The European Parliament today approved a report on the controversial installation of security scanners at airports. The proposal, due soon from the Commission, will not be subjected to full legislative scrutiny as it is likely to be presented as a delegated act under a framework decision on aviation security. Parliament will therefore only be able to give consent or reject it.
"Since we cannot avoid the current installation of security scanners in certain Member States, the main question to agree upon is the conditions of their use, on which we will not make any concessions." said Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA (Partido Nacionalista Vasco, Spain) member of the Transport Committee, confirming ALDE's firm position: "Security scanners must not jeopardize our civil liberties and health. That is why their use must be regulated by common EU rules, to ensure discretion, and subjected to clear and stringent conditions eg. regarding exposure to x-rays. Passengers should have the choice to refuse to go through this check and be provided with alternative controls. "
Moreover, referring to last night's debate with the Commission on the liquid ban on aircrafts, Bilbao concluded: "We welcome the Commission's commitment to ensure that the liquid ban is lifted by the agreed date of 29 April 2013, despite the first deadline to achieve it having been missed. In fact, a gradual procedure, divided into 3 steps, should have started already on 29 April 2011, authorising duty free liquids in sealed bags to be taken on board aircraft".
Nathalie GRIESBECK (MoDem, France) said: "Security scanners raise problems of respect of privacy and fundamental rights, because they are sometimes very intrusive, hence perceived as undermining the dignity of individuals subject to such controls. Despite our opposition over a number of years, they are now a reality. However we will not accept the use of images but only stick figures, with an immediate deletion after the control."
"It is regrettable that this issue, so sensitive and close to citizens, is being proposed without Parliament's full involvement through co-decision. However, it is necessary that the Commission, which should return soon with a proposal, is well aware that if any of these guarantees are put in doubt, then we would firmly oppose the measures. Our vote should not be perceived by the European Commission as a blank cheque, but as a framework decision, a warning, a red line on what is acceptable to Parliament and citizens of the European Union." Griesbeck concluded.
