European Parliament rejects governments' attempts on passenger data

1.38.57pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 4th May 2004

The European Parliament has rejected an attempt by EU governments to force it to vote on an agreement with the US which would legally oblige airlines to supply intrusive personal details on transatlantic air passengers.

There was a demonstration yet again of how the 66-strong European Liberal Democrat (ELDR) group - which is leading on this issue - wields the key 'swing' vote in the European Parliament. The EP voted 343 to 301 against a request from the Council of Ministers to vote urgently on the matter.

Two weeks ago the Parliament accepted the advice of Dutch Liberal 'rapporteur' Johanna Boogerd-Quaak to refer the agreement for the opinion of the European Court of Justice for compatibility with European data protection laws, which national privacy watchdogs say are breached.

ELDR group justice spokeswoman Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP commented:

"EU governments are using every trick in the book to get our blessing on the agreement, at Washington's behest, but I'm glad a solid majority led by the Liberal Democrat group has shown firmness in resisting pressure."

"It is crucial, given the apparent breach of EU privacy law, that we respect the Court which has been asked to clarify the situation. It is regrettable that the Council is trying to ride roughshod over the other institutions just as it is riding roughshod over fundamental rights and civil liberties."

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European Parliament rejects governments' attempts on passenger data

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