyright it? I don't think that copyright argument can stand up to any meaningful scrutiny to be honest," he said."

Full story here.

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Europa financió una 'máquina de la verdad' y prepara una base de datos con información biométrica de 400 millones de personas para proteger sus fronteras, pero no todos están de acuerdo https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/europa-financio-una-maquina-de-la-verdad-y-prepara-una-base-de-datos-con-informacion-biometrica-de-400-millones-de-personas-para-proteger-sus-fronteras-pero-no-todos-estan-de-acuerdo/ Statewatch Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:14:39 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/europa-financio-una-maquina-de-la-verdad-y-prepara-una-base-de-datos-con-informacion-biometrica-de-400-millones-de-personas-para-proteger-sus-fronteras-pero-no-todos-estan-de-acuerdo/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Chris Jones, de Statewatch, recuerda cómo hace unos 4 años interpeló a varios altos cargos de la Comisión Europea de entonces, compartiendo su temor a que se desarrollasen tecnologías como el banco de datos biométricos que ahora Europa está empeñada en crear. Entonces le dijeron que esos temores eran infundados."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.es/tecnologias-vigilancia-europa-deben-preocuparte-ya-799627" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "Chris Jones, de Statewatch, recuerda cómo hace unos 4 años interpeló a varios altos cargos de la Comisión Europea de entonces, compartiendo su temor a que se desarrollasen tecnologías como el banco de datos biométricos que ahora Europa está empeñada en crear. Entonces le dijeron que esos temores eran infundados."

Full article here.

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Greece has a deadly new migration policy – and all of Europe is to blame https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/greece-has-a-deadly-new-migration-policy-and-all-of-europe-is-to-blame/ ashika Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:08:02 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/greece-has-a-deadly-new-migration-policy-and-all-of-europe-is-to-blame/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;">"<em>A report published this month by Statewatch, a civil liberties NGO that monitors the European Union, warns of an emerging EU “deportation machine”: the EU’s border agency Frontex plans to drastically increase its capacity to assist member states with deportations of migrants who have been refused permission to stay.</em>"</p> <p>Full article can be found <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/27/greece-migration-europe-athens-refugees">here</a>.</p> "A report published this month by Statewatch, a civil liberties NGO that monitors the European Union, warns of an emerging EU “deportation machine”: the EU’s border agency Frontex plans to drastically increase its capacity to assist member states with deportations of migrants who have been refused permission to stay."

Full article can be found here.

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Frontex is een oncontroleerbaar beest geworden https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/frontex-is-een-oncontroleerbaar-beest-geworden/ ashika Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:08:04 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/frontex-is-een-oncontroleerbaar-beest-geworden/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;">"<em>Grote zorgen maakt Gionco zich over de toegenomen rol in het terugkeerbeleid. ‘Om een idee te geven: sinds 2007 deporteerde Frontex volgens Statewatch vijftigduizend mensen. Het doel van het nieuwe migratiepact is dat Frontex datzelfde aantal per jaar zal uitzetten’, zegt Marta Gionco. ‘Dat is echt heel zorgelijk. Onduidelijk is hoe hun rechten worden gewaarborgd.</em>’"</p> <p>Full article <a href="https://www.groene.nl/artikel/frontex-is-een-oncontroleerbaar-beest-geworden">here</a>.</p> "Grote zorgen maakt Gionco zich over de toegenomen rol in het terugkeerbeleid. ‘Om een idee te geven: sinds 2007 deporteerde Frontex volgens Statewatch vijftigduizend mensen. Het doel van het nieuwe migratiepact is dat Frontex datzelfde aantal per jaar zal uitzetten’, zegt Marta Gionco. ‘Dat is echt heel zorgelijk. Onduidelijk is hoe hun rechten worden gewaarborgd.’"

Full article here.

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EU border agency says biometrics interoperability framework includes robust safeguards https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-border-agency-says-biometrics-interoperability-framework-includes-robust-safeguards/ ashika Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:08:05 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-border-agency-says-biometrics-interoperability-framework-includes-robust-safeguards/ <p><em>"Statewatch and Codastory both mention issues with the CIR project in their respective reports, such as racial profiling, child protection, false positives and the potential for misuse of the database, especially among immigration officials."</em></p> <p>Find article <a href="https://www.biometricupdate.com/202012/eu-border-agency-says-biometrics-interoperability-framework-includes-robust-safeguards">here</a>.</p> <p>Find Statewatch's report <a href="https://www.statewatch.org/media/documents/analyses/eu-interop-morphs-into-central-database.pdf">here</a>.</p> "Statewatch and Codastory both mention issues with the CIR project in their respective reports, such as racial profiling, child protection, false positives and the potential for misuse of the database, especially among immigration officials."

Find article here.

Find Statewatch's report here.

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EU agrees to deploy warships to enforce Libya arms embargo https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-agrees-to-deploy-warships-to-enforce-libya-arms-embargo/ ashika Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:08:16 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-agrees-to-deploy-warships-to-enforce-libya-arms-embargo/ <p><em>"An internal EU memo, released by the London-based civil liberties group Statewatch, underscores that the EU does not expect to be involved in rescuing people. “Naval assets can be deployed in the areas most relevant to the implementation of the arms embargo, in the eastern part of the area of operation or at least 100km off the Libyan coast, where chances to conduct rescue operations are lower,” it says."</em></p> <p> </p> <p>Find article <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/17/eu-agrees-deploy-warships-enforce-libya-arms-embargo">here</a>.</p> <p> </p> "An internal EU memo, released by the London-based civil liberties group Statewatch, underscores that the EU does not expect to be involved in rescuing people. “Naval assets can be deployed in the areas most relevant to the implementation of the arms embargo, in the eastern part of the area of operation or at least 100km off the Libyan coast, where chances to conduct rescue operations are lower,” it says."

 

Find article here.

 

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Europol charts ‘value of accessing data’ in encrypted cybercrime https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/europol-charts-value-of-accessing-data-in-encrypted-cybercrime/ ashika Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:08:18 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/europol-charts-value-of-accessing-data-in-encrypted-cybercrime/ <p><em>One document obtained by Statewatch notes that “there is a need for a regulatory framework that safeguards the advantages of end-to-end encryption without compromising the ability of law enforcement agencies and judicial authorities to protect the general public”.</em></p> <p><em>It added that in order to preserve the crime-fighting capacities of EU police authorities, “new solutions may be required with the support of service providers.”</em></p> <p> </p> <p>Find article <a href="https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/europol-charts-value-of-accessing-data-in-encrypted-cybercrime/">here</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p>Find the document released by Statewatch <a href="https://www.statewatch.org/media/1352/eu-council-security-despite-encryption-10728-20.pdf">here</a>.</p> One document obtained by Statewatch notes that “there is a need for a regulatory framework that safeguards the advantages of end-to-end encryption without compromising the ability of law enforcement agencies and judicial authorities to protect the general public”.

It added that in order to preserve the crime-fighting capacities of EU police authorities, “new solutions may be required with the support of service providers.”

 

Find article here.

 

Find the document released by Statewatch here.

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EU inches closer to ban on end-to-end encryption https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-inches-closer-to-ban-on-end-to-end-encryption/ ashika Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:08:19 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-inches-closer-to-ban-on-end-to-end-encryption/ <p><em>"The Council of the European Union appears to have a near-completed resolution that would propose a ban on the use of end-to-end encryption on off-the-shelf apps such as <a href="https://www.itpro.co.uk/search/whatsapp" class="polaris__link">WhatsApp</a> and Signal, according to a leaked document.</em></p> <p><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://files.orf.at/vietnam2/files/fm4/202045/783284_fh_st12143-re01en20_783284.pdf" target="_blank" class="polaris__link -is-external">The memo</a>, dated 6 November and addressed to representatives from EU member states, reveals that strong encryption remains a priority for lawmakers but that the availability of <a href="https://www.itpro.co.uk/security/innovation-at-work/29580/the-truth-about-encryption" class="polaris__link">end-to-end encryption</a> has made it overly difficult for law enforcement to conduct investigations."</em></p> <p><em>"The document appears to be a draft resolution from a meeting held on 3 November between members of the Justice and Home Affairs Council, titled ‘Security through encryption and security despite encryption’. Resolutions of this kind are not legally binding, but it may be used in the future to inform new legislation."</em></p> <p><em>"Its existence doesn’t come as a complete surprise given that earlier document using the same title, leaked in September and <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.statewatch.org/media/1352/eu-council-security-despite-encryption-10728-20.pdf" target="_blank" class="polaris__link -is-external">circulated by Statewatch</a>, made it clear that the topic had been discussed in numerous council meetings since 2016."</em></p> <p> </p> <p>Find article <a href="https://www.itpro.co.uk/security/357699/leaked-memo-suggests-eu-ban-on-end-to-end-encryption-imminent">here</a>.</p> "The Council of the European Union appears to have a near-completed resolution that would propose a ban on the use of end-to-end encryption on off-the-shelf apps such as WhatsApp and Signal, according to a leaked document.

The memo, dated 6 November and addressed to representatives from EU member states, reveals that strong encryption remains a priority for lawmakers but that the availability of end-to-end encryption has made it overly difficult for law enforcement to conduct investigations."

"The document appears to be a draft resolution from a meeting held on 3 November between members of the Justice and Home Affairs Council, titled ‘Security through encryption and security despite encryption’. Resolutions of this kind are not legally binding, but it may be used in the future to inform new legislation."

"Its existence doesn’t come as a complete surprise given that earlier document using the same title, leaked in September and circulated by Statewatch, made it clear that the topic had been discussed in numerous council meetings since 2016."

 

Find article here.

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EU-Staaten bremsen bei neuen Kompetenzen für Europol https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-staaten-bremsen-bei-neuen-kompetenzen-fur-europol/ ashika Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:08:21 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-staaten-bremsen-bei-neuen-kompetenzen-fur-europol/ <p><em><img src="https://tubestatic.orf.at/static/images/site/tube/20210311/eu_ministerrat_europol_at1.5954128.jpg" alt="EU Ministerrat zu Europol" title="© EU Ministerrat" width="800" height="268"></em></p> <p><em>"Das von der britischen Bürgerrechtsorganisation <a href="https://www.statewatch.org/news/2021/march/eu-more-powers-for-europol-what-does-your-government-think/">Statewatch veröffentlichte Dokument</a> zeigt den Stand der Diskussion vom 5. März und listet alle bis dahin eingegangenen Eingaben der nationalen Polizeibehörden auf. Die werden pro Mitgliedsland obendrein in vier Tranchen aufgelistet, die sich an den jeweiligen Ratssitzungen seit Jänner orientieren. Ebenso wie der schiere Umfang von 189 Seiten erschwert das den Überblick erheblich. Hier im Bild ist der erste Einwand der österreichischen Delegation."</em></p> <p> </p> <p>Final article <a href="https://fm4.orf.at/stories/3013031/">here</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p>Find Statewatch's overview and commentary on the leaked documents <a href="https://www.statewatch.org/news/2021/march/eu-more-powers-for-europol-what-does-your-government-think/">here</a>.</p> EU Ministerrat zu Europol

"Das von der britischen Bürgerrechtsorganisation Statewatch veröffentlichte Dokument zeigt den Stand der Diskussion vom 5. März und listet alle bis dahin eingegangenen Eingaben der nationalen Polizeibehörden auf. Die werden pro Mitgliedsland obendrein in vier Tranchen aufgelistet, die sich an den jeweiligen Ratssitzungen seit Jänner orientieren. Ebenso wie der schiere Umfang von 189 Seiten erschwert das den Überblick erheblich. Hier im Bild ist der erste Einwand der österreichischen Delegation."

 

Final article here.

 

Find Statewatch's overview and commentary on the leaked documents here.

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Why EU needs to be wary that AI will increase racial profiling https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/why-eu-needs-to-be-wary-that-ai-will-increase-racial-profiling/ Statewatch Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:17:57 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/why-eu-needs-to-be-wary-that-ai-will-increase-racial-profiling/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"In another proposed legislation, the European Commission is attempting to enhance Europol's (the EU policing agency) capacity to make use of big data – both in its operations and in the context of 'research and innovation'.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>As <a href="/news/2021/february/big-data-experiments-new-powers-for-europol-risk-reinforcing-police-bias/">argued by Statewatch</a>, the European Council is already heavily subscribed to the idea that police should make more use of artificial intelligence.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>However, the EU using data "hoovered up from the member states" for research or operations presents a major concern of reinforcing historic patterns of racist policing as well as deepening police surveillance."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://euobserver.com/opinion/151556" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "In another proposed legislation, the European Commission is attempting to enhance Europol's (the EU policing agency) capacity to make use of big data – both in its operations and in the context of 'research and innovation'.

As argued by Statewatch, the European Council is already heavily subscribed to the idea that police should make more use of artificial intelligence.

However, the EU using data "hoovered up from the member states" for research or operations presents a major concern of reinforcing historic patterns of racist policing as well as deepening police surveillance."

Full article here.

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EU commission calls Frontex its new 'Return Agency' https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-commission-calls-frontex-its-new-return-agency/ Statewatch Thu, 29 Apr 2021 09:20:21 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-commission-calls-frontex-its-new-return-agency/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"And in March, ministers of foreign and internal affairs discussed to what extent other countries accepted the return of their nationals from the EU.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>The talks centred around an internal document from the European Commission, measuring the cooperation of 39 countries.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>It has since been <a href="/media/2297/eu-com-readmission-report-on-cooperation-restricted-com-2021-55-final.pdf">leaked by London-based civil liberties charity, Statewatch</a>."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://euobserver.com/migration/151691" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "And in March, ministers of foreign and internal affairs discussed to what extent other countries accepted the return of their nationals from the EU.

The talks centred around an internal document from the European Commission, measuring the cooperation of 39 countries.

It has since been leaked by London-based civil liberties charity, Statewatch."

Full article here.

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La base de données biométriques du Sénégal facilite l’expulsion de l’UE https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/la-base-de-donnees-biometriques-du-senegal-facilite-l-expulsion-de-l-ue/ Statewatch Thu, 13 May 2021 13:33:13 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/la-base-de-donnees-biometriques-du-senegal-facilite-l-expulsion-de-l-ue/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Le système national de base de données biométriques du Sénégal aide désormais les États membres de l’Union européenne (UE) à procéder à l’expulsion forcée des résidents indésirables de ce pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest de l’espace européen, selon Statewatch, qui cite un document restreint de la Commission européenne qu’il a examiné."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://futursmedias.sn/international/la-base-de-donnees-biometriques-du-senegal-facilite-lexpulsion-de-lue/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "Le système national de base de données biométriques du Sénégal aide désormais les États membres de l’Union européenne (UE) à procéder à l’expulsion forcée des résidents indésirables de ce pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest de l’espace européen, selon Statewatch, qui cite un document restreint de la Commission européenne qu’il a examiné."

Full article here.

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L’Unione Europea punta tutto sui rimpatri https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/l-unione-europea-punta-tutto-sui-rimpatri/ Statewatch Mon, 17 May 2021 16:39:43 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/l-unione-europea-punta-tutto-sui-rimpatri/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"<span style="font-weight: 400;">Secondo l’Ong Statewatch i migranti registrati ai confini europei potrebbero essere così soggetti a una detenzione prolungata fino a 10 mesi prima che avvenga il rimpatrio, senza possibilità di ricevere assistenza legale esterna: </span><a href="/news/2021/may/eu-detention-at-the-borders-to-increase-voluntary-return-of-migrants/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">“bloccati e senza opzioni</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>”, denuncia secca la no profit britannica."</em><br></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://openmigration.org/analisi/lunione-europea-punta-tutto-sui-rimpatri/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p> "Secondo l’Ong Statewatch i migranti registrati ai confini europei potrebbero essere così soggetti a una detenzione prolungata fino a 10 mesi prima che avvenga il rimpatrio, senza possibilità di ricevere assistenza legale esterna: “bloccati e senza opzioni”, denuncia secca la no profit britannica."

Full article here.

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Workplace, public space: workers organising in the age of facial recognition https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/workplace-public-space-workers-organising-in-the-age-of-facial-recognition/ Statewatch Tue, 06 Jul 2021 09:32:26 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/workplace-public-space-workers-organising-in-the-age-of-facial-recognition/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"The documented partnership between private and public surveillance actors in the European Union has been described by the longstanding civil-liberties organisation Statewatch as the ‘security-industrial complex’."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://socialeurope.eu/workplace-public-space-workers-organising-in-the-age-of-facial-recognition" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "The documented partnership between private and public surveillance actors in the European Union has been described by the longstanding civil-liberties organisation Statewatch as the ‘security-industrial complex’."

Full article here.

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Priti Patel’s new threat to British journalists https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/priti-patel-s-new-threat-to-british-journalists/ Statewatch Tue, 06 Jul 2021 09:38:34 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/priti-patel-s-new-threat-to-british-journalists/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"<span style="font-weight: 400;">Tony Bunyan, emeritus director of Statewatch, a group devoted to monitoring threats to civil liberties, warns that British leakers of information would be treated the same as foreigners indulging in espionage — what Margaret Thatcher called the “enemy within” would be treated the same as foreign spies.</span></em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bunyan also points to the Home Office paper’s suggestion that extra powers should be given to the police under a new Police and Criminal Evidence (Pace) act. The paper says new powers would be needed to “enhance our ability to detect, deter, disrupt and prosecute those acting against the UK and its interests”. </span></em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">He</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">says</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> this clearly refers to the use of “remote access” to any computer or phone anywhere to collect evidence or to alter files which are part of the armoury of GCHQ, Britain’s signals intelligence agency.</span>"</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-06-15-priti-patels-new-threat-to-british-journalists/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "Tony Bunyan, emeritus director of Statewatch, a group devoted to monitoring threats to civil liberties, warns that British leakers of information would be treated the same as foreigners indulging in espionage — what Margaret Thatcher called the “enemy within” would be treated the same as foreign spies.

Bunyan also points to the Home Office paper’s suggestion that extra powers should be given to the police under a new Police and Criminal Evidence (Pace) act. The paper says new powers would be needed to “enhance our ability to detect, deter, disrupt and prosecute those acting against the UK and its interests”. 

He says this clearly refers to the use of “remote access” to any computer or phone anywhere to collect evidence or to alter files which are part of the armoury of GCHQ, Britain’s signals intelligence agency."

Full article here.

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Refugee support organisation calls for donations after donor pulls out following Greek ‘criminalisation campaign’ https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/refugee-support-organisation-calls-for-donations-after-donor-pulls-out-following-greek-criminalisation-campaign/ Statewatch Tue, 06 Jul 2021 09:43:28 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/refugee-support-organisation-calls-for-donations-after-donor-pulls-out-following-greek-criminalisation-campaign/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Meanwhile, in a letter dated June 1 and leaked to civil liberties organisation Statewatch, the interior ministries of Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland call on the European Commission to ensure steps are taken to stop people using Greek travel documents issued to refugees from claiming asylum in their countries."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/w/refugee-support-organisation-calls-donations-after-donor-pulls-out-following" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "Meanwhile, in a letter dated June 1 and leaked to civil liberties organisation Statewatch, the interior ministries of Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland call on the European Commission to ensure steps are taken to stop people using Greek travel documents issued to refugees from claiming asylum in their countries."

Full article here.

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Gilles de Kerchove erfindet „linksterroristische“ Gefahr https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/gilles-de-kerchove-erfindet-linksterroristische-gefahr/ Statewatch Tue, 06 Jul 2021 09:47:36 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/gilles-de-kerchove-erfindet-linksterroristische-gefahr/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Jedes Land kann selbst bestimmen, ob die im Jahresbericht genannten Vorfälle als „extremistisch“ oder „terroristisch“ eingestuft werden. Es ist offensichtlich, dass die hohen Zahlen für „Linksterrorismus“ der speziellen Zählweise italienischer Behörden geschuldet ist. Trotzdem hat der EU-Anti-Terrorismus-Koordinator Gilles de Kerchove nun ein Papier vorgelegt, das Initiativen gegen einen darin beschworenen „Linksterrorismus“ vorschlägt. Die britische Bürgerrechtsorganisation Statewatch hat es veröffentlicht."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://netzpolitik.org/2021/ausscheidender-eu-berater-gilles-de-kerchove-erfindet-linksterroristische-gefahr/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "Jedes Land kann selbst bestimmen, ob die im Jahresbericht genannten Vorfälle als „extremistisch“ oder „terroristisch“ eingestuft werden. Es ist offensichtlich, dass die hohen Zahlen für „Linksterrorismus“ der speziellen Zählweise italienischer Behörden geschuldet ist. Trotzdem hat der EU-Anti-Terrorismus-Koordinator Gilles de Kerchove nun ein Papier vorgelegt, das Initiativen gegen einen darin beschworenen „Linksterrorismus“ vorschlägt. Die britische Bürgerrechtsorganisation Statewatch hat es veröffentlicht."

Full article here.

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Brits wetsvoorstel: tot 14 jaar celstraf voor journalisten die vertrouwelijke overheidszaken onthullen https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/brits-wetsvoorstel-tot-14-jaar-celstraf-voor-journalisten-die-vertrouwelijke-overheidszaken-onthullen/ Statewatch Thu, 22 Jul 2021 09:10:13 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/brits-wetsvoorstel-tot-14-jaar-celstraf-voor-journalisten-die-vertrouwelijke-overheidszaken-onthullen/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;" class="artstyle__text " data-element-id="b7cd-3151-34a5-385b-c005-57d6-8e2c-868f"><em>"Wat minister van Binnenlandse Zaken Priti Patel nu op tafel wil gaan leggen, lijkt eerder een aanval op de journalistiek te zijn, ook al beweert ze dat de persvrijheid intact blijft. Hoofdredacteuren hebben de noodklok geluid, net zoals organisaties als Index on Censorship en Statewatch. Tijdens de consultatieronde, die donderdag eindigt, zou Patel zelfs hebben beweerd dat perspublicaties gevaarlijker kunnen zijn voor de staatsveiligheid dan buitenlandse spionage."</em></p> <p class="artstyle__text " data-element-id="b7cd-3151-34a5-385b-c005-57d6-8e2c-868f">Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/brits-wetsvoorstel-tot-14-jaar-celstraf-voor-journalisten-die-vertrouwelijke-overheidszaken-onthullen~b087483e/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "Wat minister van Binnenlandse Zaken Priti Patel nu op tafel wil gaan leggen, lijkt eerder een aanval op de journalistiek te zijn, ook al beweert ze dat de persvrijheid intact blijft. Hoofdredacteuren hebben de noodklok geluid, net zoals organisaties als Index on Censorship en Statewatch. Tijdens de consultatieronde, die donderdag eindigt, zou Patel zelfs hebben beweerd dat perspublicaties gevaarlijker kunnen zijn voor de staatsveiligheid dan buitenlandse spionage."

