This number of overweight is expected to continue to grow in the coming years
About 30 percent of primary school-age children in Europe are overweight or obese, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). The number of children who fall into either category is expected to continue to rise in the coming years.
The data were presented by the WHO Regional Office in Zagreb on the occasion of the announcement of a policy for the prevention of childhood obesity.
The WHO referred to the European Obesity Report 2022, which the organization published about a year ago. According to him, more than half of adults in Europe are overweight. Among boys between the ages of seven and nine, 29 per cent were overweight, for girls of the same age the percentage was 27.
People with a body mass index greater than 30 are defined as obese. Those with an index above 25 are defined as overweight.
The body mass index is determined based on height and kilograms.
On Wednesday, a declaration was adopted with recommendations to combat the increasing childhood obesity.
“Our children are growing up in an environment where it is extremely difficult to eat well and be active. This is at the root of the obesity epidemic,” said the Director of the WHO European Bureau, Hans Kluge. Governments and societies must act quickly to reverse the trends, he added. The Zagreb Declaration is an important first step towards combating the problem.
19-year-old Luunkiito attacked cattle and was speared by herders
A wild male lion, considered one of the oldest representatives of its species in the world, was killed by herders near Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya, the BBC reported.
Luunkiito, 19, was stabbed with spears after attacking cattle for food. Conservation group Lion Guardians said the slain lion was the oldest in the Kenyan ecosystem and possibly in all of Africa, as lions typically live around 13 years in the wild.
Kenya Wildlife Service spokesman Paul Jinaro told the BBC that Luunkiito was old and infirm and had probably left the national park to forage in the village.
Conservationists have called for stricter measures to protect Kenya’s wildlife and lion population.
“This is the tipping point for human-wildlife conflict and we must do more as a country to conserve lions that are facing extinction,” said Paula Kahumbu, conservationist and chief executive of WildlifeDirect.
The key takeaway from Google I/O 2023 is the fact that the internet search giant is rolling out a bunch of new AI-powered search functions – obviously, aiming to keep up with Microsoft.
Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc, has just introduced more artificial intelligence (AI) functions adapted for its primary search engine. Similar move from its main competitor Microsoft Corp with its Bing search engine attracted a lot of positive emotions from the user base, so this major upgrade was inevitable in order to maintain unimpacted market share.
The company unveiled a new iteration of its search engine, dubbed the Search Generative Experience, at Wednesday’s annual I/O conference in Mountain View, California.
This upgraded version of Google has the ability to generate responses to open-ended queries, while still displaying its well-known list of web links, which is also known under the traditional name of “10 blue links”.
During the event, Alphabet’s CEO Sundar Pichai announced that they are remaking their core products to use generative AI functions. This includes search, which will not have tools where users can interact with AI, Gmail, which can create draft messages according to user specifications, and Google Photos, which can edit images using some new advanced capabilities.
As a result, Alphabet’s shares were trading 4% higher on Wednesday, and have increased by 26% to this date.
When can we expect to see the newly upgraded Google Search?
U.S. consumers will soon have access to the Search Generative Experience, but via a wait list for the time being.
During this initial roll-out phase, Google will closely monitor the results, assessing the quality of the system’s responses, overall speed, and operational costs.
Google’s response to competition
Google has been exploring generative AI for some time now. In a certain sense, it was forced to rush these developments into the market, after the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This project sparked a new chapter of competition among potential rivals. Naturally, the market experts were anticipating this major search engine revamp.
Generative AI differs a lot from the ways we have been processing information utill now. It has the ability to create entirely new content, including text, images, and even software code, using user-provided queries.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT is now integrated into Bing search. This platform remains the standard for commercial generative AI. Meanwhile, Google’s aim is to maintain its $286 billion-worth online advertising market segment.
OCHA said that communities there had spent the day cleaning up, and counting the cost of the storm, categorized as Extremely Severe, when it smashed into Myanmar’s western states and regions on Sunday, with guests as strong as 250km per hour – continuing to lash some areas the day after, with heavy rain.
Authorities and humanitarian aid agencies had launched a massive evacuation plan before the storm crashed ashore north of Sittwe.
Humanitarian needs in Rakhine state and northwest Myanmar were already dire before the cyclone hit, with approximately six million people already in need of relief aid, according to OCHA, as a result of years of conflict and displacement.
Today, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya are living in temporary shelters where their movements are restricted by the military regime, which declared the whole of Rakhine a disaster area in the wake of Mocha.
