Nine Members of the European Parliament launched their campaign for global Internet freedom on Facebook today. This Facebook campaign is against the censorship of the Internet in support of the protection of online freedom worldwide. The main aim is to raise awareness that around the world countries are tightening their control over the Internet.
The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) is organising the first European Civil Liberties Day on April 15th in the European Parliament.
We intend to launch a declaration constituting a European Civil Liberties Movement (ECLM) similar to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
While we have a lot of active NGOs and civil society groups in this particular field in EU Member States there is no existing platform at the European Level. We aim to gather at least 20 organisations working in different fields, e.g. freedom of speech, data protection, transparency, asylum, gender equality etc. to achieve this ambitious task.
You and your organisation are invited to attend the first European Civil Liberties Day. The main events take place between 14:30 and 16:00 in the open space of the Forum Bar, ASP, 3rd floor, European Parliament, Brussels.
To attend please register by contacting
Latifa Afafe by 3 April.
16/03/2009 - Time to acknowledge that the safety and security of our citizens is a
European responsibility.
Opportunities Unlimited
Freedom, democracy and the rule of law are at the core of the European project. Especially when the
civil liberties are under pressure, as we have seen since recent years, we must protect and defend
these rights.
8 years on from 9/11, the fight against terrorism is pitting our shared values very severely to the
test. The ‘war on terrorism’ is constantly invoked to justify a drastic curtailment of civil
liberties and privacy, the limitation of democratic checks and balances and judicial review, a
weakening of the rule of law and of international treaties, and infringements of human rights.
However, in a democracy it is unacceptable to suspend the democratic machinery. The time has come to
close this gap in Europe. After more than fifty years it is time to acknowledge that the safety and
security of our citizens is a European responsibility. We must have a proper European policy,
subject to democratic scrutiny by the European Parliament. A capable Europe that speaks with a
single voice, is a full partner of the US, and can defend the rights of its citizens. But most
importantly; in a democratic process the citizen can defend himself against the authorities. Making
security a European remit will not weaken the position of the citizen, but strengthen it.
16/03/2009 - Freedom and security in a better society.
Freedom through the rule of law.
Freedom through the rule of law is the best way towards security, less crime, and a better society.
An example of policy which increases criminality instead of lowering it, is the war against drugs,
especially in Afghanistan. European Liberals came out with a resolution and we proposed to use the
opium cultivated in this country to make anti-pain treatments.
This is why ALDE believes that a respect of freedom through the rule of law is the best way to also
achieve a more secure society.
16/03/2009 - The European Union and its global responsibilities with external
borders.
Civil liberties and border management, asylum and migration
In the LIBE Committee right now I am dealing in particular with border management, asylum and
migration.
We have a European Union without internal borders, so we have a huge responsibility towards the
external borders.
ALDE has always been striving for a comprehensive, human and coherent approach towards migration. As
the issues of asylum, legal and irregular migration are closely linked, it is of crucial importance
to work on these policies in parallel.
Over the past few years too much emphasis was put on the fight against irregular migration, thereby
drifting away from global responsibilities. The problem and challenges stemming from the influx of
irregular migrants are perfectly understood by ALDE. However, inhuman circumstances and/or actions
contrary to relevant treaties can never be justified by whatever reason.
16/03/2009 - ALDE wants to recruit you in the fight for Civil Liberties.
ALDE's priorities for civil liberties.
Dear friend,
"I came to recruit you", was Harvey Milk's motto to encourage individuals to fight for their rights.
In the same way, Liberals and Democrats for Europe want to recruit you in the fight to ensure that human rights are respected, to protect fundamental freedoms, to preserve civil liberties - that are at the basis of our democracies in the European Union.
The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats, created to join together Europe’s liberal and democratic forces in the European Parliament, has as one of its priorities the fight for civil liberties.
Liberals and Democrats are as you know forward-thinking politicians who keep a cool head in difficult situations and who continue to steer their political direction clearly on course. We have launched in many European States key reforms to boost individual freedoms and rights - or we have resisted and opposed illegitimate State intrusions in your personal sphere of individual choice.
10/03/2009 - European Court of Justice supports the battle begun by ALDE.
Ignasi Guardans (CiU, Spain)
"Security measures on airplanes; the European Court of Justice proves ALDE right"
The European Court of Justice, in a judgement delivered today, supports the battle begun by the
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, against the methods of application of EU law in
relation to air safety.
"This fully confirms all our criticism against European regulations which have not been published
and which impose constraining measures on citizens, by preventing them to exert their rights of
recourse in the case of abusive application", commented Ignasi Guardans (CiU, Spain) one of the MEPs
most active in the political action against this practice by the European Commission.