Full article here.

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Auditors: EU migrant return deals 'encourage' arrivals https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/auditors-eu-migrant-return-deals-encourage-arrivals/ Statewatch Fri, 17 Sep 2021 14:44:48 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/auditors-eu-migrant-return-deals-encourage-arrivals/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"The EU has some 24 agreements around the world.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Most are not working as intended, pushing the European Commission to threaten visa restrictions as the EU toughens its approach on returns.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>The point was made repeatedly by EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson over the past year.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"We're using the political pressure, we're using the legal pressure to a third country to have them to comply with cooperation on readmission," she said in August.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Johansson is currently renegotiating several readmission agreements, which have since been linked to a revised visa code.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>It had also reviewed return cooperation by 39 countries in an internal document, <a href="/media/2297/eu-com-readmission-report-on-cooperation-restricted-com-2021-55-final.pdf"> leaked by the London-based civil liberties organisation, Statewatch.</a>"</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://euobserver.com/migration/152892" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "The EU has some 24 agreements around the world.

Most are not working as intended, pushing the European Commission to threaten visa restrictions as the EU toughens its approach on returns.

The point was made repeatedly by EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson over the past year.

"We're using the political pressure, we're using the legal pressure to a third country to have them to comply with cooperation on readmission," she said in August.

Johansson is currently renegotiating several readmission agreements, which have since been linked to a revised visa code.

It had also reviewed return cooperation by 39 countries in an internal document, leaked by the London-based civil liberties organisation, Statewatch."

Full article here.

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Europol soll Evakuierte aus Kabul anstellen https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/europol-soll-evakuierte-aus-kabul-anstellen/ Statewatch Fri, 17 Sep 2021 14:57:01 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/europol-soll-evakuierte-aus-kabul-anstellen/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Der Anti-Terrorismus-Koordinator der Europäischen Union schlägt 22 Maßnahmen für den Umgang mit afghanischen Geflüchteten vor. Der von der britischen Organisation Statewatch veröffentlichte <a href="/news/2021/september/eu-more-war-on-terror-in-the-afghanistan-counter-terrorism-action-plan/">Aktionsplan</a> behandelt die vier Bereiche Sicherheitskontrollen, Strategische Aufklärung, Bekämpfung von Propaganda sowie Terrorismusfinanzierung.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Die Handlungsempfehlungen des Belgiers Gilles de Kerchove gehen auf eine <a href="https://www.consilium.europa.eu/de/meetings/jha/2021/08/31/">Erklärung der EU-Innenminister:innen vom 31. August</a> zurück. Diese betrachtet die Flucht und Migration aus Afghanistan vor allem als Sicherheitsproblem."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://netzpolitik.org/2021/aktionsplan-zu-afghanistan-europol-soll-evakuierte-aus-kabul-anstellen/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "Der Anti-Terrorismus-Koordinator der Europäischen Union schlägt 22 Maßnahmen für den Umgang mit afghanischen Geflüchteten vor. Der von der britischen Organisation Statewatch veröffentlichte Aktionsplan behandelt die vier Bereiche Sicherheitskontrollen, Strategische Aufklärung, Bekämpfung von Propaganda sowie Terrorismusfinanzierung.

Die Handlungsempfehlungen des Belgiers Gilles de Kerchove gehen auf eine Erklärung der EU-Innenminister:innen vom 31. August zurück. Diese betrachtet die Flucht und Migration aus Afghanistan vor allem als Sicherheitsproblem."

Full article here.

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EU agency denies asylum seekers' rights, report says https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-agency-denies-asylum-seekers-rights-report-says/ Statewatch Fri, 17 Sep 2021 14:56:22 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-agency-denies-asylum-seekers-rights-report-says/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Statewatch, a nonprofit organization monitoring civil liberties in the EU, noted that the report was scathing of Fabrice Leggeri, the executive director of Frontex.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>The document claimed he dragged his feet on the recruitment of fundamental rights monitors, while seeking to expand the size of his office to 63 people, which would have been double the size of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's office."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="http://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202107/16/WS60f0e333a310efa1bd6624f1.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "Statewatch, a nonprofit organization monitoring civil liberties in the EU, noted that the report was scathing of Fabrice Leggeri, the executive director of Frontex.

The document claimed he dragged his feet on the recruitment of fundamental rights monitors, while seeking to expand the size of his office to 63 people, which would have been double the size of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's office."

Full article here.

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EU-Migrationskontrolle: Biometrie-Superdatenbank verursacht Milliardenkosten https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-migrationskontrolle-biometrie-superdatenbank-verursacht-milliardenkosten/ Statewatch Fri, 17 Sep 2021 14:59:16 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-migrationskontrolle-biometrie-superdatenbank-verursacht-milliardenkosten/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Noch völlig unklar sind die Kosten für den Anschluss der bestehenden beziehungsweise vorgesehenen Datenbanken SIS, VIS, Eurodac, ETIAS und ECRIS-TCN an den Suchverbund. Sie dürften sich ebenfalls im Milliardenbereich bewegen. Hier gibt es teils aber noch rechtliche Unsicherheiten. So forderten 31 Bürger- und Menschenrechtsorganisationen wie European Digital Rights (EDRi), Access Now, Amnesty und Statewatch den Ausschuss für Bürgerliche Freiheiten, Justiz und Inneres des EU-Parlaments unter der Woche in einem <a rel="external noopener" href="https://edri.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/EURODAC-open-letter.pdf" target="_blank">offenen Brief</a> auf, das Konzept für die Eurodac-Reform grundlegend zu überarbeiten. Es gelte, die Grundrechte und das Völkerrecht zu achten."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.heise.de/news/EU-Migrationskontrolle-Biometrie-Superdatenbank-verursacht-Milliardenkosten-6189788.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "Noch völlig unklar sind die Kosten für den Anschluss der bestehenden beziehungsweise vorgesehenen Datenbanken SIS, VIS, Eurodac, ETIAS und ECRIS-TCN an den Suchverbund. Sie dürften sich ebenfalls im Milliardenbereich bewegen. Hier gibt es teils aber noch rechtliche Unsicherheiten. So forderten 31 Bürger- und Menschenrechtsorganisationen wie European Digital Rights (EDRi), Access Now, Amnesty und Statewatch den Ausschuss für Bürgerliche Freiheiten, Justiz und Inneres des EU-Parlaments unter der Woche in einem offenen Brief auf, das Konzept für die Eurodac-Reform grundlegend zu überarbeiten. Es gelte, die Grundrechte und das Völkerrecht zu achten."

Full article here.

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EU 'stands by Afghans' but wants most kept away https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-stands-by-afghans-but-wants-most-kept-away/ Statewatch Fri, 17 Sep 2021 15:02:30 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-stands-by-afghans-but-wants-most-kept-away/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"European Commission president Von der Leyen has reiterated that the EU is supportive of the citizens of Afghanistan.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"We stand by the Afghan people," she said on Wednesday (15 September), in her state of the union address to the European Parliament.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>But an <a href="/media/2726/eu-council-afghanistan-com-draft-action-plan-migration-10472-1-21-rev1.pdf"> internal document</a> says the EU is seeking to return rejected Afghans elsewhere at a time when the country is mired in chaos. Leaked by civil liberties charity Statewatch, the commission document suggests member states can return Afghans to countries outside the EU.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>The document is dated 10 September and speaks of return deals, noting that a so-called "third-country national readmission clause" should be used "with certain transit countries".</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>The basic idea is to ensure rejected Afghans end up somewhere else aside from Europe and Afghanistan, possibly in countries they transited through. Such clauses are among the primary reasons the EU has failed to conclude negotiations on similar agreements over the past few years."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://euobserver.com/migration/152923" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "European Commission president Von der Leyen has reiterated that the EU is supportive of the citizens of Afghanistan.

"We stand by the Afghan people," she said on Wednesday (15 September), in her state of the union address to the European Parliament.

But an internal document says the EU is seeking to return rejected Afghans elsewhere at a time when the country is mired in chaos. Leaked by civil liberties charity Statewatch, the commission document suggests member states can return Afghans to countries outside the EU.

The document is dated 10 September and speaks of return deals, noting that a so-called "third-country national readmission clause" should be used "with certain transit countries".

The basic idea is to ensure rejected Afghans end up somewhere else aside from Europe and Afghanistan, possibly in countries they transited through. Such clauses are among the primary reasons the EU has failed to conclude negotiations on similar agreements over the past few years."

Full article here.

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Council document hints at progress on cross-border electronic evidence https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/council-document-hints-at-progress-on-cross-border-electronic-evidence/ Statewatch Tue, 03 May 2022 14:33:47 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/council-document-hints-at-progress-on-cross-border-electronic-evidence/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"EU co-legislators appear to be approaching common ground on several key points of the e-Evidence proposal including notification obligations, order suspensions, and grounds for refusal, according to an <a href="/media/2847/eu-council-e-evidence-state-of-play-12155-21.pdf">internal document</a>.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>The document, published by Statewatch, is one of the latest briefings to EU governments on the current negotiations around the European Production and Preservation Orders for electronic evidence in criminal matters."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.euractiv.com/section/data-protection/news/council-document-hints-at-progress-on-cross-border-electronic-evidence/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "EU co-legislators appear to be approaching common ground on several key points of the e-Evidence proposal including notification obligations, order suspensions, and grounds for refusal, according to an internal document.

The document, published by Statewatch, is one of the latest briefings to EU governments on the current negotiations around the European Production and Preservation Orders for electronic evidence in criminal matters."

Full story here.

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Government plans imminent legislation for digital visas https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/government-plans-imminent-legislation-for-digital-visas/ Statewatch Mon, 25 Oct 2021 08:59:36 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/government-plans-imminent-legislation-for-digital-visas/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"The government plans to imminently introduce new legislation for a digital visa system that could collect biometric and other personal information on 30 million people each year.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>(...)</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Campaign group Statewatch is also among the critics of the law and, as part of the ongoing committee inquiry into the bill, has submitted evidence on the implications of the biometric data-gathering."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.publictechnology.net/articles/news/government-plans-imminent-legislation-digital-visas" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "The government plans to imminently introduce new legislation for a digital visa system that could collect biometric and other personal information on 30 million people each year.

(...)

Campaign group Statewatch is also among the critics of the law and, as part of the ongoing committee inquiry into the bill, has submitted evidence on the implications of the biometric data-gathering."

Full article here.

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EU border agency deported record number of people in first half of 2021 https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-border-agency-deported-record-number-of-people-in-first-half-of-2021/ Statewatch Mon, 29 Nov 2021 15:59:05 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-border-agency-deported-record-number-of-people-in-first-half-of-2021/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;" class="dcr-o5gy41"><em>"The EU border agency Frontex deported a record number of people in the first half of the year, according to a leaked document that has sparked concern about people being sent back to countries where they may face war or persecution.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;" class="dcr-o5gy41"><em>(...)</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;" class="dcr-o5gy41"> </p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>The civil liberties NGO Statewatch, which <a href="/news/2021/november/eu-deportations-at-record-levels-as-frontex-foresees-an-unprecedented-number-of-post-pandemic-removals/" data-link-name="in body link">published the leaked report</a>, argued there was “no certainty” that Frontex was not supporting refoulements, ie sending people back to face repression or war in their home countries.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>A spokesperson for Frontex said returns decisions were always made by EU member states in line with EU law."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/29/eu-border-agency-frontex-deportation-record-number" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "The EU border agency Frontex deported a record number of people in the first half of the year, according to a leaked document that has sparked concern about people being sent back to countries where they may face war or persecution.

(...)

 

The civil liberties NGO Statewatch, which published the leaked report, argued there was “no certainty” that Frontex was not supporting refoulements, ie sending people back to face repression or war in their home countries.

A spokesperson for Frontex said returns decisions were always made by EU member states in line with EU law."

Full article here.

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Föräldrar till barn med Downs syndrom riskerar sparken i Turkiet https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/foraldrar-till-barn-med-downs-syndrom-riskerar-sparken-i-turkiet/ Statewatch Tue, 30 Nov 2021 11:33:04 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/foraldrar-till-barn-med-downs-syndrom-riskerar-sparken-i-turkiet/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Han är en av författarna bakom rapporten <a data-id="https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/algorithmic-persecution-in-turkey-s-post-coup-crackdown-the-feto-meter-system/" href="/publications/reports-and-books/algorithmic-persecution-in-turkey-s-post-coup-crackdown-the-feto-meter-system/" data-type="URL">Algorithmic persecution in Turkey´s post-coup crackdown,</a> som har tagits fram av den Brysselbaserade tankesmedjan Statewatch som övervakar efterlevnaden av medborgerliga rättigheter i Europa.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Emre Turkut säger att algoritmen som myndigheterna använder har 200 olika indikatorer som poängsätts.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Att ha ett barn med Downs syndrom ger föräldern ett högt poängtal.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>– Det beror på att Gülenrörelsen är en religiös rörelse där många väljer att inte göra abort. Det kan därför vara en indikator på att en person sympatiserar med rörelsen."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://arbetet.se/2021/11/30/foraldrar-till-barn-med-downs-riskerar-sparken-i-turkiet/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "Han är en av författarna bakom rapporten Algorithmic persecution in Turkey´s post-coup crackdown, som har tagits fram av den Brysselbaserade tankesmedjan Statewatch som övervakar efterlevnaden av medborgerliga rättigheter i Europa.

Emre Turkut säger att algoritmen som myndigheterna använder har 200 olika indikatorer som poängsätts.

Att ha ett barn med Downs syndrom ger föräldern ett högt poängtal.

– Det beror på att Gülenrörelsen är en religiös rörelse där många väljer att inte göra abort. Det kan därför vara en indikator på att en person sympatiserar med rörelsen."

Full article here.

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Turkish Army Uses Algorithm to ‘Persecute’ Gulenists: Report https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/turkish-army-uses-algorithm-to-persecute-gulenists-report/ Statewatch Tue, 30 Nov 2021 11:36:24 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/turkish-army-uses-algorithm-to-persecute-gulenists-report/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"A new report published by StateWatch, a UK-based international rights organisation monitoring the state and civil liberties in Europe, says an algorithm used to detect alleged government opponents in the Turkish Armed Forces, TSK, has been used to persecute thousands of people.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>The report, “<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="/fetometer" target="_blank">Algorithmic persecution in Turkey’s post-coup crackdown: The FETO-Meter system</a>” says more than 20,000 military personnel have been dismissed since a failed coup attempt in 2016 on the basis of algorithms.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>“The report shines a flashlight on the (mis)use of algorithms and other information-based systems by the Turkish government in its ruthless counterterrorism crackdown since the July 2016 events. Thousands of people have been put out of work, detained, and persecuted by reference to ‘scores’ assigned to them by a tool of persecution, the so-called FETO-Meter,” Ali Yildiz, one of the authors of the report and a legal expert, told BIRN."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://balkaninsight.com/2021/11/25/turkish-army-uses-algorithm-to-persecute-gulenists-report/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "A new report published by StateWatch, a UK-based international rights organisation monitoring the state and civil liberties in Europe, says an algorithm used to detect alleged government opponents in the Turkish Armed Forces, TSK, has been used to persecute thousands of people.

The report, “Algorithmic persecution in Turkey’s post-coup crackdown: The FETO-Meter system” says more than 20,000 military personnel have been dismissed since a failed coup attempt in 2016 on the basis of algorithms.

“The report shines a flashlight on the (mis)use of algorithms and other information-based systems by the Turkish government in its ruthless counterterrorism crackdown since the July 2016 events. Thousands of people have been put out of work, detained, and persecuted by reference to ‘scores’ assigned to them by a tool of persecution, the so-called FETO-Meter,” Ali Yildiz, one of the authors of the report and a legal expert, told BIRN."

Full article here.

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Mehrere EU-Staaten drängen auf neue EU-weite Vorratsdatenspeicherung https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/mehrere-eu-staaten-drangen-auf-neue-eu-weite-vorratsdatenspeicherung/ Statewatch Tue, 03 May 2022 14:33:12 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/mehrere-eu-staaten-drangen-auf-neue-eu-weite-vorratsdatenspeicherung/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Die Rückkehr einer gesetzlichen Vorgabe zur Vorratsdatenspeicherung bleibt ein umstrittenes Thema in der EU. Die britische Bürgerrechtsorganisation Statewatch hat jetzt die Positionen von sieben Mitgliedsstaaten dazu veröffentlicht, darunter auch die von Deutschland. Die Mehrheit davon ist demnach für eine neue gesetzliche Pflicht in der gesamten Gemeinschaft für Telekommunikationsfirmen, Verbindungs- und Standortdaten wieder umfassend und nur mehr oder weniger gezielt zu protokollieren."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.heise.de/news/Mehrere-EU-Staaten-draengen-auf-neue-EU-weite-Vorratsdatenspeicherung-6283190.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p> </p> "Die Rückkehr einer gesetzlichen Vorgabe zur Vorratsdatenspeicherung bleibt ein umstrittenes Thema in der EU. Die britische Bürgerrechtsorganisation Statewatch hat jetzt die Positionen von sieben Mitgliedsstaaten dazu veröffentlicht, darunter auch die von Deutschland. Die Mehrheit davon ist demnach für eine neue gesetzliche Pflicht in der gesamten Gemeinschaft für Telekommunikationsfirmen, Verbindungs- und Standortdaten wieder umfassend und nur mehr oder weniger gezielt zu protokollieren."

Full story here.

 

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Turkish Military Targeted by Sinister Algorithm Following 2016 Coup https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/turkish-military-targeted-by-sinister-algorithm-following-2016-coup/ Statewatch Wed, 15 Dec 2021 14:43:18 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/turkish-military-targeted-by-sinister-algorithm-following-2016-coup/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"<a href="https://bylinetimes.com/2020/01/29/erdogans-crackdown-on-lawyers-citizens-have-no-effective-access-to-justice-in-turkey/?fbclid=IwAR23WgUY-8a5TXMzGtslpHz-zzUhdv7l7_TuzZ0Qqdi5B-DMFbk-oeGQCj8">Byline Times</a> reported last year how tens of thousands of civil servants, judges, academics, journalists, police and military officers had been purged or imprisoned over their alleged links to the Gulen movement since the attempted coup. </em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Now,<a href="/publications/reports-and-books/algorithmic-persecution-in-turkey-s-post-coup-crackdown-the-feto-meter-system/"> new research</a> by campaign group Statewatch has revealed that many of those targeted have been profiled and assigned a score to determine their involvement in the coup, using an algorithm operated by a special unit called The Office of Judicial Proceedings and Administrative Action within the Turkish Navy.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>The algorithm, known as a ‘FETO-Meter’, was created by Rear Admiral Cihat Yayci. The Turkish Government refers to the Gulen movement as FETO. It was designed to profile all active and retired military officers. Yayci has<a href="https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/tumamiral-cihat-yayci-genelkurmay-baskanligi-emrine-atandi-1739133"> previously described</a> his approach as a “detect first, then destroy” strategy."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://bylinetimes.com/2021/12/15/turkish-military-targeted-by-sinister-algorithm-following-2016-coup/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "Byline Times reported last year how tens of thousands of civil servants, judges, academics, journalists, police and military officers had been purged or imprisoned over their alleged links to the Gulen movement since the attempted coup. 

Now, new research by campaign group Statewatch has revealed that many of those targeted have been profiled and assigned a score to determine their involvement in the coup, using an algorithm operated by a special unit called The Office of Judicial Proceedings and Administrative Action within the Turkish Navy.

The algorithm, known as a ‘FETO-Meter’, was created by Rear Admiral Cihat Yayci. The Turkish Government refers to the Gulen movement as FETO. It was designed to profile all active and retired military officers. Yayci has previously described his approach as a “detect first, then destroy” strategy."

Full article here.

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EU plans joint bid with Egypt to lead global counter-terrorism body https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-plans-joint-bid-with-egypt-to-lead-global-counter-terrorism-body/ Statewatch Tue, 25 Jan 2022 18:32:32 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-plans-joint-bid-with-egypt-to-lead-global-counter-terrorism-body/ <p style="margin-bottom: 11px; padding-left: 40px;"><em>"The European Union is planning a joint bid with Egypt for the leadership of an influential international organisation shaping global counter-terrorism policies.</em></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 11px; padding-left: 40px;"><em>(...)</em></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 40px;"><em>“Nominating Egypt as a chair of any international counter-terrorism forum is a mockery of the human rights violations in Egypt committed under the guise of the war on terrorism,” Mefreh said.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>According to an EU Council memo dated 11 January and published by <a rel="noopener" href="/media/3056/eu-council-fr-proposal-egypt-gctf-presidency-5119-22.pdf" target="_blank">Statewatch</a>, the proposed joint bid was first raised by members of the EU’s diplomatic service, the European External Action Service (EEAS), at meetings of an EU working party on terrorism in October and November."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/eu-egypt-plans-bid-lead-global-counter-terrorism-body" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "The European Union is planning a joint bid with Egypt for the leadership of an influential international organisation shaping global counter-terrorism policies.

(...)

“Nominating Egypt as a chair of any international counter-terrorism forum is a mockery of the human rights violations in Egypt committed under the guise of the war on terrorism,” Mefreh said.

According to an EU Council memo dated 11 January and published by Statewatch, the proposed joint bid was first raised by members of the EU’s diplomatic service, the European External Action Service (EEAS), at meetings of an EU working party on terrorism in October and November."

Full story here.

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Human rights groups slam Egypt-EU joint bid to head counter-terrorism agency https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/human-rights-groups-slam-egypt-eu-joint-bid-to-head-counter-terrorism-agency/ Statewatch Tue, 03 May 2022 14:32:12 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/human-rights-groups-slam-egypt-eu-joint-bid-to-head-counter-terrorism-agency/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Human rights campaigners have reacted with alarm to reports that the European Union is planning a joint bid with Egypt to chair an international counterterrorism body, citing widespread abuses and the crackdown on opposition activists and politicians in the North African country.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>According to an EU Council memo dated 11 January and published by <a rel="noopener" href="/media/3056/eu-council-fr-proposal-egypt-gctf-presidency-5119-22.pdf" target="_blank">Statewatch</a>, the proposed joint bid was first raised by members of the EU's diplomatic service, the European External Action Service (EEAS), at meetings of an EU working party on terrorism in October and November."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-eu-joint-counter-terrorism-human-rights-campaigners-slam" target="_blank">here</a> and previous coverage <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/eu-egypt-plans-bid-lead-global-counter-terrorism-body" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "Human rights campaigners have reacted with alarm to reports that the European Union is planning a joint bid with Egypt to chair an international counterterrorism body, citing widespread abuses and the crackdown on opposition activists and politicians in the North African country.