First reports indicated that the worst of the cyclone spared the major Rohingya refugee camp complex of Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, which is home to nearly one million mostly Rohingya refugees, the majority of whom fled persecution and violence in Rakhine, beginning in the summer of 2017.
Much of Sittwe destroyed
But news reports indicated that although not as dire as predicted, there were still several killed in Myanmar, and hundreds of thousands of Rohingya left homeless.
OCHA said there was widespread destruction across Sittwe, with few houses left standing. Many of the flimsy bamboo longhouses in displacement camps were wrecked.
“Communications with teams on the ground are still limited but early reports suggest the damage is significant, particularly in Rakhine, and that needs across all communities will be high”, said the OCHA situation report on Monday.
“Extremely strong winds brought down power lines, uprooted trees, and damaged and destroyed houses. Storm surge knocked out bridges and inundated homes.”
Health, relief items, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene needs are already being reported, with the added deadly threat of landmines in the conflict-affected rural areas, having shifted during flooding.
Cyclone Mocha brought heavy rain and winds while crossing a Rohingya refugee camp in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh on May 14, 2023.
Cell towers damaged
Communications with partners on the ground was partially restored during the day but still remains limited after extensive damage to telecommunications towers, OCHA continued.
Water and power services have been badly interrupted all day with generators now the primary source of electricity for most people due to downed lines.
Humanitarian partners are working to start rapid needs assessments in the field on Tuesday, to confirm the magnitude of impact from the cyclone and the immediate assistance that is required.
Early reports have also started coming in of widespread flooding and needs in the northwest – an area that is also heavily conflict-affected.
A Rohingya refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar prepares for Cyclone Mocha.
Funding desperately needed
OCHA said an urgent injection of funds to assist recovery was “desperately needed to facilitate a full-scale response to the impact of the cyclone and subsequent flooding.” To date, the $764M Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) is only 10 per cent funded.
Some IDPs are still staying in cyclone shelters near displacement camps, with some reports of injuries and needs for medical treatment. Those staying in temporary shelters, such as schools, require assistance.
Movement is challenging and debris clearance is ongoing. Heavy traffic was reported during the day due to large numbers of people returning to their Sittwe homes from inland areas, combined with debris on the roads.
Rohingya shelters damaged
News reports suggest that around 3,000 Rohingya shelters were damaged during the passage of Mocha, with some completely destroyed. The country’s refugee commissioner’s reported damage to 32 learning centres, and 29 mosques.
In the refugee camps where there were 120 landslides reported, at least 5,300 refugees were reportedly relocated to more secure locations, while the Bangladeshi Government said around 250,000 were in need of food and shelter across the region overall by Sunday night.
Authorities in Bangladesh had evacuated some 750,000 people ahead of the storm.
Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said that it was “imperative that we explore all options to reach civilians”, stressing that all parties to the fighting must allow and facilitate the “rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief”.
“I urge the parties to strengthen facilitation efforts so we can reach all civilians in need”, he said.
He noted that many communities along Ukraine’s northeastern border with Russia and the frontline of fighting, were encircled, without access to water, food and medical care.
“Only last week in Kherson, residential buildings, a school, an outpatient hospital, and an elderly care facility were reportedly damaged, leaving scores of civilians needing shelter and healthcare. And missile strikes in Odesa hit a humanitarian storage warehouse. A Ukrainian Red Cross mobile hospital in Mykolaiv was also hit. Humanitarian supplies and vital medical equipment were destroyed.”
He said no staff or volunteers were injured but the threats persist. Civilians must not be target, he insisted, or the homes, schools, hospitals and buildings, where they live and work.
He stressed again, the need for a political solution, and importance of peace for Ukraine, with civilian casualties during Russia’s continued occupation of parts of the south and east, “rising to their highest levels in months.”
Over 20,000 dead or injured
The UN human rights office, OHCHR, “has now verified a staggering 23,600 civilian casualties since 24 February 2022; we all know the actual toll is likely to be much higher”, said Mr. Griffiths.
Despite the constant dangers, the “sheer bravery of humanitarian workers, particularly local workers”, for the UN and other NGOs, means life-saving assistance continues to be delivered nationwide.
He said nearly 3.6 million people received humanitarian assistance in Ukraine in the first quarter of 2023 with around 43 inter-agency convoys delivering food and vital supplies to some 278,000 people in frontline areas so far this year, “with local partners conducting last-mile delivery and distribution.”
