EU:The European Commission yesterday proposed storing personal data on air passengers travelling in and out of the EU for up to 13 years as well as criminalising those who promote terrorism as part of a series of measures to bolster the EU's internal security.
Under the plans, "public provocation" to commit a terrorist offence as well as recruitment and training for terrorism - such as bomb-making manuals - will become a criminal offence. These acts will also be punishable when committed through the internet.
The commission proposal foresees an explosives database as such "devices remain the most used means of terrorist attacks and were responsible for the vast majority of victims of terrorist attacks over the last 50 years" and the establishment of an EU-wide rapid alert system for when explosives are lost or stolen.
Justifying the far-reaching measures, which have to be unanimously approved by all member states, EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini said that protecting security is a "fundamental right" pointing out that in 2006 alone, 11 countries were targeted by terrorists, there were 80 terrorist plots and 380 terrorist cells were under investigation.
"The large majority are Islamist-related terrorist plots," noted the commissioner, adding: "the time has come to deal with the security of our citizens". The proposal on storing the data of those flying to and from the EU is set to cause the most controversy on civil liberty grounds.
The commission is suggesting that information such as e-mail addresses, payment details and telephone numbers be handed over by airlines to national authorities ahead of flights in an attempt to filter out possible terrorists.
These passenger profile details, which would also include where the ticket was bought and by whom, will be used to carry out "a risk assessment of the threat level of unknown passengers . . . well in advance of a flight's arrival". The data is to be kept on file for an initial five years, and then will be kept in a "dormant" but accessible database for a further eight years before it is required to be deleted.
Sensitive information revealing sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs as well as race is not to be kept.
Intra-EU flights will not fall under the measures which are a response to a series of security threats, including the July 2005 bomb attacks in London and the Madrid train bombings in 2004.
The EU's system mirrors a US system, which also requires 19 pieces of personal information from European flights.
Anticipating criticism, Mr Frattini said that MEPs, who under EU law only have a right to be consulted, will be given a "reinforced" role as it goes through the Brussels legislative pipeline.
But Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins said the EU "must be careful not to impinge on personal liberties", while UK civil rights group Statewatch said this "mountain upon mountain of data" could eventually make the EU "the most surveilled place in the world".