After Paris, Copenhagen, Europe is once again the victim of terrorist attacks in Europe. How to combat these threats while safeguarding fundamental freedoms in Europe?
Strasbourg direction with an exclusive report to the operations center of the Schengen information system. You will see how controls police forces exist in the area of free movement. This is also where are stored and analyzed data on foreign fighters, often Europeans, who will fight in Syria or Iraq and returning to Europe with more extreme views.
Rarely a camera was allowed into this ultra-secure location.
We are in the operational center of the information system of the Schengen area in Strasbourg.
It is here that analyzes the data exchanged between police in the area of free movement of persons. If borders have become invisible, they are none the less controlled. This system information is shared by 28 countries of the Schengen area, most of the Member States of the EU, over four countries: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
The center is open 24/24 hours. In this room, we verify that trade between Member States and the database right. Work "After the attacks in Paris, we have intensified monitoring to ensure that our systems are accessible to all member states in Europe "said
Stephan Brandes, Head of Unit, EU LISA.
Data collection is growing rapidly, about 57 million today is 7 million more than in 2013. Each time, the Member States exchange or update 4000 data. They are the co-operation between police fruit, customs and justice. Thus we find data about looking for people who have committed crimes, missing children or cars and stolen weapons. "If a stolen car is reported today in a country belonging to the Schengen information system, the Information is available in the whole territory 5 minutes after "Kirch said Bernard, Head of Operation Department, EU LISA.
This exchange of information system he really helped to combat crime in Europe? "Looking at 2013 statistics, we know that 80,000 people, or objects have been arrests or identifications through this system. "adds Bernard Kirch.
After the terrorist attacks in Paris, member states are considering to introduce systematic checks on European citizens who enter through the external borders of the Schengen area. Extra work from a technical point of view that these men are willing to take.
Experts agree on one point: beyond the technical structures, improve the effectiveness of controls in the Schengen area depends on the willingness of member states to exchange information on persons and objects sought.
The Spaniard Sergio Carrera, a researcher at the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels and a specialist in terrorism issues, answers questions from euronews.
Margherira Sforza euronews
Increased surveillance is one of the police response.
In Belgium, for example, it has dismantled terrorist cells before they take action. But is that an answer when it comes to individual terrorists, lone wolves, as is the case in Copenhagen?
Sergio Carrera, Centre for European Policy Studies
The European Union could support Member States saying with less means more! Less data is strengthen the law, astronomical amounts of information about each person are useless. The police and intelligence services need accurate data, quality data that meet the standards of evidence or criminal proceedings.
euronews
What could be the difference with the data we have today? What could be more specific?
Sergio Carrera
Instead of focusing on risk groups or establish profiles of suspects who have committed no crime, police need evidence, evidence that a number of individuals have committed a crime or have criminal activity.
euronews
If we need evidence, we shall be able to prevent an action?
Sergio Carrera
Absolutely! Because these people would be followed, instead of mass surveillance. And would facilitate the way resources are used.
euronews
Last question on a proposal of the Liberals in the European Parliament and of the head of the Italian government, a European intelligence service, is a realistic proposition?
Sergio Carrera
But do we need a European intelligence service?
Intelligence services are a national competence, they remain largely national.
However, there are links between the work of the secret services and police authorities in the fight against terrorism. In this case, the European Union shall have competence. Brussels can play a role and say we need reliable information and best standards.
Our common principles should not be negotiable: a democratic rule of law and human rights should not be negotiable in the fight against terrorism.
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