But he said more is needed “to take our efforts to scale. The biggest challenge remains the impediments to reaching all areas in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia currently under the military control of the Russian Federation.”
Full access to these areas “continue to be explored through engagement with both parties.”
Martin Griffiths (on screen), Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefs the Security Council meeting on maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine.
‘Recommitment’ to Black Sea Initiative
Food exported under the Black Sea Initiative, together with food and fertilizer exports from Russia, continue to make a crucial contribution to global food security, he told ambassadors.
More than 30 million metric tons of cargo have now been safely exported from Ukrainian ports, of which over 55 per cent has gone to developing countries and close to six per cent, directly to Least Developed Countries.
This includes just under 600,000 metric tons of wheat transported by the World Food Programme (WFP), in direct support of humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Yemen.
Despite the progress and falling food prices since last summer’s highs, “much more remains to be done”.
“Predictable supplies for humanitarian food assistance operations continue to be required. The Initiative refers to the export of ammonia, but this has not yet been possible.
Over the past month, there’s been a major reduction in exports moving through Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, due to what the UN relief chief called “increasingly challenging dynamics” within the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC), run by Russia, Ukraine, the UN and Türkiye, “and a related slowdown in operations.”
He assured that intensive talks “to secure agreement on its extension and the improvements needed for it to operate effectively and predictably”, would continue in the next few days, with UN support continuing for the “Memorandum of Understanding on the facilitation of Russian food and fertilizer exports.”
“For the reasons I have set out, continuation of the Black Sea Initiative is critical, as is recommitment by the parties to its smooth and efficient operation. We call on all parties to meet their responsibilities in this regard.”
“The world is watching”, he underlined.
A war none can afford
He ended telling the Council it was clear that neither the people of Ukraine, or millions around the world who have suffered as a result of the economic chaos and supply chain issues, “can ill afford a continuation of this war.”
Mr. Griffiths called on Security Council member and all nations, to support all efforts to end “the carnage and destruction.”
“In the meantime, the United Nations and its humanitarian partners remain committed to safeguarding the life and dignity of persons affected by the war and to the pursuit of peace – today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes.”
Strasbourg – A Christian hybrid school provider based in Laichingen, Germany, is fighting the German state’s repressive educational system. After the first application in 2014, German authorities said that the Association for Decentralized Learning couldn’t give primary and secondary education, even though it met all of the state-mandated requirements and curricula. The Association’s school is based on a new and becoming more popular form of education that combines learning in school and at home.
On May 2, lawyers from ADF International, a human rights group, took the case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).
German hybrid school—innovative in-class and at home learning model—takes challenge to European Court of Human Rights after accreditation denied
Germany has one of the most restrictive educational systems worldwide; lower court cites lack of socialization for students
Dr. Felix Bollmann, the Director of European Advocacy for ADF International and the attorney who submitted the case with the ECtHR, stated the following:
“The right to education includes the right to embrace innovative approaches like hybrid schooling. By restricting this educational model, the state is violating the right of German citizens to pursue education that conforms with their convictions. When it comes to the requirement of physical presence, Germany has one of the most restrictive educational systems in the world. The fact that an innovative school based on Christian values has been denied recognition is a serious development worthy of scrutiny by the Court. The case brings to light the egregious issues with educational freedom in the country,”
The Association submitted its initial application for accreditation in 2014, but state educational authorities ignored it for three years. Due to the inaction, they filed a lawsuit in 2017, with the first court hearing not occurring until 2019, the appeal in 2021, and the third instance court in May 2022. In December 2022, the Supreme Court rejected the final domestic appeal..
Hybrid education, successful and popular, yet restricted
The Association for Decentralized Learning has effectively operated an independent hybrid school for the past nine years, combining in-class instruction with digital online lessons and independent study at home. The institution employs state-approved instructors and adheres to a predetermined curriculum. Students graduate using the same exams as those in public schools and sustain grade point averages above the national average.
Jonathan Erz, Head of the association for decentralized learning, stated:
“Children have a right to a first-class education. At our school, we can provide families with an education that meets their individual learning needs and allows students to flourish. It is our great hope that the Court will right this injustice and rule in favor of educational freedom, recognising that our school provide innovative and high-standard education through modern technology, individual student responsibility, and weekly attendance hours”.
The Association was unable to establish new institutions. Due to the hybrid nature of the school, the administrative courts acknowledged the satisfactory level of education but criticized the model on the grounds that students spend little time together during breaks and between sessions. According to domestic courts, this is a crucial educational component that hybrid institutions lack.