According to an EU Council memo dated 11 January and published by Statewatch, the proposed joint bid was first raised by members of the EU's diplomatic service, the European External Action Service (EEAS), at meetings of an EU working party on terrorism in October and November."

Full story here and previous coverage here.

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UK Official Secrets Act Proposals Take Cues From US Espionage Act Cases https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/uk-official-secrets-act-proposals-take-cues-from-us-espionage-act-cases/ Statewatch Tue, 03 May 2022 14:32:47 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/uk-official-secrets-act-proposals-take-cues-from-us-espionage-act-cases/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"The United Kingdom’s right-wing dominated government is on course to greatly expand its ability to prosecute and jail whistleblowers and journalists through amendments to the country's Official Secrets Acts. </em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>(...)</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>'The proposed changes to the Official Secrets Act are one of many ways in which the Conservative government is seeking to stifle dissent and <a href="https://www.jacobinmag.com/2021/02/chis-bill-uk-criminal-conduct-national-security">elude accountability</a>,' Chris Jones, the executive director of civil liberties watchdog <a href="/">Statewatch</a>, told The Dissenter. 'While the government is yet to publish its response to the public consultation it launched last year, the direction of travel is clear: they want to introduce new, heavier penalties to discourage journalists and others from doing their work and acting in the public interest.'"</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://thedissenter.org/uk-official-secrets-act-proposals-press-freedom/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "The United Kingdom’s right-wing dominated government is on course to greatly expand its ability to prosecute and jail whistleblowers and journalists through amendments to the country's Official Secrets Acts. 

(...)

'The proposed changes to the Official Secrets Act are one of many ways in which the Conservative government is seeking to stifle dissent and elude accountability,' Chris Jones, the executive director of civil liberties watchdog Statewatch, told The Dissenter. 'While the government is yet to publish its response to the public consultation it launched last year, the direction of travel is clear: they want to introduce new, heavier penalties to discourage journalists and others from doing their work and acting in the public interest.'"

Full article here.

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Fortress Europe increasingly stingy on asylum https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/fortress-europe-increasingly-stingy-on-asylum/ Statewatch Tue, 22 Feb 2022 18:11:47 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/fortress-europe-increasingly-stingy-on-asylum/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Yasha Maccanico, a researcher with the NGO <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="/" target="_blank">Statewatch</a>, has been analysing European migration and asylum policies for over twenty years. According to Maccanico, the Pact marks the latest step in a trend that began in 1999, at the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/summits/tam_en.htm" target="_blank">Tampere summit</a>. "Placing migration and asylum issues in the field of justice and home affairs was a serious distortion”, says Maccanico. “In the next phase, with the anti-terrorism emergency, this link was further strengthened."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://voxeurop.eu/en/migrants-fortress-europe-stingy-right-of-asylum/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "Yasha Maccanico, a researcher with the NGO Statewatch, has been analysing European migration and asylum policies for over twenty years. According to Maccanico, the Pact marks the latest step in a trend that began in 1999, at the Tampere summit. "Placing migration and asylum issues in the field of justice and home affairs was a serious distortion”, says Maccanico. “In the next phase, with the anti-terrorism emergency, this link was further strengthened."

Full article here.

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As EU Pours Money Into Libya to Tackle Migration, is Bloc Ignoring Human Rights Abuses? https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/as-eu-pours-money-into-libya-to-tackle-migration-is-bloc-ignoring-human-rights-abuses/ Statewatch Tue, 22 Feb 2022 18:14:16 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/as-eu-pours-money-into-libya-to-tackle-migration-is-bloc-ignoring-human-rights-abuses/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"The European Union is pouring hundreds of millions of euros into Libya in an attempt to stem the flow of migrants heading across the Mediterranean to Italy and Malta.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Yasha Maccanico, a researcher at Statewatch, said the EU “was over-ambitious” in trying to stop irregular migration by economic migrants altogether."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://sputniknews.com/20211220/as-eu-pours-money-into-libya-to-tackle-migration-is-bloc-ignoring-human-rights-abuses-1091599637.html" target="_blank">here.</a></p> "The European Union is pouring hundreds of millions of euros into Libya in an attempt to stem the flow of migrants heading across the Mediterranean to Italy and Malta.

Yasha Maccanico, a researcher at Statewatch, said the EU “was over-ambitious” in trying to stop irregular migration by economic migrants altogether."

Full article here.

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Europe Is Building a Huge International Facial Recognition System https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/europe-is-building-a-huge-international-facial-recognition-system/ Statewatch Tue, 03 May 2022 14:31:28 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/europe-is-building-a-huge-international-facial-recognition-system/ <p>A recent article published by <em>Wired</em> links to a <em>Statewatch </em>article on plans to include driving licence data in a pan-European network of police databases:</p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"<span class="lead-in-text-callout">For the past</span> 15 years, police forces searching for criminals in Europe have been able to share fingerprints, DNA data, and details of vehicle owners with each other. If officials in France suspect someone they are looking for is in Spain, they can ask Spanish authorities to check fingerprints against their database. Now European lawmakers are set to include millions of photos of people’s faces in this system—and allow facial recognition to be used on an unprecedented scale.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>(...)</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;" class="paywall"><em>During the development of the plans, Slovenia has been one key country pushing for the expansion—including asking for people’s <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="/news/2022/february/eu-got-a-driving-licence-you-re-going-in-a-police-line-up/" target="_blank" class="external-link" data-offer-url="https://www.statewatch.org/news/2022/february/eu-got-a-driving-licence-you-re-going-in-a-police-line-up/" data-event-click="{&quot;element&quot;:&quot;ExternalLink&quot;,&quot;outgoingURL&quot;:&quot;https://www.statewatch.org/news/2022/february/eu-got-a-driving-licence-you-re-going-in-a-police-line-up/&quot;}">driving license data</a> to be included. Domen Savič, the CEO of Slovenian digital rights group Državljan D, says there are significant concerns about the differences between police databases and who is included. “I haven't heard enough to be convinced that all of this data gathered by individual police forces is sanitized in the same way,'' Savič says."</em></p> <p class="paywall">Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.wired.com/story/europe-police-facial-recognition-prum/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> A recent article published by Wired links to a Statewatch article on plans to include driving licence data in a pan-European network of police databases:

"For the past 15 years, police forces searching for criminals in Europe have been able to share fingerprints, DNA data, and details of vehicle owners with each other. If officials in France suspect someone they are looking for is in Spain, they can ask Spanish authorities to check fingerprints against their database. Now European lawmakers are set to include millions of photos of people’s faces in this system—and allow facial recognition to be used on an unprecedented scale.

(...)

During the development of the plans, Slovenia has been one key country pushing for the expansion—including asking for people’s driving license data to be included. Domen Savič, the CEO of Slovenian digital rights group Državljan D, says there are significant concerns about the differences between police databases and who is included. “I haven't heard enough to be convinced that all of this data gathered by individual police forces is sanitized in the same way,'' Savič says."

Full article here.

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EU-Verordnung zu E-Privacy wieder in Bewegung https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-verordnung-zu-e-privacy-wieder-in-bewegung/ Statewatch Tue, 03 May 2022 14:31:12 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-verordnung-zu-e-privacy-wieder-in-bewegung/ <p>An article published by Austria's <em>FM4</em> relies extensively on documents published by <em>Statewatch</em>:</p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Mit drei Trilogverhandlungen und einer Unzahl technischer Meetings ist der nächste Versuch zur Finalisierung des wichtigsten Konsumentenschutzgesetzes für das Netz wieder angelaufen."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://fm4.orf.at/stories/3023962/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> An article published by Austria's FM4 relies extensively on documents published by Statewatch:

"Mit drei Trilogverhandlungen und einer Unzahl technischer Meetings ist der nächste Versuch zur Finalisierung des wichtigsten Konsumentenschutzgesetzes für das Netz wieder angelaufen."

Full article here.

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Frontex arme de plus en plus ses agents pour les années à venir https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/frontex-arme-de-plus-en-plus-ses-agents-pour-les-annees-a-venir/ Statewatch Tue, 03 May 2022 14:31:01 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/frontex-arme-de-plus-en-plus-ses-agents-pour-les-annees-a-venir/ <p>An article published by <em>InfoMigrants</em> builds upon a story first released by <em>Statewatch</em>:</p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Frontex devrait augmenter ses effectifs permanents à 10 000 garde-frontières et garde-côtes à l'horizon 2027. Dans cette perspective, l'agence européenne de surveillance des frontières commence à répondre à ses futurs besoins en matière d'équipement. Dès 2023, elle envisage des commandes d'armes "létales et non-létales", révèle l'ONG StateWatch."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.infomigrants.net/fr/post/40053/frontex-arme-de-plus-en-plus-ses-agents-pour-les-annees-a-venir" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> An article published by InfoMigrants builds upon a story first released by Statewatch:

"Frontex devrait augmenter ses effectifs permanents à 10 000 garde-frontières et garde-côtes à l'horizon 2027. Dans cette perspective, l'agence européenne de surveillance des frontières commence à répondre à ses futurs besoins en matière d'équipement. Dès 2023, elle envisage des commandes d'armes "létales et non-létales", révèle l'ONG StateWatch."

Full article here.

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El presupuesto europeo destinado a seguridad y defensa aumenta un 123% https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/el-presupuesto-europeo-destinado-a-seguridad-y-defensa-aumenta-un-123/ Statewatch Thu, 19 May 2022 10:37:20 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/el-presupuesto-europeo-destinado-a-seguridad-y-defensa-aumenta-un-123/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"El regreso a la guerra en el Viejo Continente ha sido el gran revulsivo para el incremento de gasto militar. Pero la Unión Europea ya había arrancado una nueva etapa doblando el presupuesto destinado a las partidas de seguridad y defensa. El actual Marco Financiero Plurianual (MFP) de entre 2021 y 2027 destina a estos ámbitos 43.900 millones, lo que supone un incremento total de un 123% comparado con el ciclo monetario contemplado en su predecesor para estos fines (19.700 millones).</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Así se desprende del informe '¿A qué coste? La financiación de las políticas de seguridad, defensa y fronteras de la UE', elaborado por Statewatch y The Transnational Institute."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.publico.es/internacional/presupuesto-europeo-destinado-seguridad-defensa-aumenta-123.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>Read the report: <a rel="noopener" href="https://eubudgets.tni.org/" target="_blank">At what cost? Funding the EU’s security, defence, and border policies, 2021–2027: A guide for civil society on how EU budgets work</a></p> "El regreso a la guerra en el Viejo Continente ha sido el gran revulsivo para el incremento de gasto militar. Pero la Unión Europea ya había arrancado una nueva etapa doblando el presupuesto destinado a las partidas de seguridad y defensa. El actual Marco Financiero Plurianual (MFP) de entre 2021 y 2027 destina a estos ámbitos 43.900 millones, lo que supone un incremento total de un 123% comparado con el ciclo monetario contemplado en su predecesor para estos fines (19.700 millones).

Así se desprende del informe '¿A qué coste? La financiación de las políticas de seguridad, defensa y fronteras de la UE', elaborado por Statewatch y The Transnational Institute."

Full article here.

Read the report: At what cost? Funding the EU’s security, defence, and border policies, 2021–2027: A guide for civil society on how EU budgets work

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L’investimento senza precedenti dell’Ue su difesa e frontiere: a uguaglianza e diritti le briciole https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/l-investimento-senza-precedenti-dell-ue-su-difesa-e-frontiere-a-uguaglianza-e-diritti-le-briciole/ Statewatch Thu, 19 May 2022 10:42:12 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/l-investimento-senza-precedenti-dell-ue-su-difesa-e-frontiere-a-uguaglianza-e-diritti-le-briciole/ <div class="the-excerpt"> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Il budget 2021-2027 dell’Unione europea prevede uno stanziamento di 43,9 miliardi di euro per sicurezza, difesa e gestione dei confini. Oltre 30 volte di più rispetto a quanto destinato ai diritti, ai valori o alla giustizia. La “Fortezza Europa” si rafforza. Il dettagliato report di Tni e Statewatch"</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://altreconomia.it/linvestimento-senza-precedenti-dellue-su-difesa-e-frontiere-a-uguaglianza-e-diritti-le-briciole/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>Read the report: <a rel="noopener" href="https://eubudgets.tni.org/" target="_blank">At what cost? Funding the EU’s security, defence, and border policies, 2021–2027: A guide for civil society on how EU budgets work</a></p> </div>

"Il budget 2021-2027 dell’Unione europea prevede uno stanziamento di 43,9 miliardi di euro per sicurezza, difesa e gestione dei confini. Oltre 30 volte di più rispetto a quanto destinato ai diritti, ai valori o alla giustizia. La “Fortezza Europa” si rafforza. Il dettagliato report di Tni e Statewatch"

Full article here.

Read the report: At what cost? Funding the EU’s security, defence, and border policies, 2021–2027: A guide for civil society on how EU budgets work

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Frontex planning operations in Senegal and Mauritania, claims NGO https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/frontex-planning-operations-in-senegal-and-mauritania-claims-ngo/ Statewatch Wed, 10 Aug 2022 10:29:35 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/frontex-planning-operations-in-senegal-and-mauritania-claims-ngo/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"The EU's border agency Frontex is planning new operations in both Senegal and Mauritania. According to an NGO, Statewatch, Frontex will be going to the two African countries to try and block "irregular migration.""</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/42166/frontex-planning-operations-in-senegal-and-mauritania-claims-ngo" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <p>The source article is here: <a rel="noopener" href="/news/2022/july/eu-tracking-the-pact-plan-for-frontex-to-deploy-vessels-surveillance-equipment-and-carry-out-operational-tasks-in-senegal-and-mauritania/" target="_blank">EU: Tracking the Pact: Plan for Frontex to deploy "vessels, surveillance equipment, and carry out operational tasks" in Senegal and Mauritania</a></p> "The EU's border agency Frontex is planning new operations in both Senegal and Mauritania. According to an NGO, Statewatch, Frontex will be going to the two African countries to try and block "irregular migration.""

Full article here.

The source article is here: EU: Tracking the Pact: Plan for Frontex to deploy "vessels, surveillance equipment, and carry out operational tasks" in Senegal and Mauritania

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The West will soon be sharing their citizens’ biometric data https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/the-west-will-soon-be-sharing-their-citizens-biometric-data/ Statewatch Wed, 07 Sep 2022 09:18:28 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/the-west-will-soon-be-sharing-their-citizens-biometric-data/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;" class="opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p" data-v-abd05fda="" data-v-fbdeccce=""><em>"You have probably read news stories about how China is building the world’s largest surveillance network and that the country is becoming a hi-tech dystopian nightmare.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;" class="opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p" data-v-abd05fda="" data-v-fbdeccce=""><em>Well, the United States, Europe and many of their allied states are catching up and may soon be exceeding China’s surveillance capabilities. That’s because their systems will not only be domestic like China’s, but also transnational and fully convergent. Many of them may soon be sharing your most personal data with each other.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;" class="opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p" data-v-abd05fda="" data-v-fbdeccce=""><em>The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is offering select foreign governments access to its vast biometric database of its own citizens in exchange for similar access to their systems. That’s according to <span class="opinion-article__body article-details-type--a content--a" data-v-178b2e30="" data-v-abd05fda=""><a rel="noFollow noopener" href="/news/2022/july/usa-offers-foreign-states-access-to-1-1-billion-biometric-encounters-in-return-for-reciprocal-database-access/?module=inline&amp;pgtype=article" target="_blank" class="link-text" data-v-178b2e30=""><span class="text" data-v-178b2e30="">Statewatch</span></a></span>, a British-based NGO that monitors state policies and civil rights across Europe."</em></p> <p class="opinion-article__body article-details-type--p content--p" data-v-abd05fda="" data-v-fbdeccce="">Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3186935/west-will-soon-be-sharing-their-citizens-biometric-data" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "You have probably read news stories about how China is building the world’s largest surveillance network and that the country is becoming a hi-tech dystopian nightmare.

Well, the United States, Europe and many of their allied states are catching up and may soon be exceeding China’s surveillance capabilities. That’s because their systems will not only be domestic like China’s, but also transnational and fully convergent. Many of them may soon be sharing your most personal data with each other.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is offering select foreign governments access to its vast biometric database of its own citizens in exchange for similar access to their systems. That’s according to Statewatch, a British-based NGO that monitors state policies and civil rights across Europe."

Full article here.

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Creeping authoritarianism – the next threat to our civil liberties https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/creeping-authoritarianism-the-next-threat-to-our-civil-liberties/ Statewatch Wed, 07 Sep 2022 09:18:08 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/creeping-authoritarianism-the-next-threat-to-our-civil-liberties/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"While the mainstream media has been preoccupied by the Conservative Party’s infighting over who will be Britain’s new prime minister, sinister but barely noticed plans are being drawn up with profound threats to our civil liberties.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>(...)</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Meanwhile, <a href="/news/2020/september/tony-bunyan-retires-as-director-of-statewatch-after-30-years/">Statewatch</a>, the long-established monitor of the governments’ unaccountable agencies, has <a href="/brexit-goodbye-and-hello-the-new-eu-uk-security-architecture-civil-liberties-and-democratic-control/">warned</a> about a little-noticed “new EU-UK security architecture”.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Earlier this year the campaign group highlighted that the “UK government’s domestic programme seeks to crack down on dissent and to abolish or severely limit ways for the public to hold the state to account…those ambitions also play a role in the post-Brexit agreement with the EU”.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>The Brexit treaty makes it possible for the UK to opt into intrusive EU surveillance schemes with no explicit need for parliamentary scrutiny or debate, and establishes a number of new joint institutions without robust transparency and accountability measures."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://declassifieduk.org/creeping-authoritarianism-the-next-threat-to-our-civil-liberties/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "While the mainstream media has been preoccupied by the Conservative Party’s infighting over who will be Britain’s new prime minister, sinister but barely noticed plans are being drawn up with profound threats to our civil liberties.

(...)

Meanwhile, Statewatch, the long-established monitor of the governments’ unaccountable agencies, has warned about a little-noticed “new EU-UK security architecture”.

Earlier this year the campaign group highlighted that the “UK government’s domestic programme seeks to crack down on dissent and to abolish or severely limit ways for the public to hold the state to account…those ambitions also play a role in the post-Brexit agreement with the EU”.

The Brexit treaty makes it possible for the UK to opt into intrusive EU surveillance schemes with no explicit need for parliamentary scrutiny or debate, and establishes a number of new joint institutions without robust transparency and accountability measures."

Full article here.

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Sorvegliare in nome della sicurezza: le Agenzie Ue vogliono carta bianca https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/sorvegliare-in-nome-della-sicurezza-le-agenzie-ue-vogliono-carta-bianca/ Statewatch Wed, 02 Nov 2022 15:22:28 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/sorvegliare-in-nome-della-sicurezza-le-agenzie-ue-vogliono-carta-bianca/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Il nuovo regolamento di Europol mette a rischio la privacy di milioni di persone mentre Frontex, chiamata a controllare le frontiere, punta sull’intelligenza artificiale e la biometria per fermare i migranti. Provando a eludere la legge"</em></p> <p>An article in the November issue of <em>Altreconomia</em> looking at the new powers granted to EU policing agency Europol and the activities of Frontex. Includes quotes from Statewatch Researcher, Yasha Maccanico, and Statewatch Director, Chris Jones.</p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://altreconomia.it/sorvegliare-in-nome-della-sicurezza-le-agenzie-ue-vogliono-carta-bianca/" target="_blank">here</a> (subscribers only).</p> "Il nuovo regolamento di Europol mette a rischio la privacy di milioni di persone mentre Frontex, chiamata a controllare le frontiere, punta sull’intelligenza artificiale e la biometria per fermare i migranti. Provando a eludere la legge"

An article in the November issue of Altreconomia looking at the new powers granted to EU policing agency Europol and the activities of Frontex. Includes quotes from Statewatch Researcher, Yasha Maccanico, and Statewatch Director, Chris Jones.

Full article here (subscribers only).

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Miliardi sulla pelle dei migranti: la sorveglianza delle frontiere fa ricca l’industria delle armi https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/miliardi-sulla-pelle-dei-migranti-la-sorveglianza-delle-frontiere-fa-ricca-l-industria-delle-armi/ Statewatch Wed, 02 Nov 2022 15:49:58 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/miliardi-sulla-pelle-dei-migranti-la-sorveglianza-delle-frontiere-fa-ricca-l-industria-delle-armi/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Nel report “<a rel="noopener" href="https://eubudgets.tni.org/" target="_blank">A quale costo</a>”, le organizzazioni Statewatch e Transnational Institute analizzano le spese dell’Unione europea: <strong>tra il 2021 e il 2027 gli investimenti per i settori sicurezza e difesa ammontano a 43,9 miliardi di euro, un aumento di budget del 123 per cento</strong>. Il Fondo per la gestione del controllo delle frontiere cresce del 131 per cento, passando a 6,2 miliardi di euro e i finanziamenti di Europol e di Frontex, l’agenzia per la sicurezza dei confini, sfiorano i 10 miliardi di euro: un aumento del 129 per cento."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://espresso.repubblica.it/inchieste/2022/10/17/news/industria_sorveglianza_europa_armi-370405554/amp/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "Nel report “A quale costo”, le organizzazioni Statewatch e Transnational Institute analizzano le spese dell’Unione europea: tra il 2021 e il 2027 gli investimenti per i settori sicurezza e difesa ammontano a 43,9 miliardi di euro, un aumento di budget del 123 per cento. Il Fondo per la gestione del controllo delle frontiere cresce del 131 per cento, passando a 6,2 miliardi di euro e i finanziamenti di Europol e di Frontex, l’agenzia per la sicurezza dei confini, sfiorano i 10 miliardi di euro: un aumento del 129 per cento."

Full article here.

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Lotta al crimine, le scelte europee e le nuove regole di Europol, che possono essere utilizzate per controllare gli attivisti più critici https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/lotta-al-crimine-le-scelte-europee-e-le-nuove-regole-di-europol-che-possono-essere-utilizzate-per-controllare-gli-attivisti-piu-critici/ Statewatch Tue, 13 Dec 2022 16:20:54 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/lotta-al-crimine-le-scelte-europee-e-le-nuove-regole-di-europol-che-possono-essere-utilizzate-per-controllare-gli-attivisti-piu-critici/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Allarme della Ong Statewatch per le nuove regole europee. La novità sta nell'aumento dei poteri dell'Agenzia a scapito delle garanzie sulla privacy e sulla tutela dei diritti delle persone. Il caso di un militante olandese"</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.repubblica.it/solidarieta/immigrazione/2022/11/27/news/migrazioni-376399144/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "Allarme della Ong Statewatch per le nuove regole europee. La novità sta nell'aumento dei poteri dell'Agenzia a scapito delle garanzie sulla privacy e sulla tutela dei diritti delle persone. Il caso di un militante olandese"

Full article here.

