EU anti-terrorism policy need a reality check

12.50.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 4th Sep 2007

Commenting ahead of a debate in the European Parliament on Wednesday when MEPs will question the Council and Commission about EU counter-terrorism strategy, London Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford said:

"In 2006 according to Europol, an astonishing 498 terrorist attacks were carried out in the EU, with France, Spain and the UK most severely affected. But despite lots of proposals and initiatives, the practical level of EU cooperation is inadequate. EU ministers pass laws which they then fail to implement."

"There is also a worryingly cavalier attitude to infringements on individual civil liberties and especially on data privacy. EU governments have simply rolled over in the face of security measures adopted by the US but which directly trample on the rights of EU citizens."

"The EU's terrorism measures have been too shrouded in secrecy and before we trade even more liberty for alleged security, there needs to be an open debate within society. A review of effectiveness - a reality check on EU action - in which national parliaments as well as MEPs must be fully involved, is essential."