Germany’s educational restrictions violate international law and national law
Germany, with a ban on homeschooling and severe educational restrictions, is in violation of the right to educational freedom as enshrined in its own constitution and in international law. International law specifically recognizes the liberty of bodies, such as the Association, to establish and direct educational institutions without interference, subject to “the requirement that the education given in such institutions shall conform to such minimum standards as may be laid down by the State”. (International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Article 13.4)
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Article 13.3 says that governments are obliged to respect:
“the liberty of parents … to choose for their children schools, other than those established by the public authorities, which conform to such minimum educational standards as may be laid down or approved by the State and to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions”.
With regard to the law, Dr. Böllmann stated:
“It is established clearly in international law that parents are the first authority for the education of their children. What the German state is doing to undermine education is an overt violation of not only freedom of education, but also of parental rights. Moreover, distance learning during Covid-19 lockdowns demonstrates that a complete ban on independent and digitally supported learning is out of date”.
The German Basic Law (Article 7 of the Constitution) guarantees the right to establish private schools—however, the domestic courts’ interpretation render this right ineffective. ADF International lawyers argue that this, in turn, is a violation of the European Convention of Human Rights. “Time and again, the European Court of Human Rights has made it clear that the Convention rights must be practical and effective,” says the press statement of ADF International.
Characterized by a high turnout, Türkey’s elections were well-managed and offered voters a choice between genuine political alternatives, but with an unjustified advantage for the for politicians in power.
ANKARA, 15 May 2023, Continued restrictions on fundamental freedoms of assembly, association and expression hindered the participation of some opposition politicians and parties, as well as civil society and independent media, international observers said in a statement today.
The joint observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) found that the legal framework does not fully provide a basis for holding democratic elections.
“These were competitive but still limited elections, as the criminalization of some political forces, including the detention of several opposition politicians, prevented full political pluralism and impeded individuals’ rights to run in the elections,” said Michael Georg Link, Special Co-ordinator and leader of the short-term OSCE observer mission. “Political interference in the electoral process is not in line with Türkey’s international commitments.”
Almost 61 million voters were registered to vote in the country as well as 3.5 million abroad, in an election that took place against the background of this year’s devastating earthquakes. Some limited steps were taken by the authorities to enable those affected by the earthquakes to participate in the elections, but despite these and additional efforts by civil society and political parties, a high number of these voters faced difficulties in voting.
“Turkish democracy is proving to be amazingly resilient. This election had a high turnout and offered a real choice. However, Türkey does not fulfil the basic principles for holding a democratic election,” said Frank Schwabe, head of the PACE delegation. “Key political and social figures are in prison even after judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, media freedom is severely restricted and there is a climate of self-censorship. Türkey is a long way from creating fair election campaign conditions.”
The election administration organized the elections efficiently and generally enjoyed trust, although there was lack of transparency and communication in their work, as well as concerns over its independence. Voting day was mostly peaceful and smooth, despite a number of incidents in and around polling stations. While the process was generally well-organized, important safeguards, particularly during the counting, were not always implemented. Family and group voting were frequent, while the layout of half the polling stations observed made them inaccessible for people with disabilities.
The campaign was largely peaceful and competitive, but highly polarized and often negative and inflammatory in tone. A number of prosecutions as well as pressure on opposition politicians and parties, including ongoing proceedings to dissolve the second-largest opposition party, hampered their participation in the elections. While the constitution guarantees the equality of women and men, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions and generally in politics, and greater efforts are needed from the authorities and political parties in this area.
“Despite the promising opportunity for choice presented in these elections, there were significant challenges for citizens to exercise the right to vote, and unfortunately, women were underrepresented as candidates,” said Farah Karimi, head of the OSCE PA delegation. “Hundreds of thousands of individuals, people affected by the earthquakes and particularly students, had to make significant additional efforts to exercise their right to vote.”
The misuse of public resources in some cases as well as announcements of significant social benefit programmes provided undue advantage to those in power, and blurred the line between party and state. There were numerous cases of officials campaigning during the inaugurations of large-scale infrastructure projects, while the current president often campaigned while performing his official duties.
The freedom of expression and the media, although protected by the constitution, are limited by a number of laws. The recent criminalization of disseminating false information, the fact that websites are frequently blocked and online content removed, and the ongoing arrests and prosecutions of journalists further weakened freedom of expression. During the campaign, the ruling parties and their candidates were clearly favoured by the majority of national TV stations, including the public broadcaster, despite its constitutional obligation to remain impartial.