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EU plant Polizeiabkommen mit Israel https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-plant-polizeiabkommen-mit-israel/ Statewatch Thu, 15 Dec 2022 14:46:46 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-plant-polizeiabkommen-mit-israel/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Ein geplantes Abkommen zur Kooperation der europäischen Polizeiagentur Europol mit Israel sorgt weiter für Dissens. Am Montag hatte die EU-Kommission das Vorhaben im Parlament vorgestellt. Die Abgeordneten im Ausschuss für bürgerliche Freiheiten, Justiz und Inneres gehörten damit zu den ersten, die Details zu den Plänen erfuhren: Der mit der Regierung in Israel verhandelte fertige Vertragsentwurf wurde bislang nicht offiziell veröffentlicht. Die britische Nichtregierungsorganisation Statewatch hat ihn aber trotzdem <a href="/media/3580/eu-europol-israel-agreement-wk-12569-22.pdf">ins Internet gestellt</a>."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nd-aktuell.de/artikel/1169116.bruessel-eu-plant-polizeiabkommen-mit-israel.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "Ein geplantes Abkommen zur Kooperation der europäischen Polizeiagentur Europol mit Israel sorgt weiter für Dissens. Am Montag hatte die EU-Kommission das Vorhaben im Parlament vorgestellt. Die Abgeordneten im Ausschuss für bürgerliche Freiheiten, Justiz und Inneres gehörten damit zu den ersten, die Details zu den Plänen erfuhren: Der mit der Regierung in Israel verhandelte fertige Vertragsentwurf wurde bislang nicht offiziell veröffentlicht. Die britische Nichtregierungsorganisation Statewatch hat ihn aber trotzdem ins Internet gestellt."

Full article here.

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El nuevo mecanismo de reparto de refugiados de la UE vuelve a encallar https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/el-nuevo-mecanismo-de-reparto-de-refugiados-de-la-ue-vuelve-a-encallar/ Statewatch Thu, 02 Mar 2023 18:10:21 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/el-nuevo-mecanismo-de-reparto-de-refugiados-de-la-ue-vuelve-a-encallar/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"El Pacto de Migración y Asilo que se negocia desde 2020 no se cierra; y los sistemas que la UE ensaya para crear un modelo de reparto de los que llegan vivos fracasan. La última iniciativa fue el Mecanismo de Solidaridad Voluntaria, que <a rel="noopener" href="https://elpais.com/internacional/2022-06-10/la-ue-logra-un-acuerdo-sobre-el-mecanismo-de-reparto-de-refugiados-en-caso-de-crisis-migratoria.html" target="_blank" data-link-track-dtm="">sumó a principios de este verano a 23 Estados dispuestos a apoyar a los cinco países mediterráneos</a>, los más expuestos a la entrada de inmigrantes que entran irregularmente por mar... Desde aquel pacto, con el que se prometió reubicar a más de 8.000 refugiados en un año, solo 514 personas (menos de un 6%) han sido trasladadas a otros países desde España, Italia y Chipre, según datos de la Comisión Europea. En ese tiempo han llegado irregularmente por mar casi 130.000 personas y han muerto 4.857, según la Organización Internacional para las Migraciones. <a rel="noopener" href="/media/3710/eu-com-solidarity-platform-pact-vsm-op-conclusions-1-12-22.pdf" target="_blank" data-link-track-dtm="">En un documento confidencial publicado por Statewatch</a>, la Comisión Europea considera los resultados “decepcionantes”."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://elpais.com/internacional/2023-03-01/el-nuevo-mecanismo-de-reparto-de-refugiados-de-la-ue-vuelve-a-encallar.html" target="_blank">here</a>. You can find our report on the document cited by <em>El País </em><a href="/news/2023/january/eu-tracking-the-pact-only-207-refugees-relocated-so-far-via-voluntary-solidarity-mechanism/">here</a>.</p> "El Pacto de Migración y Asilo que se negocia desde 2020 no se cierra; y los sistemas que la UE ensaya para crear un modelo de reparto de los que llegan vivos fracasan. La última iniciativa fue el Mecanismo de Solidaridad Voluntaria, que sumó a principios de este verano a 23 Estados dispuestos a apoyar a los cinco países mediterráneos, los más expuestos a la entrada de inmigrantes que entran irregularmente por mar... Desde aquel pacto, con el que se prometió reubicar a más de 8.000 refugiados en un año, solo 514 personas (menos de un 6%) han sido trasladadas a otros países desde España, Italia y Chipre, según datos de la Comisión Europea. En ese tiempo han llegado irregularmente por mar casi 130.000 personas y han muerto 4.857, según la Organización Internacional para las Migraciones. En un documento confidencial publicado por Statewatch, la Comisión Europea considera los resultados “decepcionantes”."

Full story here. You can find our report on the document cited by El País here.

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Visafreie Einreise: USA erwarten "systematische Transfers" biometrischer Daten https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/visafreie-einreise-usa-erwarten-systematische-transfers-biometrischer-daten/ Statewatch Wed, 10 May 2023 15:28:49 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/visafreie-einreise-usa-erwarten-systematische-transfers-biometrischer-daten/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Die USA erwarten vom Jahr 2027 an "kontinuierliche und systematische Transfers" von Daten zu Fingerabdrücken und weiterer biometrischer Merkmale für eine visafreie Einreise aus der EU. Dies geht aus einem als vertraulich eingestuften Bericht der schwedischen Präsidentschaft des EU-Ministerrats vom 18. April hervor, den die britische Bürgerrechtsorganisation Statewatch veröffentlicht hat.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>(...)</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Statewatch kritisiert, keine der aufgezeigten Optionen enthalte "irgendeine sinnvolle Transparenz oder demokratische Debatte über einen Plan, der vorsieht, die riesigen biometrischen Datenbanken, die von der EU und ihren Mitgliedsstaaten unterhalten werden, für die USA zu öffnen". Die Gemeinschaft arbeitet aktuell daran, <a rel="external noopener" href="https://www.heise.de/select/ct/2018/18/1535696151919730" target="_blank">im Rahmen des Programms "Smart Borders" umfangreiche IT-Systeme für biometrische Gesichtsbilder und Fingerabdrücke virtuell zu verknüpfen</a>. Der Europäische Gerichtshof habe mehrfach geurteilt, "dass die USA <a href="https://www.heise.de/news/EuGH-kippt-EU-US-Datenschutzvereinbarung-Privacy-Shield-4845204.html">keinen angemessenen Schutz der Privatsphäre von Nicht-Staatsbürgern bieten"</a>, gibt Statewatch-Direktor Christ Jones zu bedenken. Die Tatsache, dass die Diskussionen im Geheimen stattfinden, "macht das Ganze noch ärgerlicher".</em></p> <p>The article is based on an article and document we published at the end of April: <a rel="noopener" href="/news/2023/april/usa-border-plan-requires-continuous-and-systematic-transfers-of-biometric-data/" target="_blank">USA border plan requires “continuous and systematic” transfers of biometric data</a></p> "Die USA erwarten vom Jahr 2027 an "kontinuierliche und systematische Transfers" von Daten zu Fingerabdrücken und weiterer biometrischer Merkmale für eine visafreie Einreise aus der EU. Dies geht aus einem als vertraulich eingestuften Bericht der schwedischen Präsidentschaft des EU-Ministerrats vom 18. April hervor, den die britische Bürgerrechtsorganisation Statewatch veröffentlicht hat.

(...)

Statewatch kritisiert, keine der aufgezeigten Optionen enthalte "irgendeine sinnvolle Transparenz oder demokratische Debatte über einen Plan, der vorsieht, die riesigen biometrischen Datenbanken, die von der EU und ihren Mitgliedsstaaten unterhalten werden, für die USA zu öffnen". Die Gemeinschaft arbeitet aktuell daran, im Rahmen des Programms "Smart Borders" umfangreiche IT-Systeme für biometrische Gesichtsbilder und Fingerabdrücke virtuell zu verknüpfen. Der Europäische Gerichtshof habe mehrfach geurteilt, "dass die USA keinen angemessenen Schutz der Privatsphäre von Nicht-Staatsbürgern bieten", gibt Statewatch-Direktor Christ Jones zu bedenken. Die Tatsache, dass die Diskussionen im Geheimen stattfinden, "macht das Ganze noch ärgerlicher".

The article is based on an article and document we published at the end of April: USA border plan requires “continuous and systematic” transfers of biometric data

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Overvåkingen er ulovlig i EU. I Norge fortsetter den https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/overvakingen-er-ulovlig-i-eu-i-norge-fortsetter-den/ Statewatch Thu, 11 May 2023 10:13:31 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/overvakingen-er-ulovlig-i-eu-i-norge-fortsetter-den/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;" class="extendedContent hyperion-css-2eilsw" data-test-tag="lead-text"><em>"EUs overvåking av flypassasjerer er kjent delvis ulovlig av EU-domstolen. I Norge fortsetter innsamlingen av data om alle passasjerer som flyr til eller fra utlandet.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>(...)</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Målet, ifølge Statewatch, er å opprettholde mest mulig av overvåkingen. Varslet ikke Etter dommen har Justisdepartementet laget midlertidige retningslinjer, der personopplysningene inntil videre må bli slettet etter seks måneder i stedet for fem år."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.adressa.no/nyheter/i/onl87m/overvaakingen-er-ulovlig-i-eu-i-norge-fortsetter-den" target="_blank">here</a> (paywall).</p> "EUs overvåking av flypassasjerer er kjent delvis ulovlig av EU-domstolen. I Norge fortsetter innsamlingen av data om alle passasjerer som flyr til eller fra utlandet.

(...)

Målet, ifølge Statewatch, er å opprettholde mest mulig av overvåkingen. Varslet ikke Etter dommen har Justisdepartementet laget midlertidige retningslinjer, der personopplysningene inntil videre må bli slettet etter seks måneder i stedet for fem år."

Full article here (paywall).

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UK government must be more open on use of AI, say campaigners https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/uk-government-must-be-more-open-on-use-of-ai-say-campaigners/ Statewatch Wed, 14 Jun 2023 14:39:58 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/uk-government-must-be-more-open-on-use-of-ai-say-campaigners/ <div class="ssrcss-11r1m41-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0" data-component="text-block"> <div class="ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1"> <p style="padding-left: 40px;" class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00"><em>"The government risks undermining faith in AI unless it becomes more open about its own use of the technology, campaigners have warned.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;" class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00"><em>Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has sought to position the UK as a leader in designing new AI rules at a global level.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;" class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00"><em>But privacy campaigners say its own use of AI-driven systems is too opaque and risks discrimination.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;" class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00"><em>(...)</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;" class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00"><em>In a document sent to MPs on cross-party groups on AI and data analytics, seen by the BBC, they say the public should be given more information about where and how such systems are used.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;" class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00"><em>It has been signed by civil liberties organisations including Liberty, Big Brother Watch, Open Rights Group and Statewatch, as well as a number of migrant rights groups and digital rights lawyers."</em></p> <p class="ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-65842385" target="_blank">here</a> and see the statement <a rel="noopener" href="/news/2023/june/uk-government-s-ai-plans-must-uphold-fundamental-rights-and-democratic-values/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> </div> </div>

"The government risks undermining faith in AI unless it becomes more open about its own use of the technology, campaigners have warned.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has sought to position the UK as a leader in designing new AI rules at a global level.

But privacy campaigners say its own use of AI-driven systems is too opaque and risks discrimination.

(...)

In a document sent to MPs on cross-party groups on AI and data analytics, seen by the BBC, they say the public should be given more information about where and how such systems are used.

It has been signed by civil liberties organisations including Liberty, Big Brother Watch, Open Rights Group and Statewatch, as well as a number of migrant rights groups and digital rights lawyers."

Full story here and see the statement here.

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Droni in Niger e radar nel Mediterraneo: l'Ue spende miliardi per confini hi-tech https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/droni-in-niger-e-radar-nel-mediterraneo-l-ue-spende-miliardi-per-confini-hi-tech/ Statewatch Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:36:07 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/droni-in-niger-e-radar-nel-mediterraneo-l-ue-spende-miliardi-per-confini-hi-tech/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;" class="large_l"><em>"Due studi, pubblicati oggi da Statewatch ed EuroMed Rights, documentano gli investimenti europei nella difesa dei confini. Soldi che servono allo sviluppo di nuove soluzioni tecnologiche ma anche a formare le autorità dei Paesi africani, senza riguardo per i diritti di migranti e popolazioni locali. Tra i beneficiari, aziende e università italiane."</em></p> <p class="large_l">Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://lavialibera.it/it-schede-1425-frontiere_tecnologia_leonardo" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "Due studi, pubblicati oggi da Statewatch ed EuroMed Rights, documentano gli investimenti europei nella difesa dei confini. Soldi che servono allo sviluppo di nuove soluzioni tecnologiche ma anche a formare le autorità dei Paesi africani, senza riguardo per i diritti di migranti e popolazioni locali. Tra i beneficiari, aziende e università italiane."

Full story here.

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Leak: EU ministers want to keep more obstacles for long term permits https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/leak-eu-ministers-want-to-keep-more-obstacles-for-long-term-permits/ Statewatch Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:43:32 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/leak-eu-ministers-want-to-keep-more-obstacles-for-long-term-permits/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">"...the text proposed by the Swedish government, published by <a rel="noopener" href="/news/2023/july/tracking-the-pact-latest-council-documents-on-the-long-term-residents-directive/" target="_blank">Statewatch</a>, whose EU council presidency ended last week, indicates that national governments want to water down these plans.</span></em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">For instance, they want to keep the minimum period to become eligible to apply at five years, as well as the disqualification in case of absence from the country for more than six months."</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.euractiv.com/section/migration/news/leak-eu-ministers-want-to-keep-more-obstacles-for-long-term-permits/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p> "...the text proposed by the Swedish government, published by Statewatch, whose EU council presidency ended last week, indicates that national governments want to water down these plans.

For instance, they want to keep the minimum period to become eligible to apply at five years, as well as the disqualification in case of absence from the country for more than six months."

Full story here.

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EU Commission wants drones for Bulgaria on Turkey border https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-commission-wants-drones-for-bulgaria-on-turkey-border/ Statewatch Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:53:10 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-commission-wants-drones-for-bulgaria-on-turkey-border/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Draft conclusions, <a href="/media/3706/eu-council-euco-draft-conclusions-9-10-feb-2023-5237-23.pdf"> leaked by the London-based civil society defenders Statewatch,</a> suggests that the EU is ready to leverage all its means to kick out unwanted migrants and rejected asylum seekers."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://euobserver.com/migration/156668" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "Draft conclusions, leaked by the London-based civil society defenders Statewatch, suggests that the EU is ready to leverage all its means to kick out unwanted migrants and rejected asylum seekers."

Full article here.

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Seulement 207 migrants relocalisés par le programme de volontariat de l'Union européenne https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/seulement-207-migrants-relocalises-par-le-programme-de-volontariat-de-l-union-europeenne/ Statewatch Tue, 11 Jul 2023 15:57:37 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/seulement-207-migrants-relocalises-par-le-programme-de-volontariat-de-l-union-europeenne/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Depuis sa mise en place il y a six mois, le nouveau mécanisme de relocalisation volontaire, engageant une douzaine d'États membres de l'Union européenne, peine à produire des résultats. Dans un document révélé par l'ONG Statewatch, la Commission européenne craint une "perte de confiance générale" dans le système."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.infomigrants.net/fr/post/46567/seulement-207-migrants-relocalises-par-le-programme-de-volontariat-de-lunion-europeenne" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "Depuis sa mise en place il y a six mois, le nouveau mécanisme de relocalisation volontaire, engageant une douzaine d'États membres de l'Union européenne, peine à produire des résultats. Dans un document révélé par l'ONG Statewatch, la Commission européenne craint une "perte de confiance générale" dans le système."

Full story here.

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Wie soll künstliche Intelligenz reguliert werden? https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/wie-soll-kunstliche-intelligenz-reguliert-werden/ Statewatch Tue, 11 Jul 2023 16:00:22 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/wie-soll-kunstliche-intelligenz-reguliert-werden/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;" data-pos="0-31" data-css-aphf9g="" data-css-1p694hx="" data-css-1ax1725=""><em>"Wie sich die Schweiz bis anhin in den Verhandlungs­prozess eingebracht hat, zeigt ein <a tabindex="0" href="/news/2023/january/council-of-europe-convention-on-artificial-intelligence-zero-draft-and-member-state-submissions/" title="" data-css-1dltpwd="" data-css-1p694hx="" data-css-ide0n2="" aria-label="Das Dokument ist bei «compilation of comments (pdf)» verlinkt.">geleaktes Dokument</a> vom September 2022: Die Schweizer Delegation reichte mehr als 60 Änderungs­anträge ein. Zwar betraf vieles davon definitorische Unschärfen, handwerkliche Fehler und rechtliche Inkonsistenzen. Nachzeichnen lässt sich aber auch, dass die Schweiz ihren wirtschafts­freundlichen Kurs auf der ganzen Linie durch­zubringen versuchte..."</em></p> <p data-pos="0-31" data-css-aphf9g="" data-css-1p694hx="" data-css-1ax1725="">Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.republik.ch/2023/04/18/wie-soll-kuenstliche-intelligenz-reguliert-werden" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "Wie sich die Schweiz bis anhin in den Verhandlungs­prozess eingebracht hat, zeigt ein geleaktes Dokument vom September 2022: Die Schweizer Delegation reichte mehr als 60 Änderungs­anträge ein. Zwar betraf vieles davon definitorische Unschärfen, handwerkliche Fehler und rechtliche Inkonsistenzen. Nachzeichnen lässt sich aber auch, dass die Schweiz ihren wirtschafts­freundlichen Kurs auf der ganzen Linie durch­zubringen versuchte..."

Full story here.

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Immigrazione, per contrastarla la Commissione Ue consiglia intese ‘segrete’: ecco gli effetti https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/immigrazione-per-contrastarla-la-commissione-ue-consiglia-intese-segrete-ecco-gli-effetti/ Statewatch Tue, 11 Jul 2023 16:03:41 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/immigrazione-per-contrastarla-la-commissione-ue-consiglia-intese-segrete-ecco-gli-effetti/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"In data 29 aprile 2022, infatti, ha inviato un “<a rel="noopener" href="/media/3680/eu-com-readmission-strategic-approach-non-paper-8429-22.pdf" target="_blank">Non-Paper</a>” con il quale incoraggia le delegazioni all’estero dell’Unione a dare priorità alle “intese” (arrangements) segrete di riammissione spiegando senza nascondimenti che la ragione principale di tale preferenza si trovi proprio nella volontà di non garantire la certezza del diritto..."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2023/02/04/migranti-per-contrastarli-la-commissione-ue-consiglia-intese-segrete-ecco-che-effetti-avra/6955765/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "In data 29 aprile 2022, infatti, ha inviato un “Non-Paper” con il quale incoraggia le delegazioni all’estero dell’Unione a dare priorità alle “intese” (arrangements) segrete di riammissione spiegando senza nascondimenti che la ragione principale di tale preferenza si trovi proprio nella volontà di non garantire la certezza del diritto..."

Full article here.

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The human cost of AI in EU-Africa's migration surveillance https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/the-human-cost-of-ai-in-eu-africa-s-migration-surveillance/ Statewatch Thu, 20 Jul 2023 10:02:26 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/the-human-cost-of-ai-in-eu-africa-s-migration-surveillance/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"In <a href="https://euromedrights.org/publication/the-human-cost-of-artificial-intelligence-and-surveillance-technology-in-migration/">two recently-published reports</a>, EuroMed Rights, Statewatch and independent researcher Antonella Napolitano have investigated the human and financial costs of AI in migration.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>The reports show how the deployment of AI to manage migration flows actively contribute to the instability of the Middle East and North African region as well as discriminatory border procedures and the deaths of thousands each year."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://euobserver.com/opinion/157253" target="_blank">here</a>. Our report, <em>Europe's techno-borders</em>, is available <a rel="noopener" href="/news/2023/july/europe-s-techno-borders-digital-infrastructure-for-migration-control/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "In two recently-published reports, EuroMed Rights, Statewatch and independent researcher Antonella Napolitano have investigated the human and financial costs of AI in migration.

The reports show how the deployment of AI to manage migration flows actively contribute to the instability of the Middle East and North African region as well as discriminatory border procedures and the deaths of thousands each year."

Full story here. Our report, Europe's techno-borders, is available here.

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Brexit: EU issues guidance after Britons 'wrongfully held' at Schengen borders https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/brexit-eu-issues-guidance-after-britons-wrongfully-held-at-schengen-borders/ Statewatch Thu, 14 Sep 2023 11:34:43 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/brexit-eu-issues-guidance-after-britons-wrongfully-held-at-schengen-borders/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"The European Commission has been forced to issue guidance to EU member states on the treatment of UK citizens with post-Brexit residence rights transiting the Schengen borders, after it emerged some were wrongfully detained last year.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>The document was distributed on July 14th to national delegations of EU countries, as well as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland/Liechtenstein, but it was made public only on September 5th by <a rel="noopener" href="/news/2023/september/brexit-uk-nationals-are-being-wrongfully-detained-whilst-transiting-through-the-schengen-area/" target="_blank">Statewatch</a>, a charity reporting on civil liberties."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thelocal.fr/20230910/brexit-eu-issues-guidance-after-britons-wrongfully-held-at-schengen-borders" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "The European Commission has been forced to issue guidance to EU member states on the treatment of UK citizens with post-Brexit residence rights transiting the Schengen borders, after it emerged some were wrongfully detained last year.

The document was distributed on July 14th to national delegations of EU countries, as well as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland/Liechtenstein, but it was made public only on September 5th by Statewatch, a charity reporting on civil liberties."

Full story here.