14/01/2009 - The European Parliament steps forward towards active transparency.
Diana WALLIS (LibDems/UK)
Marco CAPPATO MEP (Radicals, Italy)
ALDE leads Parliament to more transparency in public access to documents and decisions
"With this vote, the European Parliament makes a step forward to lead the democratic battle for
active transparency", said Marco CAPPATO MEP (Radicals, Italy) following the adoption of his report
on of the public access to documents of the European Institutions today in Strasbourg.
Speaking after the vote in plenary on the Cappato report, Euro MP and EP Vice-President in charge of
Transparency Diana WALLIS (LibDems/UK) added:
"Making such public information more accessible is a modest step for the Parliament to take, but it
is an important one, particularly ahead of the next elections in June. Citizens need to have the
tools to keep their elected representatives to account."
10/12/2008 - ALDE launches civil liberties campaign
Alexander Alvaro (FDP, Germany)
"As Liberals and Democrats in Europe we believe that security is the guardian of liberty"
"Governments are collecting more and more data from its citizens." explains Alexander Alvaro
(FDP, Germany), initiator of the campaign and ALDE-coordinator on Civil Liberties.
"As Liberals and Democrats in Europe we believe that security is the guardian of liberty. With this
campaign we want to make European citizens aware of the dangers of governments behaving like Big
Brother."
10/12/08 - Grandson of former U.S. President Roosevelt gives an insight on the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights
Video interview with David Roosevelt
[Streaming version]
Video interview of David Roosevelt on the ALDE Seminar in the framework of the campaign
"Preserving Civil Liberties".
Mr. David Roosevelt, grandson of former U.S. President Roosevelt gave guests an insight on the
history of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the European Parliament.
His grandmother was the person behind the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights so
we are honoured that he was so kind to give ALDE a brief interview on CIVILIBERTIES
Interview by: Sylwia Remiszewska
MEP's Concerned: Alexander Alvaro, Sophia In 'T Veld
Making the case for a proper balance between security and liberty.
As Liberals and Democrats in Europe we believe that security is the guardian of liberty.
Because without effective security the proper enjoyment of liberty is impossible.
Combating terrorism and organised crime, of course, requires constant vigilance and tireless
determination. Meanwhile, we are increasingly concerned to see our liberties under threat in the
interests of security, which is often illusory.
Are the restrictions on what is judged safe to be carried in airline hand baggage any more than
cosmetic?
But if you've done nothing wrong, they say then you have nothing to fear.
Revised European Security Strategy - Making it work
All measures to encroach on our freedoms are currently justified with the argument that they
promote citizens' security. Liberals and Democrats doubt this is fully justified and during the
seminar the following questions could be raised:
How can citizens protect their personal data against possible mistreatment by the state or
malpractice?
Do we actually gain more security through the measures taken by governments?
How much do government measures respect human rights and what do governments do to protect human
rights?
How can the rights of those be protected who seek asylum and help in the European Union?
The European Parliament is currently discussing the e-privacy directive, but constantly
developing technologies will continue to confront users and companies with with new privacy
issues.
The aim of this seminar is to take stock of the privacy challenges that we are currently facing,
and explore the best ways to secure privacy in the use of new technology without harming innovation.
A simulation of a hacker attack will show the technical possibility of compromising personal data on
the Internet.
The challenges related to the enhacement of privacy will be discussed with a focus on questions
such as the possible need for new legislation; the need for enhanced citizen/consumer awareness; and
whether there should be greater company responsibility.
150ml unsafe on board. But exactly why isn't clear.
Why is one of these bottles safe for you to carry on board your flight and the other not? Who
can tell?
And how? It might surprise you to know that there appears to be no convincing answer to any of
thesequestions.
The measure, introduced without scrutiny or debate, is essentially cosmetic. Intended to reassure
you but ineffective in making you safer. An opinion shared by many aviation experts and a majority
of MEPs.
As Liberals and Democrats in Europe we agree that combating terrorism requires vigilance and
determination.
But we also believe that security is the guardian of liberty. And that it is our duty to hold those
who take political responsibility for our safety accountable for the evidence that justifies their
actions.
The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats feels that the time has come to launch a campaign
highlighting the value of civil liberties for the European Union and raising awareness about
possible infringements of fundamental rights such as the freedom of speech, the right to privacy or
the right to transparent lawmaking.
Download "Keeping the balance - Liberals and Democrats for civil liberties"