“Voters had a genuine choice to make on election day, and the high turnout was a good illustration of the democratic spirit of the people of Türkey,” said Ambassador Jan Petersen, who heads the ODIHR election observation mission. “However, I regret to note that the election administration’s work was lacking in transparency, as well as the overwhelming bias of the public media and the limitations to freedom of speech.”
The international election observation to the general elections in Türkey totalled 401 observers from 40 countries, made up of 264 ODIHR-deployed experts, long-term, and short-term observers, 98 from the OSCE PA, and 39 from PACE.
The driver must have freedom of movement of the hands
A fine of 100 Euros and suspension of the driver’s license for 30 days can be imposed if the traffic officer considers that the gesture of opening a water bottle or the absence of a hand on the wheel could distract the driver of the vehicle.
According to the Road Traffic Code in Greece, there is a possibility of a fine of 100 euros for drinking water while driving only under certain circumstances, the “Trud” correspondent reported.
In fact, Article 13 of the Road Traffic Code states that the driver of a car must ensure that he has full freedom of movement of his hands, so that he can freely perform any maneuvers necessary to drive safely on the road.
Hydration is essential, especially now that the temperature is rising, but it can also lead to a fine if we decide to drink water while driving.
Driving is a process that requires our full attention and dedication, as there are many external stimuli that can cause us to “lose” our attention from the road, with all that entails.
The final of the great musical contest was played between Sweden, Finland and Israel.
The Eurovision 2023 contest offered very good performances during its 67th edition which took place this year in Liverpool. A nearly perfect vocal level for all the candidates and pictures taken by the BBC.
The Swedish singer Loreen, who had already won the Eurovision in 2012, and favourite of the contest, won the final Saturday night in Liverpool. She beat Finland, who thought for a while that they could win, and Israel, who was very well placed throughout the evening.
Finland was among the favourites. The rapper Käärijä excited the audience with his Cha Cha Cha with techno rhythms and an original fluorescent outfit. The public followed by singing along with the artist “Cha Cha Cha”.
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) May 13, 2023
While we had the broadcast of a music video highlighting the winners of last year, the Ukrainian Kalush Orchestra, we could attend some piano notes played by Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. which excited the room in Liverpool.
France, represented by the Quebecer La Zarra, arrived in 16th place, a disappointment, heightened by a finger of honour of the singer at the time of the announcement of the results of the juries – she speaks of a “cultural” misunderstanding.
The LGBT flag for the Italian candidate To introduce all the candidates at the beginning of the show, each candidate was invited to enter the stage with the flag of his country for which he was going to sing.
Marco Mengoni on his side wanted to show the flag of the LGBT community next to the Italian flag. A choice that he assumed later on his Twitter account by writing in a message two lives, two flags, in reference to the title of his song Due Vite (two lives in Italian).
Eurovision without crazy candidates would not be this song contest so appreciated. We had in particular the gothic rockers of Lord of the Lost, representing Germany.
The mystical side of the Moldavian Pasha Parfeni also made its mark.
But the performance at the end of Let 3 for Croatia was the winner. With this song, which was meant to be a satire of dictators, the group ended up in their underwear on stage in an offbeat show.
Then you also had other modernized classical, who could have also won, like Spain, with an EAEA pop/Arabic/flamenco, sung by Blanca Paloma.
EP spyware inquiry committee has adopted its final report and recommendations, condemning spyware abuses in several EU member states and setting out a way forward.
On Monday evening, the European Parliament’s Committee of Inquiry to investigate the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware (PEGA) adopted its final report and recommendations following a year-long inquiry into the abuse of spyware in the EU. MEPs condemn spyware abuses that aim to intimidate political opposition, silence critical media and manipulate elections. They note that EU governance structures cannot effectively deal with such attacks and say reforms are needed.
Systemic issues in Poland and Hungary
MEPs condemn major violations of EU law in Poland and Hungary, where the respective governments have dismantled independent oversight mechanisms. For Hungary, MEPs argue that the use of spyware has been “part of a calculated and strategic campaign to destroy media freedom and freedom of expression by the government.” In Poland, the use of Pegasus has been part of “a system for the surveillance of the opposition and critics of the government — designed to keep the ruling majority and the government in power”.
To remedy the situation, MEPs call on Hungary and Poland to comply with European Court of Human Rights judgements and restore judicial independence and oversight bodies. They should also ensure independent and specific judicial authorisation before the deployment of spyware and judicial review afterwards, launch credible investigations into abuse cases, and ensure citizens have access to proper legal redress.