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The cost of migration: Europe's response https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/the-cost-of-migration-europe-s-response/ Statewatch Mon, 02 Oct 2023 14:10:20 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/the-cost-of-migration-europe-s-response/ <p>This programme, the third in a three-part series, features excerpts from <em>Statewatch</em> Director, Chris Jones, and responses from European Commission officials. Listen here: <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct4n8m" target="_blank"><span class="sc-c-marquee__title-1">The cost of migration: Europe's response</span></a><span class="sc-c-marquee__title-1"></span></p> <p><span class="sc-c-marquee__title-1">The first two parts are also available online:</span></p> <ul> <li><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct4mv2" target="_blank">The cost of migration: The journey</a></li> <li><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct4n43" target="_blank">The cost of migration: The rescue boats</a></li> </ul> This programme, the third in a three-part series, features excerpts from Statewatch Director, Chris Jones, and responses from European Commission officials. Listen here: The cost of migration: Europe's response

The first two parts are also available online:

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Surge in police use of facial recognition sparks concerns over wrongful targeting https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/surge-in-police-use-of-facial-recognition-sparks-concerns-over-wrongful-targeting/ Statewatch Wed, 27 Sep 2023 12:58:28 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/surge-in-police-use-of-facial-recognition-sparks-concerns-over-wrongful-targeting/ <p><em>Chris Jones, director of Statewatch, said: “There is a significant possibility for innocent people to be wrongly identified and potentially even charged and convicted through the use of this technology.”</em></p> <p><em>Mr Jones warned that use of RFR could perpetuate discriminatory profiling: “We should also be asking who those people are most likely to be.</em></p> <p><em>“The Casey Review confirmed that the Metropolitan Police are institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic, while Avon and Somerset’s own chief constable has admitted her force is institutionally racist.”</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/b/surge-police-use-facial-recognition-sparks-concerns-over-wrongful-targeting" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> Chris Jones, director of Statewatch, said: “There is a significant possibility for innocent people to be wrongly identified and potentially even charged and convicted through the use of this technology.”

Mr Jones warned that use of RFR could perpetuate discriminatory profiling: “We should also be asking who those people are most likely to be.

“The Casey Review confirmed that the Metropolitan Police are institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic, while Avon and Somerset’s own chief constable has admitted her force is institutionally racist.”

Full story here.

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Dünya çapında kullanılıyor: İngiltere, derhal durdurmaları için harekete geçti! https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/dunya-capinda-kullaniliyor-ingiltere-derhal-durdurmalari-icin-harekete-gecti/ Statewatch Mon, 09 Oct 2023 15:58:44 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/dunya-capinda-kullaniliyor-ingiltere-derhal-durdurmalari-icin-harekete-gecti/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Statewatch ve dünya çapında 30'dan fazla kuruluş, teknolojinin getirdiği yasal, etik ve diğer endişelere dikkat çekti.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Big Brother Watch, daha önce de yüz tanıma kameralarının Birleşik Krallık'ta çoğu zaman rıza olmaksızın milyonlarca "yüz izi" almasına dikkat çekmiş ve bunu "tehlikeli bir emsal" olarak nitelendirmişti. Bu tür bir teknoloji "mahremiyetimize ve özgürlüklerimize yönelik bir tehdit" olarak görülüyordu."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://m.haber7.com/teknoloji/haber/3357548-dunya-capinda-kullaniliyor-ingiltere-derhal-durdurmalari-icin-harekete-gecti?_x_tr_sl=tr&amp;_x_tr_tl=en&amp;_x_tr_hl=en-US&amp;_x_tr_pto=wapp" target="_blank" data-anchor="?_x_tr_sl=tr&amp;_x_tr_tl=en&amp;_x_tr_hl=en-US&amp;_x_tr_pto=wapp">here</a>.<br></p> "Statewatch ve dünya çapında 30'dan fazla kuruluş, teknolojinin getirdiği yasal, etik ve diğer endişelere dikkat çekti.

Big Brother Watch, daha önce de yüz tanıma kameralarının Birleşik Krallık'ta çoğu zaman rıza olmaksızın milyonlarca "yüz izi" almasına dikkat çekmiş ve bunu "tehlikeli bir emsal" olarak nitelendirmişti. Bu tür bir teknoloji "mahremiyetimize ve özgürlüklerimize yönelik bir tehdit" olarak görülüyordu."

Full story here.

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Greek data watchdog to rule on AI systems in refugee camps https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/greek-data-watchdog-to-rule-on-ai-systems-in-refugee-camps/ Statewatch Thu, 02 Nov 2023 09:44:12 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/greek-data-watchdog-to-rule-on-ai-systems-in-refugee-camps/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"<a href="/publications/reports-and-books/europe-s-techno-borders/">In a report published in July, the research outfit Statewatch</a> compared commission funds to Greece between 2014 and 2020 and those projected to be paid between 2021 and 2027, finding that “the funding directed specifically towards borders has skyrocketed from almost €303m to more than €1bn – an increase of 248%”.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Greece’s Centre for Security Studies, a research and consulting institution overseen by the Greek minister of citizen protection, for example, received €12.8m in EU funds to develop border technologies – the most of any organisation analysed in the report during an eight-year period that ended in 2022."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Greek-data-watchdog-to-rule-on-AI-systems-in-refugee-camps" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "In a report published in July, the research outfit Statewatch compared commission funds to Greece between 2014 and 2020 and those projected to be paid between 2021 and 2027, finding that “the funding directed specifically towards borders has skyrocketed from almost €303m to more than €1bn – an increase of 248%”.

Greece’s Centre for Security Studies, a research and consulting institution overseen by the Greek minister of citizen protection, for example, received €12.8m in EU funds to develop border technologies – the most of any organisation analysed in the report during an eight-year period that ended in 2022."

Full story here.

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EU will drohendes Grenzchaos mit Biometrie und App verhindern https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-will-drohendes-grenzchaos-mit-biometrie-und-app-verhindern/ Statewatch Tue, 07 Nov 2023 10:12:32 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/eu-will-drohendes-grenzchaos-mit-biometrie-und-app-verhindern/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Mit einiger Verspätung will die EU in einem Jahr ihr „Einreise-/Ausreisesystem“ (EES) starten. Dann müssen auch Reisende aus Ländern, mit denen Brüssel die gegenseitige Visafreiheit vereinbart hat, an den Außengrenzen vier Fingerabdrücke und ihr Gesichtsbild abgeben. Die spanische EU-Präsidentschaft warnt nun in einem Schreiben die 27 Mitgliedstaaten vor einer „Überlastung der Grenzübergangsstellen“ und kündigt eine Reihe von Maßnahmen an, mit denen die Behörden Chaos vermeiden sollen. Das Dokument hat die britische Organisation Statewatch <a href="/news/2023/october/database-delays-new-timetable-for-interoperable-eu-policing-and-migration-systems-by-2027/">online gestellt</a>."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://netzpolitik.org/2023/einreise-ausreisesystem-eu-will-drohendes-grenzchaos-mit-biometrie-und-app-verhindern/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "Mit einiger Verspätung will die EU in einem Jahr ihr „Einreise-/Ausreisesystem“ (EES) starten. Dann müssen auch Reisende aus Ländern, mit denen Brüssel die gegenseitige Visafreiheit vereinbart hat, an den Außengrenzen vier Fingerabdrücke und ihr Gesichtsbild abgeben. Die spanische EU-Präsidentschaft warnt nun in einem Schreiben die 27 Mitgliedstaaten vor einer „Überlastung der Grenzübergangsstellen“ und kündigt eine Reihe von Maßnahmen an, mit denen die Behörden Chaos vermeiden sollen. Das Dokument hat die britische Organisation Statewatch online gestellt."

Full story here.

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Visafreiheit: USA wollen Zugriff auf EU-Biometriedaten bilateral durchsetzen https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/visafreiheit-usa-wollen-zugriff-auf-eu-biometriedaten-bilateral-durchsetzen/ Statewatch Thu, 30 Nov 2023 15:49:25 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/visafreiheit-usa-wollen-zugriff-auf-eu-biometriedaten-bilateral-durchsetzen/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Für Chris Jones, den Direktor der britischen Bürgerrechtsorganisation Statewatch, <a rel="external noopener" href="/news/2023/november/usa-seeks-bilateral-deals-for-access-to-european-criminal-terrorist-and-identity-records" target="_blank">steht aber außer Frage</a>, dass die USA weiter "Zugriff auf die <a href="https://www.heise.de/news/EU-Migrationskontrolle-Biometrie-Superdatenbank-verursacht-Milliardenkosten-6189788.html">wachsende Palette biometrischer Datenbanken der EU</a>" begehrten. Es sei daher wichtig, möglicherweise schon laufende Verhandlungen über bilaterale Übereinkünfte im Blick zu behalten. Bislang <a rel="external noopener" href="https://netzpolitik.org/2023/alleingang-in-bruessel-eu-kommission-prueft-zugriff-auf-biometriedaten-durch-us-polizei" target="_blank">hinterfragten etwa die deutsche und die französische Regierung den Mehrwert</a> der geforderten "Partnerschaft". Ein Punkt war dabei die mit dem VWP eigentlich gewährte "vollständige Gegenseitigkeit" des Datenzugangs. Denn schon Anfang des Jahres merkte die damalige schwedische EU-Ratspräsidentschaft an, dass es an einer solchen Reziprozität mangele. Dies deutet laut Statewatch daraufhin, "dass die USA mehr erhalten wollten, als sie bereit waren zu geben".</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.heise.de/news/Visafreiheit-USA-wollen-Zugriff-auf-EU-Biometriedaten-bilateral-durchsetzen-9533198.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and see our article <a rel="noopener" href="/news/2023/november/usa-seeks-bilateral-deals-for-access-to-european-criminal-terrorist-and-identity-records/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "Für Chris Jones, den Direktor der britischen Bürgerrechtsorganisation Statewatch, steht aber außer Frage, dass die USA weiter "Zugriff auf die wachsende Palette biometrischer Datenbanken der EU" begehrten. Es sei daher wichtig, möglicherweise schon laufende Verhandlungen über bilaterale Übereinkünfte im Blick zu behalten. Bislang hinterfragten etwa die deutsche und die französische Regierung den Mehrwert der geforderten "Partnerschaft". Ein Punkt war dabei die mit dem VWP eigentlich gewährte "vollständige Gegenseitigkeit" des Datenzugangs. Denn schon Anfang des Jahres merkte die damalige schwedische EU-Ratspräsidentschaft an, dass es an einer solchen Reziprozität mangele. Dies deutet laut Statewatch daraufhin, "dass die USA mehr erhalten wollten, als sie bereit waren zu geben".

Full story here, and see our article here.

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Migrazioni: l’Unione Europea pianifica nuovi accordi con Egitto e Tunisia mentre continua a sostenere la Libia nella lotta alle partenze https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/migrazioni-l-unione-europea-pianifica-nuovi-accordi-con-egitto-e-tunisia-mentre-continua-a-sostenere-la-libia-nella-lotta-alle-partenze/ Statewatch Thu, 30 Nov 2023 15:48:58 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/migrazioni-l-unione-europea-pianifica-nuovi-accordi-con-egitto-e-tunisia-mentre-continua-a-sostenere-la-libia-nella-lotta-alle-partenze/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"La Commissione europea pianifica nuovi accordi da stringere con Tunisia ed Egitto entro la fine dell’anno, nonostante le denunce di lunga data di abusi contro migranti e rifugiati in entrambi i paesi nordafricani, scrive l’Organizzazione Non Governativa basata a Londra <a href="/">Statewatch</a>. Il piano per questi nuovi partenariati è menzionato in un allegato contenuto in una lettera della presidente della Commissione europea, Ursula von der Leyen, inviata al Consiglio europeo prima della riunione di ottobre."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.repubblica.it/solidarieta/immigrazione/2023/11/19/news/migrazioni_lunione_europea_pianifica_nuovi_accordi_con_egitto_e_tunisia_mentre_continua_a_sostenere_la_libia_nella_lotta_a-420738053/" target="_blank">here</a> and see our article <a rel="noopener" href="/news/2023/november/eu-planning-new-anti-migration-deals-with-egypt-and-tunisia-unrepentant-in-support-for-libya/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "La Commissione europea pianifica nuovi accordi da stringere con Tunisia ed Egitto entro la fine dell’anno, nonostante le denunce di lunga data di abusi contro migranti e rifugiati in entrambi i paesi nordafricani, scrive l’Organizzazione Non Governativa basata a Londra Statewatch. Il piano per questi nuovi partenariati è menzionato in un allegato contenuto in una lettera della presidente della Commissione europea, Ursula von der Leyen, inviata al Consiglio europeo prima della riunione di ottobre."

Full story here and see our article here.

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People-smuggling profits at historic high, EU concedes https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/people-smuggling-profits-at-historic-high-eu-concedes/ Statewatch Thu, 30 Nov 2023 15:51:18 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/people-smuggling-profits-at-historic-high-eu-concedes/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"When pressed on how a decade of ideas and proposals to curb the smuggling business has actually led to a historic profits among smugglers, the European Commission was unable to provide answers.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"We have to understand this in a broader context of organised criminal landscape," responded Ylva Johansson, the EU's home affairs commissioner.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Asked if state-perpetrated pushbacks created business opportunities for smugglers, Johansson said EU states had an obligation to protect their borders.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>An internal report the EU's police agency Europol, <a href="https://twitter.com/StatewatchEU/status/1673713568817004544"> cited by London-based NGO Statewatch</a>, says the demand for people-smugglers has indeed increased. But it also says this demand "is fuelled by increased 'push factors' in key regions of origin, combined with the increase in technical obstacles."</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Statewatch says those "technical obstacles" include border walls, surveillance technologies, and other forms of border controls that fall within the remit of the EU and its member states."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://euobserver.com/migration/157751" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "When pressed on how a decade of ideas and proposals to curb the smuggling business has actually led to a historic profits among smugglers, the European Commission was unable to provide answers.

"We have to understand this in a broader context of organised criminal landscape," responded Ylva Johansson, the EU's home affairs commissioner.

Asked if state-perpetrated pushbacks created business opportunities for smugglers, Johansson said EU states had an obligation to protect their borders.

An internal report the EU's police agency Europol, cited by London-based NGO Statewatch, says the demand for people-smugglers has indeed increased. But it also says this demand "is fuelled by increased 'push factors' in key regions of origin, combined with the increase in technical obstacles."

Statewatch says those "technical obstacles" include border walls, surveillance technologies, and other forms of border controls that fall within the remit of the EU and its member states."

Full story here.

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Svensken som ska hålla Frontex på mattan: ”Kan inte vara överallt” https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/svensken-som-ska-halla-frontex-pa-mattan-kan-inte-vara-overallt/ Statewatch Thu, 30 Nov 2023 18:09:38 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/svensken-som-ska-halla-frontex-pa-mattan-kan-inte-vara-overallt/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"I samband med att Grimheden tillträdde sin post år 2021 stärktes hans inflytande. Frontex ledning måste nu ta hans råd i beaktande. Tidigare var detta inget krav.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>En som noga håller koll på Frontex förehavanden i Grekland och andra länder är Yasha Maccanico på organisationen Statewatch. Han säger att Jonas Grimheden är en man med ett svårt, nästintill omöjligt, uppdrag.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>– Frontex är en myndighet vars principiella uppgift är att sätta stopp för så kallad illegal migration, med det ultimata målet att deportera så många som möjligt. Så det finns en hel del att kritisera, men Grimheden opererar också i en kontext där det är svårt att inte kränka vissa rättigheter eller acceptera att sådana sker.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Om inte, skulle Grimheden behöva driva ett flerfrontskrig för att göra förändringar på flera plan inom Frontex. Han har istället valt att laga efter läge, säger Yasha Maccanico.</em><br><em>– Han vill inte ställa till för många problem.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Om denna hållning kan man enligt Yasha Maccanico tycka vad man vill. Men om Frontex skulle ha en chef för mänskliga rättigheter som ständigt rör om i grytan skulle det kunna försvåra myndighetens arbete i vissa länder.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>– Frontex är beroende av medlemsstaternas goda vilja och måste välkomnas av dem, säger han."</em></p> <p>Full article <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.etc.se/utrikes/vi-kan-inte-vara-oeverallt-hela-tiden" target="_blank">here</a> (paywall).</p> "I samband med att Grimheden tillträdde sin post år 2021 stärktes hans inflytande. Frontex ledning måste nu ta hans råd i beaktande. Tidigare var detta inget krav.

En som noga håller koll på Frontex förehavanden i Grekland och andra länder är Yasha Maccanico på organisationen Statewatch. Han säger att Jonas Grimheden är en man med ett svårt, nästintill omöjligt, uppdrag.

– Frontex är en myndighet vars principiella uppgift är att sätta stopp för så kallad illegal migration, med det ultimata målet att deportera så många som möjligt. Så det finns en hel del att kritisera, men Grimheden opererar också i en kontext där det är svårt att inte kränka vissa rättigheter eller acceptera att sådana sker.

Om inte, skulle Grimheden behöva driva ett flerfrontskrig för att göra förändringar på flera plan inom Frontex. Han har istället valt att laga efter läge, säger Yasha Maccanico.
– Han vill inte ställa till för många problem.

Om denna hållning kan man enligt Yasha Maccanico tycka vad man vill. Men om Frontex skulle ha en chef för mänskliga rättigheter som ständigt rör om i grytan skulle det kunna försvåra myndighetens arbete i vissa länder.

– Frontex är beroende av medlemsstaternas goda vilja och måste välkomnas av dem, säger han."

Full article here (paywall).

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Europol löscht NoBorder-Initiativen aus Terrorbericht https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/europol-loscht-noborder-initiativen-aus-terrorbericht/ Statewatch Thu, 30 Nov 2023 18:11:41 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/europol-loscht-noborder-initiativen-aus-terrorbericht/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Der TE-SAT-Bericht belegt jedes Jahr, wie die Mitgliedstaaten die Definition von Terrorismus missbrauchen und Aktivisten als Bedrohung für die nationale Sicherheit bezeichnen«, sagt Romain Lanneau von Statewatch zu dem nach seiner Ansicht einmaligen Vorgang einer Löschung. Die britische Bürgerrechtsorganisation gehört zu den Trägern einer <a href="https://edri.org/our-work/how-to-request-access-to-your-personal-data-stored-by-europol-a-guide/">Kampagne zu Auskunftsersuchen bei Europol</a>. Mutmaßlich Betroffene sollen bei der Polizeiagentur anfragen, welche Daten dort über sie gespeichert sind und etwaige »Treffer« den Organisatoren zurückmelden."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nd-aktuell.de/artikel/1177965.abolish-frontex-europol-loescht-noborder-initiativen-aus-terrorbericht.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "Der TE-SAT-Bericht belegt jedes Jahr, wie die Mitgliedstaaten die Definition von Terrorismus missbrauchen und Aktivisten als Bedrohung für die nationale Sicherheit bezeichnen«, sagt Romain Lanneau von Statewatch zu dem nach seiner Ansicht einmaligen Vorgang einer Löschung. Die britische Bürgerrechtsorganisation gehört zu den Trägern einer Kampagne zu Auskunftsersuchen bei Europol. Mutmaßlich Betroffene sollen bei der Polizeiagentur anfragen, welche Daten dort über sie gespeichert sind und etwaige »Treffer« den Organisatoren zurückmelden."

Full story here.

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NGOs: EU asylum overhaul will create 'cruel system' https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/ngos-eu-asylum-overhaul-will-create-cruel-system/ Statewatch Tue, 19 Dec 2023 12:13:54 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/ngos-eu-asylum-overhaul-will-create-cruel-system/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"The aim is to reach political agreement, possibly later on Monday, <a href="https://euobserver.com/migration/157790"> amid intense political pressure</a> in the hopes of wrapping up the fine print before the European elections next June.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>But a Spanish EU presidency paper, <a href="/news/2023/december/tracking-the-pact-human-rights-disaster-in-the-works-as-parliament-makes-significant-concessions-to-council/"> leaked earlier this month by civil liberties group Statewatch</a>, reveals that the parliament has made major concessions that will likely see more restrictive asylum rules."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://euobserver.com/migration/157855" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "The aim is to reach political agreement, possibly later on Monday, amid intense political pressure in the hopes of wrapping up the fine print before the European elections next June.

But a Spanish EU presidency paper, leaked earlier this month by civil liberties group Statewatch, reveals that the parliament has made major concessions that will likely see more restrictive asylum rules."

Full story here.

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New Brexit fingerprint checks for UK travellers in Europe set to start in 2024 https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/new-brexit-fingerprint-checks-for-uk-travellers-in-europe-set-to-start-in-2024/ Statewatch Tue, 19 Dec 2023 12:16:24 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/new-brexit-fingerprint-checks-for-uk-travellers-in-europe-set-to-start-in-2024/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"The non-profit group Statewatch, which monitors civil liberties in the EU, predicts that technology firms could make millions of euros from operating the ESS, while travellers could face hefty delays.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>“The Austrian government has estimated that waiting times, often already lengthy, will double when the system comes into use,” the group’s director Chris Jones told <strong>i</strong>.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>He added: “Holidaymakers, workers, students and people visiting their families are unlikely to experience the convenience and efficiency promised by proponents of the system.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>“Instead, it seems the main beneficiaries will be police and border agencies hungry for more sensitive personal data, and the IT companies that stand to make hundreds of millions of euros from the contracts for setting up and operating the system.”"</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/travel/brexit-fingerprint-checks-uk-travellers-europe-start-months-2814126" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "The non-profit group Statewatch, which monitors civil liberties in the EU, predicts that technology firms could make millions of euros from operating the ESS, while travellers could face hefty delays.

“The Austrian government has estimated that waiting times, often already lengthy, will double when the system comes into use,” the group’s director Chris Jones told i.

He added: “Holidaymakers, workers, students and people visiting their families are unlikely to experience the convenience and efficiency promised by proponents of the system.

“Instead, it seems the main beneficiaries will be police and border agencies hungry for more sensitive personal data, and the IT companies that stand to make hundreds of millions of euros from the contracts for setting up and operating the system.”"

Full story here.

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Police to be able to run face recognition searches on 50m driving licence holders https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/police-to-be-able-to-run-face-recognition-searches-on-50m-driving-licence-holders/ Statewatch Mon, 08 Jan 2024 15:06:36 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/police-to-be-able-to-run-face-recognition-searches-on-50m-driving-licence-holders/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Chris Jones, the director at Statewatch, a civil liberties NGO, called on MPs to reject the controversial change.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>He said: “There has been no public announcement of or consultation over this plan, which will put anyone in the country with a driving licence into a permanent police lineup. Opening up civil databases to mass police searches turns everyone, a priori, into a suspect. More surveillance and snooping powers will not make people safer.”"</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/dec/20/police-to-be-able-to-run-face-recognition-searches-on-50m-driving-licence-holders" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "Chris Jones, the director at Statewatch, a civil liberties NGO, called on MPs to reject the controversial change.

He said: “There has been no public announcement of or consultation over this plan, which will put anyone in the country with a driving licence into a permanent police lineup. Opening up civil databases to mass police searches turns everyone, a priori, into a suspect. More surveillance and snooping powers will not make people safer.”"

Full story here.