On Greece, MEPs say spyware use “does not seem to be part of an integral authoritarian strategy, but rather a tool used on an ad hoc basis for political and financial gains”. Even though Greece has “a fairly robust legal framework in principle”, legislative amendments have weakened safeguards. As a result, spyware has been used against journalists, politicians and businesspersons, and exported to countries with poor human rights records.
MEPs call on the government to “urgently restore and strengthen the institutional and legal safeguards”, repeal export licences that are not in line with EU export control legislation, and respect the independence of the Hellenic Authority for Communication Security and Privacy (ADAE). They also note Cyprus has played a major role as an export hub for spyware, and should repeal all export licences it has issued that are not in line with EU legislation.
On Spain, MEPs found that the country “has an independent justice system with sufficient safeguards”, but some questions on spyware use remain. Noting that the government is already working to address shortcomings, MEPs call on authorities to ensure “full, fair and effective” investigations, especially into the 47 cases where it is unclear who authorised the deployment of spyware, and to make sure targets have real legal remedies.
Stronger regulation needed to prevent abuse
To stop illicit spyware practices immediately, MEPs consider spyware should only be used in member states where allegations of spyware abuse have been thoroughly investigated, national legislation is in line with recommendations of the Venice Commission and EU Court of Justice and European Court of Human Rights case law, Europol is involved in investigations, and export licences not in line with export control rules have been repealed. By December 2023, the Commission should assess whether these conditions have been fulfilled in a public report.
MEPs want EU rules on the use of spyware by law enforcement, which should only be authorised in exceptional cases for a pre-defined purpose and a limited time. They argue that data falling under lawyer-client privilege or belonging to politicians, doctors or the media should be shielded from surveillance, unless there is evidence of criminal activity. MEPs also propose mandatory notifications for targeted people and for non-targeted people whose data was accessed as part of someone else’s surveillance, independent oversight after it has happened, meaningful legal remedies for targets, and standards for the admissibility of evidence collected using spyware.
MEPs also call for a common legal definition of the use of national security as grounds for surveillance, in order to prevent attempts to justify manifest abuses.
EU Tech Lab and a boost to vulnerability research
To help uncover illicit surveillance, MEPs propose the creation of an EU Tech Lab, an independent research institute with powers to investigate surveillance, provide legal and technological support including device screening, and perform forensic research. They also want new laws to regulate the discovery, sharing, resolution and exploitation of vulnerabilities.
Foreign policy dimension
On third countries and the EU’s foreign policy instruments, MEPs would like to see an in-depth investigation of spyware export licences, stronger enforcement of the EU’s export control rules, a joint EU-US spyware strategy, talks with Israel and other third countries to establish rules on spyware marketing and exportation, and ensuring EU development aid does not support acquisition and use of spyware.
Quotes
After the vote, Committee Chair Jeroen Lenaers (EPP, NL) said: “Our inquiry has made it clear that spyware has been used to violate fundamental rights and endanger democracy in several EU member states, Poland and Hungary being the most blatant cases. Spyware use must always be proportionate and authorised by an independent judiciary, which unfortunately is not the case in some parts of Europe. Stricter EU-level scrutiny is needed to ensure that spyware use is the exception, to investigate serious crimes, and not the norm. Because we acknowledge that it can – when used in a controlled manner – be an important tool to combat crimes like terrorism. Our committee has formulated a wide range of proposals to regulate the use of spyware, while respecting national security competences. Now the Commission and member states should do their part and transpose our recommendations into concrete legislation to protect the rights of citizens.”
Rapporteur Sophie In ‘t Veld (Renew, NL) added: “Today, the committee of inquiry concludes its work. This does not mean that the work of this Parliament is finished. Not one victim of spyware abuse has been awarded justice. Not one government has really been held accountable. The member states and the European Commission should not sleep easy, because I intend to keep on this case until justice is being done. The unimpeded use of commercial spyware without proper judicial oversight poses a threat to European democracy, as long as there is no accountability. Digital tools have empowered us all in various ways, but they have made governments far more powerful. We have to close that gap.”
Procedure and next steps
MEPs adopted a report, detailing the findings of the inquiry, with 30 votes in favour, 3 against, and 4 abstaining, and a text outlining recommendations for the future with 30 votes in favour, 5 against, and 2 abstaining. The latter text is expected to be voted by the full Parliament during the plenary session starting 12 June.