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USA krever fri adgang til å søke i norske registre https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/usa-krever-fri-adgang-til-a-soke-i-norske-registre/ Statewatch Tue, 09 Jan 2024 09:53:51 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/usa-krever-fri-adgang-til-a-soke-i-norske-registre/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Ved å søke i norske og andre lands registre, vil USA kunne undersøke folk langt grundigere. Dermed kan de også nekte flere uønskede tilreisende innreise.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>I et dokument skriver Department of Homeland Security at myndighetene vil kunne søke i relevante straffesaks-, terrorist- og identitetsregistre.</em><br><em>Ved treff skal de kunne hente ut store mengder personlige data om reisende.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Som motytelse tilbyr USA blant annet søk i sikkerhetsdepartementets egne databaser. De inneholder 1,1 milliarder registreringer om 270 millioner  personer, ifølge et faktaark laget av amerikanske myndigheter. Det er offentliggjort av menneskerettighetsorganisasjonen Statewatch."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bt.no/politikk/i/GMVjdx/usa-vil-soeke-fritt-i-norske-politiregistre-ellers-faar-du-ikke-reise-dit-uten-visum" target="_blank">here</a> (paywall), citing <a rel="noopener" href="/news/2022/july/usa-offers-foreign-states-access-to-1-1-billion-biometric-encounters-in-return-for-reciprocal-database-access/" target="_blank">this report</a>.</p> "Ved å søke i norske og andre lands registre, vil USA kunne undersøke folk langt grundigere. Dermed kan de også nekte flere uønskede tilreisende innreise.

I et dokument skriver Department of Homeland Security at myndighetene vil kunne søke i relevante straffesaks-, terrorist- og identitetsregistre.
Ved treff skal de kunne hente ut store mengder personlige data om reisende.

Som motytelse tilbyr USA blant annet søk i sikkerhetsdepartementets egne databaser. De inneholder 1,1 milliarder registreringer om 270 millioner  personer, ifølge et faktaark laget av amerikanske myndigheter. Det er offentliggjort av menneskerettighetsorganisasjonen Statewatch."

Full story here (paywall), citing this report.

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Irak ottaa nyt palautettavat kansalaisensa vastaan, Somalia kieltäytyy yhä yhteistyöstä https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/irak-ottaa-nyt-palautettavat-kansalaisensa-vastaan-somalia-kieltaytyy-yha-yhteistyosta/ Statewatch Tue, 27 Feb 2024 12:03:55 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/irak-ottaa-nyt-palautettavat-kansalaisensa-vastaan-somalia-kieltaytyy-yha-yhteistyosta/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Helsingin Sanomat reported in an article published on Sunday 26 February on the media attention the returns from Finland have received on Iraqi satellite channels and social media. Rekan Khalil, who resisted deportation and was returned to Iraq, filed a criminal complaint about the use of force by Finnish police. The detention centre is described in the Tiktok video and in TV interviews as a "prison".</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>(...)</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>The Iraq news has also quoted a report by the British NGO Statewatch that Iraq had agreed to accept all its citizens last March, and that the EU was still seeking an informal agreement to step up returns.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Helsingin Sanomat asked Iraq's migration ministry about the matter. Soran Omar, a member of the Iraqi parliament's committee on migration and refugees, wrote in a message to Helsingin Sanomat only that "we have discussed this issue with the foreign minister and told him that it is unacceptable for Iraq to accept forced returns"."</em></p> <p>Machine translation, full story (in Finnish) <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/art-2000010058988.html" target="_blank">here</a>. The <em>Statewatch </em>report cited in the article is available <a rel="noopener" href="/news/2023/october/eu-seeking-informal-agreement-to-boost-deportations-to-iraq/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> "Helsingin Sanomat reported in an article published on Sunday 26 February on the media attention the returns from Finland have received on Iraqi satellite channels and social media. Rekan Khalil, who resisted deportation and was returned to Iraq, filed a criminal complaint about the use of force by Finnish police. The detention centre is described in the Tiktok video and in TV interviews as a "prison".

(...)

The Iraq news has also quoted a report by the British NGO Statewatch that Iraq had agreed to accept all its citizens last March, and that the EU was still seeking an informal agreement to step up returns.

Helsingin Sanomat asked Iraq's migration ministry about the matter. Soran Omar, a member of the Iraqi parliament's committee on migration and refugees, wrote in a message to Helsingin Sanomat only that "we have discussed this issue with the foreign minister and told him that it is unacceptable for Iraq to accept forced returns"."

Machine translation, full story (in Finnish) here. The Statewatch report cited in the article is available here.

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Kunstmatige intelligentie maakt de Europese grenzen nog killer. ‘Europa verschuilt zich achter technologie’ https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/kunstmatige-intelligentie-maakt-de-europese-grenzen-nog-killer-europa-verschuilt-zich-achter-technologie/ Statewatch Tue, 05 Mar 2024 12:56:19 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/kunstmatige-intelligentie-maakt-de-europese-grenzen-nog-killer-europa-verschuilt-zich-achter-technologie/ <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>"Dit soort systemen worden vaak verdedigd met het argument dat menselijke vooroordelen hiermee worden uitgebannen. Maar technologie ís niet objectief en onbevooroordeeld, zegt Romain Lanneau. Hij is onderzoeker bij Statewatch, een organisatie die toezicht houdt op het behoud van burgerlijke vrijheden in Europa.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>‘Het grootste probleem’, zegt Lanneau, ‘is dat deze technologieën getest worden met bestaande data van migranten, die is opgeslagen door grenswachten in de afgelopen tien jaar.’ De risicoproelen die een algoritme opstelt, zullen daardoor allesbehalve neutraal zijn.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><em>Experts achten de kans daarom groot dat het gebruik van AI aan de grens zal uitlopen op etnisch proleren: bepaalde etnische of religieuze groepen zullen door het systeem sneller worden aangemerkt als leugenaars of als een risico."</em></p> <p>Full story <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nd.nl/nieuws/buitenland/1214786/kunstmatige-intelligentie-maakt-de-europese-grenzen-nog-kille" target="_blank">here</a>.<br></p> "Dit soort systemen worden vaak verdedigd met het argument dat menselijke vooroordelen hiermee worden uitgebannen. Maar technologie ís niet objectief en onbevooroordeeld, zegt Romain Lanneau. Hij is onderzoeker bij Statewatch, een organisatie die toezicht houdt op het behoud van burgerlijke vrijheden in Europa.

‘Het grootste probleem’, zegt Lanneau, ‘is dat deze technologieën getest worden met bestaande data van migranten, die is opgeslagen door grenswachten in de afgelopen tien jaar.’ De risicoproelen die een algoritme opstelt, zullen daardoor allesbehalve neutraal zijn.

Experts achten de kans daarom groot dat het gebruik van AI aan de grens zal uitlopen op etnisch proleren: bepaalde etnische of religieuze groepen zullen door het systeem sneller worden aangemerkt als leugenaars of als een risico."

Full story here.

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How we are funded https://www.statewatch.org/about/how-we-are-funded/ Statewatch Fri, 08 Mar 2024 10:19:48 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/how-we-are-funded/ <p><em>Statewatch </em>is currently supported by:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.statewatch.org/ordering/donate.html">Friends of Statewatch and one-off individual donations</a></li> <li><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.fundersinitiativeforcivilsociety.org/" target="_blank">Funders Initiative for Civil Society</a></li> <li><a rel="noopener" href="/umbraco/Civic%20Futures" target="_blank">The Fund for Global Human Rights</a></li> <li><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/" target="_blank">Open Society Foundations</a></li> <li><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.privacyinternational.org/" target="_blank">Privacy International</a></li> <li><a rel="noopener" href="https://europeanaifund.org/" target="_blank">European AI &amp; Society Fund</a></li> <li><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.brot-fuer-die-welt.de/" target="_blank"><span class="kY2IgmnCmOGjharHErah" style="-webkit-line-clamp: 3;"><span>Brot für die Welt</span></span></a>, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.medico.de/" target="_blank">Medico International</a>, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.misereor.org/" target="_blank">Miseror</a>, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.proasyl.de/" target="_blank">Pro Asyl</a></li> </ul> <p>If you appreciate our work, <a rel="noopener" href="/ordering/donate" target="_blank">please become a Friend of Statewatch</a> - regular individual donations are the best way to keep our work trustworthy, independent and free to access.</p> <div style="padding: 15px 25px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 20px; color: #000000; background-color: rgba(84,145,77,0.2); border-radius: 40px; text-align: center; width: 80%;"> <h2>"Statewatch is an indispensable resource for documents on civil rights and migration in the EU. We have used information gathered from Statewatch for our lawsuit against Frontex and couldn't work as efficiently without the great Statewatch database.</h2> <h2>If Statewatch didn't exist, it would have to be invented."</h2> <p>Arne Semsrott, Director, <a rel="noopener" href="https://fragdenstaat.de/" target="_blank">FragDenStaat</a> (German freedom of information platform)<a data-udi="umb://document/0d5db54f210a4b8e871013eb6d56ef69" href="/donate/" title="Donate"></a></p> </div> Statewatch is currently supported by:

If you appreciate our work, please become a Friend of Statewatch - regular individual donations are the best way to keep our work trustworthy, independent and free to access.

"Statewatch is an indispensable resource for documents on civil rights and migration in the EU. We have used information gathered from Statewatch for our lawsuit against Frontex and couldn't work as efficiently without the great Statewatch database.

If Statewatch didn't exist, it would have to be invented."

Arne Semsrott, Director, FragDenStaat (German freedom of information platform)

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Vacancies https://www.statewatch.org/about/vacancies/ Statewatch Wed, 05 Oct 2022 16:58:36 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/vacancies/ Volunteering with Statewatch https://www.statewatch.org/about/volunteering-with-statewatch/ Statewatch Wed, 05 Oct 2022 16:58:36 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/volunteering-with-statewatch/ <p>We occasionally take on volunteers to work on our research projects and other tasks within the organization. Volunteering is intended to provide a benefit for the organization (by assisting paid staff with their work through contributions to research, analysis, publications and other tasks) and for volunteers themselves (by providing an opportunity to obtain new skills and knowledge about the issues on which we work and by gaining work experience).</p> <p>Work undertaken by volunteers will vary depending on our ongoing projects, but our research is generally focused on the law, the powers and the practices of the state in relation to policing, migration, surveillance, criminal law, prisons and secrecy. Much of our work focuses on the institutions and agencies of the European Union, but we also work on national issues. We undertake research in order to produce news, analyses and reports. We then use this to inform our work with others in civil society to promote education and positive advances in the fields of civil liberties and individual rights.</p> <p>You can find out more about work and the organization by looking at our <a href="/"><span>website</span></a>.</p> <p><strong>What we expect of volunteers</strong></p> <p>We ask our volunteers to make themselves available for a minimum of one day a week for a minimum period of three months. This period may be extended subject to evaluation and mutual agreement. Normally this would involve working in our office in Fleet Street, London, although due to the pandemic we are all currently working remotely and volunteers will be asked to do the same.</p> <p>There is no need for volunteers to have any specific qualifications or educational experience, but they must have an interest the issues we cover, a commitment to our <a href="/about/">vision and objectives</a> and a demonstrable ability to undertake research and writing. Given the European scope of our work, a good knowledge of a European language other than English is considered beneficial, but not essential. We also see involvement in community, local, national or international activism and campaigning as a positive asset.</p> <p><strong>What volunteers can expect of us</strong></p> <p>We will assist you with developing your research and writing skills and provide you with experience of working as part of a small, committed team that regularly works and engages with individuals and organisations in the UK, elsewhere in Europe and occasionally further afield. You will be welcome to attend staff meetings, public events and meetings with other individuals and organisations that may arise as part of the project(s) you are working on. We will cover lunch costs and reasonable travel expenses.</p> <p><strong>Applying to volunteer</strong></p> <p>We always welcome expressions of interest from volunteers, but will only be able to provide opportunities when time and circumstances permit. If you would like to apply to volunteer, then please do the following:</p> <ul> <li>Familiarise yourself with our work by looking at our website.</li> <li>Write to us at <span>comms [at] statewatch.org</span> with a CV, a short explanation of issues of interest to you, your interest in volunteering and what you hope to gain from doing so, and your level of availability (i.e. specific days/times per week and specific months of the year).</li> </ul> <p>You are welcome to contact us by phone or email with any questions you may have beforehand. We cannot offer opportunities to everyone who expresses their interest in volunteering, but we will always respond.</p> <p>If you don't wish to have a volunteer but would like to contribute to our work in another way, you can contribute material for publication - find out more <a data-udi="umb://document/31c7ff19d4104d5f99d25c8edf535fbc" href="/about/contribute-to-statewatch/" title="Contribute to Statewatch">here</a>.</p> We occasionally take on volunteers to work on our research projects and other tasks within the organization. Volunteering is intended to provide a benefit for the organization (by assisting paid staff with their work through contributions to research, analysis, publications and other tasks) and for volunteers themselves (by providing an opportunity to obtain new skills and knowledge about the issues on which we work and by gaining work experience).

Work undertaken by volunteers will vary depending on our ongoing projects, but our research is generally focused on the law, the powers and the practices of the state in relation to policing, migration, surveillance, criminal law, prisons and secrecy. Much of our work focuses on the institutions and agencies of the European Union, but we also work on national issues. We undertake research in order to produce news, analyses and reports. We then use this to inform our work with others in civil society to promote education and positive advances in the fields of civil liberties and individual rights.

You can find out more about work and the organization by looking at our website.

What we expect of volunteers

We ask our volunteers to make themselves available for a minimum of one day a week for a minimum period of three months. This period may be extended subject to evaluation and mutual agreement. Normally this would involve working in our office in Fleet Street, London, although due to the pandemic we are all currently working remotely and volunteers will be asked to do the same.

There is no need for volunteers to have any specific qualifications or educational experience, but they must have an interest the issues we cover, a commitment to our vision and objectives and a demonstrable ability to undertake research and writing. Given the European scope of our work, a good knowledge of a European language other than English is considered beneficial, but not essential. We also see involvement in community, local, national or international activism and campaigning as a positive asset.

What volunteers can expect of us

We will assist you with developing your research and writing skills and provide you with experience of working as part of a small, committed team that regularly works and engages with individuals and organisations in the UK, elsewhere in Europe and occasionally further afield. You will be welcome to attend staff meetings, public events and meetings with other individuals and organisations that may arise as part of the project(s) you are working on. We will cover lunch costs and reasonable travel expenses.

Applying to volunteer

We always welcome expressions of interest from volunteers, but will only be able to provide opportunities when time and circumstances permit. If you would like to apply to volunteer, then please do the following:

  • Familiarise yourself with our work by looking at our website.
  • Write to us at comms [at] statewatch.org with a CV, a short explanation of issues of interest to you, your interest in volunteering and what you hope to gain from doing so, and your level of availability (i.e. specific days/times per week and specific months of the year).

You are welcome to contact us by phone or email with any questions you may have beforehand. We cannot offer opportunities to everyone who expresses their interest in volunteering, but we will always respond.

If you don't wish to have a volunteer but would like to contribute to our work in another way, you can contribute material for publication - find out more here.

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Contribute to Statewatch https://www.statewatch.org/about/contribute-to-statewatch/ Statewatch Wed, 31 Jan 2024 07:14:50 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/contribute-to-statewatch/ <p>Statewatch is a small, non-profit organisation and our work is greatly enhanced by our network of volunteer contributors across Europe. If you would like to contribute to Statewatch, please read the following and contact office [at] statewatch.org. If you require it, you can find our public PGP key <a data-udi="umb://document/d6b1da0bab6e4afe85564c6db3c7a229" href="/about/contact/pgp-key/" title="PGP Key">here</a>.</p> <p>We accept the following types of contributions:</p> <ul> <li><strong>news articles</strong> – 200-1,500 words;</li> <li><strong>analyses</strong> – 1,000 – 10,000 words;</li> <li><strong>documentation</strong> – official documents; and</li> <li><strong>links</strong> – to articles, reports, analyses or information relevant to <em>Statewatch</em>’s work.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Translations</strong> of material into English are always welcome, provided that permission is sought from the original author/publisher (where necessary).</p> <p><a data-udi="umb://document/1b014e409d6e414aace3dd16b2bb5cba" href="/news/" title="News"><strong>News articles </strong></a>can be based on: first-hand reporting; relevant reports published by NGOs, government bodies or other organisations; write-ups of academic work; official documentation; official speeches; book reviews. You can find examples of news articles we have published <a href="/news/2020/november/policing-three-undercover-networks-merge-in-step-towards-a-single-pan-european-surveillance-network/">here</a>, <a href="/news/2020/august/german-naval-deployments-sit-back-and-watch-illegal-deportations-by-the-greek-authorities/">here</a>, <a href="/news/2020/november/frontex-will-a-management-board-sub-group-find-the-truth-about-pushbacks/">here</a>, <a href="/news/2020/august/spain-introduces-new-guardia-civil-unit-reinforcing-the-militarisation-of-the-southern-border/">here</a> and <a href="/news/2020/october/eu-tracking-the-pact-reinforced-cooperation-against-migrant-smuggling-with-balkan-and-african-partners/">here</a>. They should report the facts and other peoples' opinions, but not the author's own opinions.</p> <p><a data-udi="umb://document/ad6d4cecafcc4a61a1e9ca632893a7b2" href="/analyses/" title="Analyses"><strong>Analyses</strong></a> should take an in-depth look at an issue or situation and be between 1,000 and 10,000 words in length. An analysis should provide the author's opinion on the topic in question, as long as that opinion is backed up by evidence.</p> <p>We frequently publish official <strong>documentation</strong>, both from the EU institutions and national governments. Documents themselves are very welcome contributions, as are summaries of their content. If you have material you would like to send to us securely, you can find our contact details <a data-udi="umb://document/b6fe59da1761436e9d47a092f47314e8" href="/about/contact/" title="Contact">here</a>.</p> <p>We provide hundreds of <strong>links </strong>every year to material published by newspapers, NGOs, official bodies and other organisations. You are welcome to send us links to relevant material; at the same time, summaries of the content of those links would be much appreciated, in particular <strong>summary translations</strong> into English.</p> <p>Bear in mind that we are a small organisation with limited time and resources. If you wish to submit a longer article for consideration (1,500 words or more), please send us an abstract/summary first.</p> <p>Articles should be submitted to office [at] statewatch.org with minimal formatting. If you are affiliated to an institution (e.g. university, NGO) that you wish to be published alongside your name, please inform us. If you require it, you can find our public PGP key <a data-udi="umb://document/d6b1da0bab6e4afe85564c6db3c7a229" href="/about/contact/pgp-key/" title="PGP Key">here</a>.</p> <p><strong>Style guide</strong></p> <p><strong>Spelling and capitalisation</strong></p> <p>Statewatch uses minimal capitalisation - e.g. for the first word of a heading or title of an article; lower case for terms like prime minister, mayor, etc.; 'black' or ‘brown’ are normally lower case, however the author's preference will be followed.</p> <p>Use British spelling, not US, except where necessary in quotations. Use -ise form, not -ize. US, not U.S.; Mr not Mr. but Jenny M. Russell, not Jenny M Russell.</p> <p>Numbers one to ten should be spelt out unless they are the first word of a sentence, ages, percentages or statistical material. Use %, not per cent.</p> <p><strong>Quotations</strong></p> <p>For all quotes, use double quotation marks (“”), except for quotes within quotes, for which use single quotation marks (‘’).</p> <p>Full stops should follow quotation marks unless the quotation itself forms a complete sentence; commas should be placed within punctuation marks when authors’ text follows (as necessary).</p> <p>Quotes of more than two lines should usually be indented and italicised.</p> <p>Square brackets [] should be used to indicate matter inserted into a quotation, and three stops followed by a space to indicate matter omitted. Please indicate where emphasis is added in any quotation, either before or after the quotation as appropriate.</p> <p><strong>References, footnotes and links</strong></p> <p>The following format is preferred for references: author, title, publication/publisher, document number, date, URL. Where any individual item within that format is irrelevant, it should be discarded but the remaining items preserved in the same order.</p> <p>Footnote/reference markers in the text should be numbered with Arabic numerals (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4...) and placed after punctuation marks.</p> <p>Links may also be embedded in the text, if the author does not wish to use a footnote to add detail/explanation.</p> <p>Where links lead to another file type, this should be indicated in brackets (e.g. pdf).</p> <p><strong>Abbreviations</strong></p> <p>Where abbreviations are used, the full name/title should be provided first, followed by the abbreviation in brackets. Subsequently, generally only the abbreviation should be used.</p> <p><strong>Copyright</strong></p> <p>Before publication, authors are requested to assign copyright of original material to <em>Statewatch</em>. They retain their right to reuse the material in other publications written or edited by themselves. If another form of licence applies (e.g. Creative Commons), we will abide by the requirements of that licence.</p> <p>Authors are responsible for obtaining permissions from copyright holders for reproducing material in their work that has previously been published elsewhere.</p> Statewatch is a small, non-profit organisation and our work is greatly enhanced by our network of volunteer contributors across Europe. If you would like to contribute to Statewatch, please read the following and contact office [at] statewatch.org. If you require it, you can find our public PGP key here.

We accept the following types of contributions:

  • news articles – 200-1,500 words;
  • analyses – 1,000 – 10,000 words;
  • documentation – official documents; and
  • links – to articles, reports, analyses or information relevant to Statewatch’s work.

Translations of material into English are always welcome, provided that permission is sought from the original author/publisher (where necessary).

News articles can be based on: first-hand reporting; relevant reports published by NGOs, government bodies or other organisations; write-ups of academic work; official documentation; official speeches; book reviews. You can find examples of news articles we have published here, here, here, here and here. They should report the facts and other peoples' opinions, but not the author's own opinions.

Analyses should take an in-depth look at an issue or situation and be between 1,000 and 10,000 words in length. An analysis should provide the author's opinion on the topic in question, as long as that opinion is backed up by evidence.

We frequently publish official documentation, both from the EU institutions and national governments. Documents themselves are very welcome contributions, as are summaries of their content. If you have material you would like to send to us securely, you can find our contact details here.

We provide hundreds of links every year to material published by newspapers, NGOs, official bodies and other organisations. You are welcome to send us links to relevant material; at the same time, summaries of the content of those links would be much appreciated, in particular summary translations into English.

Bear in mind that we are a small organisation with limited time and resources. If you wish to submit a longer article for consideration (1,500 words or more), please send us an abstract/summary first.

Articles should be submitted to office [at] statewatch.org with minimal formatting. If you are affiliated to an institution (e.g. university, NGO) that you wish to be published alongside your name, please inform us. If you require it, you can find our public PGP key here.

Style guide

Spelling and capitalisation

Statewatch uses minimal capitalisation - e.g. for the first word of a heading or title of an article; lower case for terms like prime minister, mayor, etc.; 'black' or ‘brown’ are normally lower case, however the author's preference will be followed.

Use British spelling, not US, except where necessary in quotations. Use -ise form, not -ize. US, not U.S.; Mr not Mr. but Jenny M. Russell, not Jenny M Russell.

Numbers one to ten should be spelt out unless they are the first word of a sentence, ages, percentages or statistical material. Use %, not per cent.

Quotations

For all quotes, use double quotation marks (“”), except for quotes within quotes, for which use single quotation marks (‘’).

Full stops should follow quotation marks unless the quotation itself forms a complete sentence; commas should be placed within punctuation marks when authors’ text follows (as necessary).

Quotes of more than two lines should usually be indented and italicised.

Square brackets [] should be used to indicate matter inserted into a quotation, and three stops followed by a space to indicate matter omitted. Please indicate where emphasis is added in any quotation, either before or after the quotation as appropriate.

References, footnotes and links

The following format is preferred for references: author, title, publication/publisher, document number, date, URL. Where any individual item within that format is irrelevant, it should be discarded but the remaining items preserved in the same order.

Footnote/reference markers in the text should be numbered with Arabic numerals (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4...) and placed after punctuation marks.

Links may also be embedded in the text, if the author does not wish to use a footnote to add detail/explanation.

Where links lead to another file type, this should be indicated in brackets (e.g. pdf).

Abbreviations

Where abbreviations are used, the full name/title should be provided first, followed by the abbreviation in brackets. Subsequently, generally only the abbreviation should be used.

Copyright

Before publication, authors are requested to assign copyright of original material to Statewatch. They retain their right to reuse the material in other publications written or edited by themselves. If another form of licence applies (e.g. Creative Commons), we will abide by the requirements of that licence.

Authors are responsible for obtaining permissions from copyright holders for reproducing material in their work that has previously been published elsewhere.

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Research services https://www.statewatch.org/about/research-services/ Statewatch Wed, 05 Oct 2022 16:58:36 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/research-services/ <p>We are available to undertake research for other organisations and individuals – for example journalists, lawyers, civil society organisations and activist groups. We have extensive experience of EU and national-level (primarily UK) access to documents/freedom of information requests and are able to gather and analyse data, documents or undertake other work as required.</p> <p>Previous work includes research and writing for <em>Taz</em> newspaper, the <em>Transnational Institute</em> (TNI), the <em>Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants</em> (PICUM) and the <em>Ethical Journalism Nework</em>.</p> <p>We are also able to offer specific assistance with official EU documentation. <a href="http://www.statewatch.org/semdoc/jha-archive.html">SEMDOC and our JHA Archive</a> contain thousands of EU documents from 1971 onwards. Hundreds more documents are also publicly available via our <a href="http://database.statewatch.org/">database</a>. However, we also have an extensive collection of EU documents acquired from the early 1990s onwards that we have not yet been able to digitise. If you are looking for material on a particular topic or theme, please contact us to see how we can help you.</p> <p>Contact <a href="mailto:office@statewatch.org">office@statewatch.org</a> to enquire about details and rates.</p> We are available to undertake research for other organisations and individuals – for example journalists, lawyers, civil society organisations and activist groups. We have extensive experience of EU and national-level (primarily UK) access to documents/freedom of information requests and are able to gather and analyse data, documents or undertake other work as required.

Previous work includes research and writing for Taz newspaper, the Transnational Institute (TNI), the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM) and the Ethical Journalism Nework.

We are also able to offer specific assistance with official EU documentation. SEMDOC and our JHA Archive contain thousands of EU documents from 1971 onwards. Hundreds more documents are also publicly available via our database. However, we also have an extensive collection of EU documents acquired from the early 1990s onwards that we have not yet been able to digitise. If you are looking for material on a particular topic or theme, please contact us to see how we can help you.

Contact office@statewatch.org to enquire about details and rates.

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Privacy Policy https://www.statewatch.org/about/privacy-policy/ Statewatch Wed, 05 Oct 2022 16:58:36 GMT https://www.statewatch.org/about/privacy-policy/ <p><a href="#_Toc35009880">Our privacy principles</a></p> <p><a href="#_Toc35009881">Personal data processed by Statewatch</a></p> <p><a href="/overview">Overview</a></p> <p><a href="#_Toc35009882">Website users</a></p> <p><a href="#_Toc35009883">Mailing list</a></p> <p><a href="#_Toc35009884">Social media</a></p> <p><a href="#_Toc35009885">Donations and purchases</a></p> <ul> <li><a href="#_Toc35009886"> Standing orders</a></li> <li><a href="#_Toc35009887"> Paypal</a></li> <li><a href="#_Toc35009888"> Purchases</a></li> <li><a href="#_Toc35009889"> Gift Aid</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="#_Toc35009890">Communicating with other individuals and organisations</a></p> <p><a href="#_Toc35009891">Events</a></p> <p><a href="#_Toc35009892">Library &amp; Archive</a></p> <p><a href="#_Toc35009893">Employment and volunteering</a></p> <p><a href="#_Toc35009894">Research and investigative work</a></p> <p><a href="#_Toc35009895">Your rights</a><strong> <br></strong></p> <p><a href="#changes">Changes and updates</a></p> <h1><a name="_Toc35009880"></a>Our privacy principles</h1> <p>Statewatch believes that individuals have the right to determine how their personal data is used. We seek to limit our collection and use of your personal data to the minimum necessary for the different services we provide and unless we have your explicit consent will not use that data for purposes other than which it is initially collected.</p> <p>We routinely monitor our precautions to ensure that personal data is held securely. We will inform you promptly and in any event within 28 days of any breach of data security. We do not accept responsibility for any actions of third parties which may result in such a breach.</p> <p>For the purpose of data protection legislation, Statewatch is the data controller. Statewatch is the operating name of the Libertarian Research &amp; Education Trust, registered UK charity number: 1154784; registered UK company number: 08480724; registered office: MayDay Rooms, 88 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1DH.</p> <p>If you wish to exercise your data protection rights, please <a href="#_Toc35009895" data-anchor="#_Toc35009895">contact us</a>.</p> <h1><a name="_Toc35009881"></a>Personal data processed by Statewatch</h1> <p>We process personal data for the following purposes:</p> <ul> <li>To make our website accessible to the public and monitor usage</li> <li>To administer our mailing list</li> <li>To administer our social media accounts</li> <li>To receive regular donations (Friends of Statewatch) and one-off donations</li> <li>To process payments for publications</li> <li>To communicate with other individuals and organisations</li> <li>To organise events</li> <li>To process job and volunteering applications</li> <li>To undertake our research and journalistic work</li> </ul> <h1><a name="_overview"></a>Overview</h1> <table border="0" width="1684"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="348" valign="top" style="width: 347px;"><strong>Purpose</strong></td> <td width="425" valign="top" style="width: 422px;"><strong>Personal data processed</strong></td> <td width="375" valign="top" style="width: 373px;"><strong>Retention period</strong></td> <td width="536" valign="top" style="width: 530px;"><strong>Lawful basis for processing including basis of legitimate interest</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="348" valign="top" style="width: 347px;"><strong>Website users</strong><br>Making our website accesible to the public and monitoring usage</td> <td width="425" valign="top" style="width: 422px;">IP addresses, pages visited, searches, browser, browser language, operating system, country, device type, screen resolution, referrer (e.g. search engine, link from another website, direct entry).<br><br>Dependent on the policies of third-party providers e.g. Soundcloud, Vimeo</td> <td width="375" valign="top" style="width: 373px;">Logs are deleted from the server automatically after three months. Information extracted by Matomo is held indefinitely.<br><br>Dependent on third-party privacy policies.</td> <td style="width: 530px;">Necessary for our legitimate interests, so that we can carry out our work</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="348" valign="top" style="width: 347px;"><strong>Mailing list</strong><br>To administer our mailing list</td> <td width="425" valign="top" style="width: 422px;">Email address</td> <td width="375" valign="top" style="width: 373px;">For as long as the subscriber chooses to remain on the list.</td> <td width="536" valign="top" style="width: 530px;">Data subject's consent</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="348" valign="top" style="width: 347px;"><strong>Social media</strong><br>To administer our social media accounts</td> <td width="425" valign="top" style="width: 422px;">Data made available by Facebook and Twitter users</td> <td width="375" valign="top" style="width: 373px;">In accordance with Facebook's and Twitter's privacy policies</td> <td style="width: 530px;">Data subject's consent</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="4" width="1684" style="width: 1672px;"><strong>Donations and purchases</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="4" width="1684" style="width: 1672px;">Personal data on individuals making donations (whether one-off or recurring) and/or purchases is retained for six years following the date of their last donation to Statewatch. This is necessary should any legal claims arise in relation to those standing orders. The statutory limitation for making any such claim is six years.</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="348" valign="top" style="width: 347px;"><em>Standing orders set up by Statewatch following provision of a standing order mandate</em></td> <td width="425" valign="top" style="width: 422px;">Name<br>Address<br>Bank account number<br>Sort code<br>Bank address</td> <td width="375" valign="top" style="width: 373px;">As above and in accordance with CAF Bank or Santander privacy policy.</td> <td width="536" valign="top" style="width: 530px;">Necessary to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="348" valign="top" style="width: 347px;"><em>Standing order mandates set up by the Friend of Statewatch/donor</em></td> <td width="425" valign="top" style="width: 422px;">Name<br>Bank account number</td> <td width="375" valign="top" style="width: 373px;">As above and in accordance with CAF Bank or Santander privacy policy.</td> <td width="536" valign="top" style="width: 530px;">Necessary to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="348" valign="top" style="width: 347px;"><em>Paypal</em></td> <td width="425" valign="top" style="width: 422px;">Name<br>Address (optional)<br>Email address</td> <td width="375" valign="top" style="width: 373px;">As above and in accordance with Paypal privacy policy.</td> <td width="536" valign="top" style="width: 530px;">Necessary to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="348" valign="top" style="width: 347px;"><em>Gift Aid</em></td> <td width="425" valign="top" style="width: 422px;">Name<br>Address</td> <td width="375" valign="top" style="width: 373px;">As above and in accordance with HMRC Privacy Notice.</td> <td width="536" valign="top" style="width: 530px;">Necessary to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="348" valign="top" style="width: 347px;"><em>Purchases (via Paypal)</em></td> <td width="425" valign="top" style="width: 422px;">Name<br>Address<br>Email address</td> <td width="375" valign="top" style="width: 373px;">As above and in accordance with Paypal privacy policy.</td> <td width="536" valign="top" style="width: 530px;">Necessary to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="348" valign="top" style="width: 347px;"><strong>Communicating with other individuals and organisations</strong></td> <td width="425" valign="top" style="width: 422px;">Email address(es)<br>Name(s)<br>Phone number(s)<br>Address(es)<br>Photo(s)<br>Social media account(s)</td> <td width="375" valign="top" style="width: 373px;">Indefinitely, subject to regular review of necessity and right to object</td> <td width="536" valign="top" style="width: 530px;">Data subject's consent (where they initiate contact with us)<br><br>Necessary for our legitimate interests, so that we can carry out our work/make enquiries/propose projects, etc (in the case of us initiating contact with another individual or organisation).</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="348" valign="top" style="width: 347px;"><strong>Events</strong></td> <td width="425" valign="top" style="width: 422px;">Email address<br>Name(s)<br>Financial information (whether an individual has made a payment and if so, how much)<br>Audio recordings (we will always ask for consent before recording events)<br>Financial information (for reimbursing expenses for speakers,e.g. travel/accommodation costs)<br>Other data, dependent on the policies of third-party providers</td> <td width="375" valign="top" style="width: 373px;">Attendee data: up to 3 months following the event (financial data provided to Paypal via Eventbrite in order to pay for or make a donation for an event will also be retained in accordance with Paypal's Privacy Policy)<br><br>Financial data for reimbursement: six years following date of reimbursement.<br><br>Other data: dependent on policies of third-party providers (we use Zoom to host online events)</td> <td width="536" valign="top" style="width: 530px;">Data subject's consent<br>Necessary to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract<br>Necessary for our legitimate interests, e.g. in promoting our work or publications, hosting discussions on topical issues</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="348" valign="top" style="width: 347px;"><strong>Library &amp; Archive</strong></td> <td width="425" valign="top" style="width: 422px;">Name<br>Profession/occupation<br>Topic(s) of interest</td> <td width="375" valign="top" style="width: 373px;">Indefinitely, subject to a right to object</td> <td width="536" valign="top" style="width: 530px;">Data subject's consent<br><br>Necessary for our legitimate interests, e.g. to analyse usage of the Library &amp; Archive</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="348" valign="top" style="width: 347px;"><strong>Employment and volunteering</strong></td> <td width="425" valign="top" style="width: 422px;">Name(s)<br>Address(es)<br>Date of birth<br>Phone number(s)<br>Email address(es)<br>Other digital messaging service contact details (e.g. Skype, Yahoo! Messenger)<br>Nationality<br>Employment history<br>Education and training level and history<br>Language skills<br>Personal data provided by applicants in covering letters<br>Gender<br>Relationship status<br>Ethnicity<br>Disability/ies<br>Health condition(s)<br>Sexual orientation<br>Religion<br>Caring responsibilities<br>Other personal data<br>Proof of eligibility to work in the UK<br>National insurance number<br>Bank account details</td> <td width="375" valign="top" style="width: 373px;">Candidates not shortlisted for further consideration: up to 3 months following the closing date for applications<br><br>Candidates shortlisted for further consideration: up to six months following the date of interviews<br><br>Candidates invited for interview, but unsuccessful in their application: up to 6 months following the date of interview<br><br>Successful candidates: for the duration of their post (whether paid or voluntary) and indefinitely for archiving purposes following the end of their employment with Statewatch, subject to a right to object<br><br>Bank account details of unsuccessful applicants for employment and volunteering posts: for six years following payment, in the event of any legal claim arising (see ‘Donations and purchases’, above).</td> <td width="536" valign="top" style="width: 530px;">Data subject's consent<br><br>Necessary to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract<br><br>Necessary for our legitimate interests, e.g. to understand the qualities and qualifications of those wishing to work or volunteer for Statewatch</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="348" valign="top" style="width: 347px;"><strong>To undertake our research and journalistic work</strong></td> <td width="425" valign="top" style="width: 422px;">Email address(es)<br>Phone number(s)<br>Address(es)<br>Photo(s)<br>Nationality<br>Sex and gender<br>Other biographical data<br>Employment and professional activities<br>Educational level/activity<br>Religion<br>Racial or ethnic origin<br>Politics views or beliefs<br>Trade union membership<br>Other personal data</td> <td width="375" valign="top" style="width: 373px;">Indefinitely, subject to regular review of necessity</td> <td width="536" valign="top" style="width: 530px;">Necessary for our legitimate interests, in order to achieve our charitable objectives</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 347px;"><strong>For administrative and organisational tasks (e.g. for purchasing goods and services; engaging with trusts, foundations and other organisations or institutions)</strong></td> <td style="width: 422px;"> <p>Email address(es)</p> <p>Phone number(s)</p> <p>Address(es)</p> <p>Biographical data (e.g. names)</p> <p>Employment and professional activities</p> <p>Political views or beliefs</p> </td> <td style="width: 373px;"> <p>In relation to financial transactions, for six years following payment, in the event of any legal claim arising (see ‘Donations and purchases’, above)</p> <p>Indefinitely, subject to regular review of necessity</p> </td> <td style="width: 530px;"> <p>Necessary for our legitimate interests, in order to achieve our charitable objectives</p> <p>Data subject's consent<br><br>Necessary to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract</p> <p> </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h1><a name="_Toc35009882"></a>Website users</h1> <p>Our website (<a href="http://www.statewatch.org">www.statewatch.org</a>) does not use any cookies. Connections to the website are SSL-encrypted in order to protect data transmitted between the server and your computer (e.g. search terms).</p> <p>The only personal data processed on those who access our website are IP addresses. IP addresses are held in the server logs. Those logs are retained on the server for three months and then automatically deleted. They are accessible to staff of The Phone Co-op, who provide our web hosting, for server administration and troubleshooting.</p> <p>We use <a rel="noopener" href="https://matomo.org" target="_blank">Matomo</a> to monitor how our website is used, using <a rel="noopener" href="https://matomo.org/faq/general/faq_157/" target="_blank">tracking that does not use any cookies</a>. This provides us with information on your:</p> <ul> <li>IP addresses accessing the site and their country of location;</li> <li>user agents (i.e. web browser, operating systems, browser language);</li> <li>referrals;</li> <li>pages visited and searches.</li> </ul> <p>These statistics are only available to Statewatch staff. We may publish aggregate statistics, which do not contain any personally identifying information (i.e. IP addresses).</p> <p>We may use third-party providers to embed multimedia content on our site, such as Vimeo or Soundcloud. Usage or viewing of that multimedia content takes places in accordance with those providers' respective policies and terms of use. The Soundcloud Privacy Policy is available <a rel="noopener" href="https://soundcloud.com/pages/privacy" target="_blank">here</a> and the Vimeo Privacy Policy is available <a rel="noopener" href="https://vimeo.com/privacy" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <h1><a name="_Toc35009883"></a>Mailing list</h1> <p>The mailing list is provided for <em>Statewatch</em> by <a href="https://www.greennet.org.uk/about/code-practice">GreenNet</a> and subscribers’ data is stored by them and processed in accordance with their <a href="https://www.greennet.org.uk/about/code-practice">Code of Practice</a>. If you subscribe to our public mailing list, we will keep your email address for so long as you remain a subscriber. A limited number of staff members have administrative access to the list. You can unsubscribe from the list by sending an email from your registered email address to <br>statewatch-unsubscribe [at] gn.apc.org.</p> <h1><a name="_Toc35009884"></a>Social media</h1> <p>We use our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/statewatcheu">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/statewatcheu">Twitter</a> accounts to promote our work.</p> <p>The Facebook page is administered by Facebook, in accordance with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/policy.php">Facebook's Data Policy</a>, and is accessible by Facebook users who have already consented to that policy. Our account is managed by a limited number of Statewatch staff. We do not export information on our followers from Facebook.</p> <p>The Twitter account we use is administered by Twitter, in accordance with <a href="https://twitter.com/en/privacy">Twitter's Privacy Policy</a>. The account is managed by a limited number of Statewatch staff. We do not export information on our followers from Twitter.</p> <h1><a name="_Toc35009885"></a>Donations and purchases</h1> <p>Personal data on individuals making donations (whether one-off or recurring) and/or purchases is retained for six years following the date of their last donation to Statewatch. This is necessary should any legal claims arise in relation to those standing orders. The statutory limitation for making any such claim is six years.</p> <h2><a name="_Toc35009886"></a>· Standing orders</h2> <p>If a donor provides us with a standing order mandate to process on their behalf (i.e. on paper), we process the following personal data:</p> <ul> <li>Name</li> <li>Address</li> <li>Bank account number</li> <li>Sort code</li> <li>Bank address</li> </ul> <p>Donor’s names will continue to appear on our statements every time we receive a donation from them.</p> <p>Where a one-off or recurring donation via standing order is set up by the individual themselves, our statement shows the donor’s name along with the amount they have donated.</p> <p>We hold accounts with CAF Bank and Santander. Personal data provided by donors to either account will be held in accordance with their respective privacy policies (<a href="https://www.cafonline.org/privacy">CAF Bank</a>, <a href="https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/support/customer-support/legal-information">Santander</a>). Something on copies held us by us</p> <h2><a name="_Toc35009887"></a>· Paypal</h2> <p>Where a one-off or recurring donation via Paypal is set up by the individual, we receive their name, address (optional) and email address. Data is held by Paypal in accordance with their <a href="https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full">privacy policy</a>.</p> <h2><a name="_Toc35009888"></a>· Purchases</h2> <p>We use Paypal to process purchases (i.e. of publications or admission to events). To do so, we require the individual’s name, address and email address. Data is held by Paypal in accordance with their <a href="https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full">privacy policy</a>.</p> <h2><a name="_Toc35009889"></a>· Gift Aid</h2> <p>The Gift Aid scheme allows Statewatch to claim back tax on donations from UK taxpayers, with the consent of the individual providing the donation. We do this by submitting an annual claim to Her Majesty’s Revenue &amp; Customs (HRMC). The declaration contains the name and address of the donor. HMRC process personal data in accordance with <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/data-protection-act-dpa-information-hm-revenue-and-customs-hold-about-you/data-protection-act-dpa-information-hm-revenue-and-customs-hold-about-you#how-your-personal-information-is-collected">their Privacy Notice</a>. You can find out more about the Gift Aid scheme <a href="https://www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity/gift-aid">here</a>.</p> <h1><a name="_Toc35009890"></a>Communicating with other individuals and organisations</h1> <p>In order to carry out our work, we may process the personal data of other individuals and organisations, e.g. to respond to phone calls and emails received from the general public; to invite individuals to speak at events or meetings; or to enquire about services (e.g. graphic design, ICT provision, or other commercial arrangements).</p> <p>Our email provider is The Phone Co-op. Any emails sent to an @statewatch.org address will be stored on The Phone Co-op’s servers in accordance with their Privacy Policy. Emails and attachments may also be downloaded onto staff computers, which are password-protected and located in a secure office.</p> <p>Emails are retained indefinitely, with regular reviews of necessity and subject to a right to object.</p> <h1><a name="_Toc35009891"></a>Events</h1> <p>Statewatch occasionally hosts public events (such as meetings, workshops and conferences). For the purposes of managing attendance at those events, we may request that individuals register to attend, in which case we will process the following personal data:</p> <ul> <li>Name</li> <li>Email address</li> </ul> <p>We may also charge admission or seek donations for such events. In such cases, we use <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/">Eventbrite</a> and personal data submitted to that platform (name, email address and, in the case of admission fees, financial information) will be processed in accordance with the <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/support/articles/en_US/Troubleshooting/eventbrite-privacy-policy?lg=en_GB">Eventbrite Privacy Policy</a><span> and the </span><a href="https://www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/ua/privacy-full">privacy policy</a><span> of Paypal, which provides our payment service for Eventbrite</span>. When an individual either pays for admission or makes a donation in relation to attending an event, we will be informed of how much they have paid.</p> <p>Data on event attendees will be retained for up to three months following the event, subject to a right to object.</p> <p>We may also record events (either by audio alone or by audio and video) in order to publish the recordings online. If this is the case, we will only include the personal data of individuals (e.g. spoken word or images of them) that explicitly consent to participating in a recording that will be published online.</p> <p>Audio recordings will be retained indefinitely, subject to a right to object.</p> <p>When we reimburse speakers for travel and/or accommodation costs, we will take personal data (name/account number/sort code/SWIFT/BIC code, if applicable) in order to provide payment. As with other personal data that we process in relation to donations, that data will be retained for six years (see ‘Donations and purchases’, above).</p> <p>For the purpose of hosting online events, we will use the services of third-party providers, namely Zoom. The personal data of attendees at online events we host on Zoom will be processed in accordance with their <a rel="noopener" href="https://zoom.us/privacy/" target="_blank">Privacy Statement</a>.</p> <h1><a name="_Toc35009892"></a>Library &amp; Archive</h1> <p>The <a href="https://statewatch.omeka.net/">Statewatch Library &amp; Archive</a> is open to the public. We ask visitors to register their name, profession/occupation, their interest in the Library &amp; Archive and the date of their visit in our visitor book. Doing so is optional.</p> <p>Where visitors do provide this information, it will be retained indefinitely for archiving purposes, subject to a right to object.</p> <h1><a name="_Toc35009893"></a>Employment and volunteering</h1> <ul> <li><strong>Applications</strong></li> </ul> <p>Personal data we collect for job and volunteering applications is contained in CVs, covering letters, equal opportunities monitoring forms and in notes taken during interviews.</p> <p>We request that individuals provide their CV in the <a href="https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/documents/curriculum-vitae/examples">Europass format</a>, which contains the following data fields:</p> <ul> <li>Name(s)</li> <li>Address(es)</li> <li>Date of birth</li> <li>Phone number(s)</li> <li>Email address(es)</li> <li>Other digital messaging service contact details (e.g. Skype, Yahoo! Messenger)</li> <li>Nationality</li> <li>Employment history</li> <li>Education and training level and history</li> <li>Language skills</li> </ul> <p>Applicants may also provide personal data to us in their covering letters (e.g. concerning their employment history or situation, their family situation, relevant personal experiences).</p> <p>We ask all applicants to complete an equal opportunities monitoring form, although doing so is not obligatory. This contains the following data fields:</p> <ul> <li>Gender</li> <li>Relationship status</li> <li>Ethnicity</li> <li>Disability/ies</li> <li>Health condition(s)</li> <li>Sexual orientation</li> <li>Religion</li> <li>Caring responsibilities</li> </ul> <p>Further personal data provided by prospective employees or volunteers may also be recorded by staff and trustees conducting interviews.</p> <p>Successful candidates for employment will be required to provide further personal data:</p> <ul> <li>Proof of eligibility to work in the UK</li> <li>National insurance number</li> <li>Bank account details</li> </ul> <p>Successful candidates for volunteering will be required to provide further personal data:</p> <ul> <li>Bank account details (for covering expenses)</li> </ul> <p>Bank account details may be taken from unsuccessful candidates who are interviewed for both employment and volunteering, in order to cover expenses incurred for attending the interview.</p> <p>Personal data provided during the job/volunteering application process will be stored for differing lengths of time, depending on the category into which the individual falls:</p> <ul> <li>Candidates not shortlisted for further consideration: up to 3 months following the closing date for applications;</li> <li>Candidates shortlisted for further consideration: up to six months following the date of interviews;</li> <li>Candidates invited for interview, but unsuccessful in their application: up to 6 months following the date of interview;</li> <li>Successful candidates: for the duration of their post (whether paid or voluntary) and indefinitely for archiving purposes following the end of their employment with Statewatch, subject to a right to object.</li> <li>Bank account details of unsuccessful applicants for employment and volunteering posts: for six years following payment, in the event of any legal claim arising (see ‘Donations and purchases’, above).</li> </ul> <p>Personal data provided during the job/volunteering application process will only be accessible to a limited number of staff/trustees and will be stored in a secure location. Aggregate data compiled from equal opportunities monitoring forms will be retained indefinitely, for archiving purposes.</p> <h1><a name="_Toc35009894"></a>Research and investigative work</h1> <p>We collect and process data in relation to the research and investigations we undertake for the purposes of our charitable objectives:</p> <ul> <li>the advancement of education in the subject of civil rights and liberties of the individual in society, in particular but not exclusively by the promotion and undertaking of study and research and the dissemination of the useful results thereof;</li> <li>to promote the sound administration and development of the law relating to the civil rights and liberties of the individual.</li> </ul> <p>For example, in order to pursue enquiries, we may gather the names and contact details of employees of public and private organisations. Data may be provided by the individuals themselves, acquired from public sources, or received via third parties. We may also gather other data, including sensitive data, insofar as this is necessary for the purposes of our research and investigations, including: biographical information; employment details; educational history; financial information; photographs; information on racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, interests and beliefs, membership of trade unions or other private organisations, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation and information concerning the commission (or alleged commission) of any criminal offence, as well as any related proceedings and sentences.</p> <p>Specific data protection policies and/or safeguards may be adopted with regard to research projects. Research participants will be informed of these policies and their rights.</p> <h1>Organisational and administrative tasks</h1> <p>We collect and process personal data for the purpose of running the organisation, e.g. in relation to providers of goods and services, or the staff of trusts and foundations that do or may provide funding to Statewatch. The personal data gathered in the course of these activities may include:</p> <ul> <li>Email address(es)</li> <li>Phone number(s)</li> <li>Address(es)</li> <li>Biographical data (e.g. names)</li> <li>Employment and professional activities</li> <li>Political views or beliefs</li> </ul> <p>Data relating to financial transactions will be held for six years, although any personal data not required will be deleted before that date. Other personal data may be held indefinitely, subject to regular review of necessity.</p> <h1><a name="_Toc35009895"></a>Your rights</h1> <p>You have the following rights:</p> <ul> <li>to be informed about our collection and use of your data;</li> <li>to access your personal data;</li> <li>to correct any inaccuracies in the data we hold on you;</li> <li>to object to any particular use of your data;</li> <li>to have your data deleted wholly or in part; and</li> <li>to be notified of any data breach.</li> </ul> <p>Your rights are subject to the exemptions and restrictions set out in the <a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32016R0679">General Data Protection Regulation</a> and the <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2018/12">Data Protection Act 2018</a>.</p> <p>To exercise your rights, please contact office [at] statewatch.org.</p> <h1><a name="changes"></a>Changes and updates</h1> <ul> <li>16 February 2022: Registered addresses changed; section on the processing of personal data for organisational and administrative tasks added.</li> <li>11 September 2020: Updated to remove provisions on the use of Webalizer for web stats, and add provisions on the use of Matomo.</li> <li>2 July 2020: Updated to include provisions on the use of Zoom for hosting online events.</li> </ul> Our privacy principles

Personal data processed by Statewatch

Overview

Website users

Mailing list

Social media

Donations and purchases

Communicating with other individuals and organisations

Events

Library & Archive

Employment and volunteering

Research and investigative work

Your rights

Changes and updates

Our privacy principles

Statewatch believes that individuals have the right to determine how their personal data is used. We seek to limit our collection and use of your personal data to the minimum necessary for the different services we provide and unless we have your explicit consent will not use that data for purposes other than which it is initially collected.

We routinely monitor our precautions to ensure that personal data is held securely. We will inform you promptly and in any event within 28 days of any breach of data security. We do not accept responsibility for any actions of third parties which may result in such a breach.

For the purpose of data protection legislation, Statewatch is the data controller. Statewatch is the operating name of the Libertarian Research & Education Trust, registered UK charity number: 1154784; registered UK company number: 08480724; registered office: MayDay Rooms, 88 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1DH.

If you wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact us.

Personal data processed by Statewatch

We process personal data for the following purposes:

  • To make our website accessible to the public and monitor usage
  • To administer our mailing list
  • To administer our social media accounts
  • To receive regular donations (Friends of Statewatch) and one-off donations
  • To process payments for publications
  • To communicate with other individuals and organisations
  • To organise events
  • To process job and volunteering applications
  • To undertake our research and journalistic work

Overview

Purpose Personal data processed Retention period Lawful basis for processing including basis of legitimate interest
Website users
Making our website accesible to the public and monitoring usage
IP addresses, pages visited, searches, browser, browser language, operating system, country, device type, screen resolution, referrer (e.g. search engine, link from another website, direct entry).

Dependent on the policies of third-party providers e.g. Soundcloud, Vimeo
Logs are deleted from the server automatically after three months. Information extracted by Matomo is held indefinitely.

Dependent on third-party privacy policies.
Necessary for our legitimate interests, so that we can carry out our work
Mailing list
To administer our mailing list
Email address For as long as the subscriber chooses to remain on the list. Data subject's consent
Social media
To administer our social media accounts
Data made available by Facebook and Twitter users In accordance with Facebook's and Twitter's privacy policies Data subject's consent
Donations and purchases
Personal data on individuals making donations (whether one-off or recurring) and/or purchases is retained for six years following the date of their last donation to Statewatch. This is necessary should any legal claims arise in relation to those standing orders. The statutory limitation for making any such claim is six years.
Standing orders set up by Statewatch following provision of a standing order mandate Name
Address
Bank account number
Sort code
Bank address
As above and in accordance with CAF Bank or Santander privacy policy. Necessary to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract
Standing order mandates set up by the Friend of Statewatch/donor Name
Bank account number
As above and in accordance with CAF Bank or Santander privacy policy. Necessary to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract
Paypal Name
Address (optional)
Email address
As above and in accordance with Paypal privacy policy. Necessary to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract
Gift Aid Name
Address
As above and in accordance with HMRC Privacy Notice. Necessary to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract
Purchases (via Paypal) Name
Address
Email address
As above and in accordance with Paypal privacy policy. Necessary to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract
Communicating with other individuals and organisations Email address(es)
Name(s)
Phone number(s)
Address(es)
Photo(s)
Social media account(s)
Indefinitely, subject to regular review of necessity and right to object Data subject's consent (where they initiate contact with us)

Necessary for our legitimate interests, so that we can carry out our work/make enquiries/propose projects, etc (in the case of us initiating contact with another individual or organisation).
Events Email address
Name(s)
Financial information (whether an individual has made a payment and if so, how much)
Audio recordings (we will always ask for consent before recording events)
Financial information (for reimbursing expenses for speakers,e.g. travel/accommodation costs)
Other data, dependent on the policies of third-party providers
Attendee data: up to 3 months following the event (financial data provided to Paypal via Eventbrite in order to pay for or make a donation for an event will also be retained in accordance with Paypal's Privacy Policy)

Financial data for reimbursement: six years following date of reimbursement.

Other data: dependent on policies of third-party providers (we use Zoom to host online events)
Data subject's consent
Necessary to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract
Necessary for our legitimate interests, e.g. in promoting our work or publications, hosting discussions on topical issues
Library & Archive Name
Profession/occupation
Topic(s) of interest
Indefinitely, subject to a right to object Data subject's consent

Necessary for our legitimate interests, e.g. to analyse usage of the Library & Archive
Employment and volunteering Name(s)
Address(es)
Date of birth
Phone number(s)
Email address(es)
Other digital messaging service contact details (e.g. Skype, Yahoo! Messenger)
Nationality
Employment history
Education and training level and history
Language skills
Personal data provided by applicants in covering letters
Gender
Relationship status
Ethnicity
Disability/ies
Health condition(s)
Sexual orientation
Religion
Caring responsibilities
Other personal data
Proof of eligibility to work in the UK
National insurance number
Bank account details
Candidates not shortlisted for further consideration: up to 3 months following the closing date for applications

Candidates shortlisted for further consideration: up to six months following the date of interviews

Candidates invited for interview, but unsuccessful in their application: up to 6 months following the date of interview

Successful candidates: for the duration of their post (whether paid or voluntary) and indefinitely for archiving purposes following the end of their employment with Statewatch, subject to a right to object

Bank account details of unsuccessful applicants for employment and volunteering posts: for six years following payment, in the event of any legal claim arising (see ‘Donations and purchases’, above).
Data subject's consent

Necessary to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract

Necessary for our legitimate interests, e.g. to understand the qualities and qualifications of those wishing to work or volunteer for Statewatch
To undertake our research and journalistic work Email address(es)
Phone number(s)
Address(es)
Photo(s)
Nationality
Sex and gender
Other biographical data
Employment and professional activities
Educational level/activity
Religion
Racial or ethnic origin
Politics views or beliefs
Trade union membership
Other personal data
Indefinitely, subject to regular review of necessity Necessary for our legitimate interests, in order to achieve our charitable objectives
For administrative and organisational tasks (e.g. for purchasing goods and services; engaging with trusts, foundations and other organisations or institutions)

Email address(es)

Phone number(s)

Address(es)

Biographical data (e.g. names)

Employment and professional activities

Political views or beliefs

In relation to financial transactions, for six years following payment, in the event of any legal claim arising (see ‘Donations and purchases’, above)

Indefinitely, subject to regular review of necessity

Necessary for our legitimate interests, in order to achieve our charitable objectives

Data subject's consent

Necessary to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract

 

Website users

Our website (www.statewatch.org) does not use any cookies. Connections to the website are SSL-encrypted in order to protect data transmitted between the server and your computer (e.g. search terms).

The only personal data processed on those who access our website are IP addresses. IP addresses are held in the server logs. Those logs are retained on the server for three months and then automatically deleted. They are accessible to staff of The Phone Co-op, who provide our web hosting, for server administration and troubleshooting.

We use Matomo to monitor how our website is used, using tracking that does not use any cookies. This provides us with information on your:

  • IP addresses accessing the site and their country of location;
  • user agents (i.e. web browser, operating systems, browser language);
  • referrals;
  • pages visited and searches.

These statistics are only available to Statewatch staff. We may publish aggregate statistics, which do not contain any personally identifying information (i.e. IP addresses).

We may use third-party providers to embed multimedia content on our site, such as Vimeo or Soundcloud. Usage or viewing of that multimedia content takes places in accordance with those providers' respective policies and terms of use. The Soundcloud Privacy Policy is available here and the Vimeo Privacy Policy is available here.

Mailing list

The mailing list is provided for Statewatch by GreenNet and subscribers’ data is stored by them and processed in accordance with their Code of Practice. If you subscribe to our public mailing list, we will keep your email address for so long as you remain a subscriber. A limited number of staff members have administrative access to the list. You can unsubscribe from the list by sending an email from your registered email address to
statewatch-unsubscribe [at] gn.apc.org.

Social media

We use our Facebook and Twitter accounts to promote our work.

The Facebook page is administered by Facebook, in accordance with Facebook's Data Policy, and is accessible by Facebook users who have already consented to that policy. Our account is managed by a limited number of Statewatch staff. We do not export information on our followers from Facebook.

The Twitter account we use is administered by Twitter, in accordance with Twitter's Privacy Policy. The account is managed by a limited number of Statewatch staff. We do not export information on our followers from Twitter.

Donations and purchases

Personal data on individuals making donations (whether one-off or recurring) and/or purchases is retained for six years following the date of their last donation to Statewatch. This is necessary should any legal claims arise in relation to those standing orders. The statutory limitation for making any such claim is six years.

· Standing orders

If a donor provides us with a standing order mandate to process on their behalf (i.e. on paper), we process the following personal data:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Bank account number
  • Sort code
  • Bank address

Donor’s names will continue to appear on our statements every time we receive a donation from them.

Where a one-off or recurring donation via standing order is set up by the individual themselves, our statement shows the donor’s name along with the amount they have donated.

We hold accounts with CAF Bank and Santander. Personal data provided by donors to either account will be held in accordance with their respective privacy policies (CAF Bank, Santander). Something on copies held us by us

· Paypal

Where a one-off or recurring donation via Paypal is set up by the individual, we receive their name, address (optional) and email address. Data is held by Paypal in accordance with their privacy policy.

· Purchases

We use Paypal to process purchases (i.e. of publications or admission to events). To do so, we require the individual’s name, address and email address. Data is held by Paypal in accordance with their privacy policy.

· Gift Aid

The Gift Aid scheme allows Statewatch to claim back tax on donations from UK taxpayers, with the consent of the individual providing the donation. We do this by submitting an annual claim to Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HRMC). The declaration contains the name and address of the donor. HMRC process personal data in accordance with their Privacy Notice. You can find out more about the Gift Aid scheme here.

Communicating with other individuals and organisations

In order to carry out our work, we may process the personal data of other individuals and organisations, e.g. to respond to phone calls and emails received from the general public; to invite individuals to speak at events or meetings; or to enquire about services (e.g. graphic design, ICT provision, or other commercial arrangements).

Our email provider is The Phone Co-op. Any emails sent to an @statewatch.org address will be stored on The Phone Co-op’s servers in accordance with their Privacy Policy. Emails and attachments may also be downloaded onto staff computers, which are password-protected and located in a secure office.

Emails are retained indefinitely, with regular reviews of necessity and subject to a right to object.

Events

Statewatch occasionally hosts public events (such as meetings, workshops and conferences). For the purposes of managing attendance at those events, we may request that individuals register to attend, in which case we will process the following personal data:

  • Name
  • Email address

We may also charge admission or seek donations for such events. In such cases, we use Eventbrite and personal data submitted to that platform (name, email address and, in the case of admission fees, financial information) will be processed in accordance with the Eventbrite Privacy Policy and the privacy policy of Paypal, which provides our payment service for Eventbrite. When an individual either pays for admission or makes a donation in relation to attending an event, we will be informed of how much they have paid.

Data on event attendees will be retained for up to three months following the event, subject to a right to object.

We may also record events (either by audio alone or by audio and video) in order to publish the recordings online. If this is the case, we will only include the personal data of individuals (e.g. spoken word or images of them) that explicitly consent to participating in a recording that will be published online.

Audio recordings will be retained indefinitely, subject to a right to object.

When we reimburse speakers for travel and/or accommodation costs, we will take personal data (name/account number/sort code/SWIFT/BIC code, if applicable) in order to provide payment. As with other personal data that we process in relation to donations, that data will be retained for six years (see ‘Donations and purchases’, above).

For the purpose of hosting online events, we will use the services of third-party providers, namely Zoom. The personal data of attendees at online events we host on Zoom will be processed in accordance with their Privacy Statement.

Library & Archive

The Statewatch Library & Archive is open to the public. We ask visitors to register their name, profession/occupation, their interest in the Library & Archive and the date of their visit in our visitor book. Doing so is optional.

Where visitors do provide this information, it will be retained indefinitely for archiving purposes, subject to a right to object.

Employment and volunteering

  • Applications

Personal data we collect for job and volunteering applications is contained in CVs, covering letters, equal opportunities monitoring forms and in notes taken during interviews.

We request that individuals provide their CV in the Europass format, which contains the following data fields:

  • Name(s)
  • Address(es)
  • Date of birth
  • Phone number(s)
  • Email address(es)
  • Other digital messaging service contact details (e.g. Skype, Yahoo! Messenger)
  • Nationality
  • Employment history
  • Education and training level and history
  • Language skills

Applicants may also provide personal data to us in their covering letters (e.g. concerning their employment history or situation, their family situation, relevant personal experiences).

We ask all applicants to complete an equal opportunities monitoring form, although doing so is not obligatory. This contains the following data fields:

  • Gender
  • Relationship status
  • Ethnicity
  • Disability/ies
  • Health condition(s)
  • Sexual orientation
  • Religion
  • Caring responsibilities

Further personal data provided by prospective employees or volunteers may also be recorded by staff and trustees conducting interviews.

Successful candidates for employment will be required to provide further personal data:

  • Proof of eligibility to work in the UK
  • National insurance number
  • Bank account details

Successful candidates for volunteering will be required to provide further personal data:

  • Bank account details (for covering expenses)

Bank account details may be taken from unsuccessful candidates who are interviewed for both employment and volunteering, in order to cover expenses incurred for attending the interview.

Personal data provided during the job/volunteering application process will be stored for differing lengths of time, depending on the category into which the individual falls:

  • Candidates not shortlisted for further consideration: up to 3 months following the closing date for applications;
  • Candidates shortlisted for further consideration: up to six months following the date of interviews;
  • Candidates invited for interview, but unsuccessful in their application: up to 6 months following the date of interview;
  • Successful candidates: for the duration of their post (whether paid or voluntary) and indefinitely for archiving purposes following the end of their employment with Statewatch, subject to a right to object.
  • Bank account details of unsuccessful applicants for employment and volunteering posts: for six years following payment, in the event of any legal claim arising (see ‘Donations and purchases’, above).

Personal data provided during the job/volunteering application process will only be accessible to a limited number of staff/trustees and will be stored in a secure location. Aggregate data compiled from equal opportunities monitoring forms will be retained indefinitely, for archiving purposes.

Research and investigative work

We collect and process data in relation to the research and investigations we undertake for the purposes of our charitable objectives:

  • the advancement of education in the subject of civil rights and liberties of the individual in society, in particular but not exclusively by the promotion and undertaking of study and research and the dissemination of the useful results thereof;
  • to promote the sound administration and development of the law relating to the civil rights and liberties of the individual.

For example, in order to pursue enquiries, we may gather the names and contact details of employees of public and private organisations. Data may be provided by the individuals themselves, acquired from public sources, or received via third parties. We may also gather other data, including sensitive data, insofar as this is necessary for the purposes of our research and investigations, including: biographical information; employment details; educational history; financial information; photographs; information on racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, interests and beliefs, membership of trade unions or other private organisations, religious or philosophical beliefs, sex life or sexual orientation and information concerning the commission (or alleged commission) of any criminal offence, as well as any related proceedings and sentences.

Specific data protection policies and/or safeguards may be adopted with regard to research projects. Research participants will be informed of these policies and their rights.

Organisational and administrative tasks

We collect and process personal data for the purpose of running the organisation, e.g. in relation to providers of goods and services, or the staff of trusts and foundations that do or may provide funding to Statewatch. The personal data gathered in the course of these activities may include:

  • Email address(es)
  • Phone number(s)
  • Address(es)
  • Biographical data (e.g. names)
  • Employment and professional activities
  • Political views or beliefs

Data relating to financial transactions will be held for six years, although any personal data not required will be deleted before that date. Other personal data may be held indefinitely, subject to regular review of necessity.

Your rights

You have the following rights:

  • to be informed about our collection and use of your data;
  • to access your personal data;
  • to correct any inaccuracies in the data we hold on you;
  • to object to any particular use of your data;
  • to have your data deleted wholly or in part; and
  • to be notified of any data breach.

Your rights are subject to the exemptions and restrictions set out in the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

To exercise your rights, please contact office [at] statewatch.org.

Changes and updates

  • 16 February 2022: Registered addresses changed; section on the processing of personal data for organisational and administrative tasks added.
  • 11 September 2020: Updated to remove provisions on the use of Webalizer for web stats, and add provisions on the use of Matomo.
  • 2 July 2020: Updated to include provisions on the use of Zoom for hosting online events.
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