TNO, RAND and Israeli Counter-terrorism academy awarded €3 million EC “radicalisation and recruitment” contract
“SAFIRE” is a €3.6 million project funded under the European Security Research Programme, to which the EC is contributing €3 million. The project promises a “Scientific Approach to Fighting Radical Extremism” and has the goal of “improv[ing] fundamental understanding of radicalization processes and us[ing] this knowledge to develop principles to improve (the implementation) of interventions […]
NEWA New European WAtcher
Observing our borders from space NEWA adresses State of the Art in EU Technology and Techniques (T&T) useful for identifying and following moving objects by means of radar satellites, which could be used for smart border surveillance. The security of Europeans is increasingly dependent on space assets for enhanced border monitoring and effective law enforcement […]
Report on Military and Homeland Security relations between Spain and Israel
[neoconopticon.wordpress.com] Spanish NGOs Nova (Peace-building and active non-violence) and Centre d’Estudis per a la Pau, Justícia i Pau (Centre for Peace Studies, Justice and Peace) have published an 84 page report on military, homeland security and armaments-based relations between Spain and Israel. The report, written by Alejandro Pozo Marín, contains a critical section on the European Security Research […]
EU instrument for spying on ‚radicals‘ causes outrage
VALENTINA POP Civil rights watchdogs and MEPs have attacked new EU plans to gather data on people who voice or share "radical messages" in a bid to pre-empt terrorist attacks. [euobserver.com] Political activists labelled as "Extreme right/left, Islamist, nationalist or anti-globalisation" may in future find themselves under surveillance in line with a new, so-called, EU […]
Government under pressure to open US skies to unmanned drones despite safety concerns
Unmanned aircraft have proved their usefulness and reliability in the war zones of Afghanistan and Iraq. Now the pressure’s on to allow them in the skies over the United States. [chicagotribune.com] The Federal Aviation Administration has been asked to issue flying rights for a range of pilotless planes to carry out civilian and law-enforcement functions […]
Riot Police End Workers’ Protest at Durban Stadium
By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY DURBAN, South Africa — A World Cup Sunday that began at the soaring new arch of Durban Stadium ended in smoke and shrieks as police officers fired tear gas and what witnesses said were rubber bullets to break up a large group of protesting security guards. [blogs.nytimes.com] The altercation started shortly before […]
If CSIS comes knocking?
Since fall 2009 there have been ongoing visits by members of the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS) to social justice organizers and activists. These visits are in addition to CSIS‘ ongoing harassment of targeted communities. The People’s Commission Network released a community advisory in May in response to those visits.
London police could work with Navy at Olympics
Avril Ormsby London police may take advantage of the Royal Navy’s "niche capabilities" on the waterways to help them provide security during the 2012 Olympics, the police’s security chief said on Wednesday. [uk.reuters.com] Armed British police would be deployed in certain circumstances, but there are no plans to have any armed foreign police officers, Chris […]
Greek-Bulgarian police cooperation
A cross-border police cooperation agreement was signed in Sofia on Wednesday by visiting Greek Citizens‘ Protection Minister Mihalis Chryssohoidis and Bulgarian Interior Minister Cvetan Cvetanov. [ana-mpa.gr] The agreement is aimed at preventing public safety threats and combating cross-border organized crime through a framework of closer cooperation and information exchange. Speaking to reporters, Chrysohoidis characterized the […]
UK monitors suspected radicals as part of European surveillance project
Police keep tabs on activists from across the political spectrum, documents obtained by EU civil liberties NGO reveal [guardian.co.uk] The UK is taking part in a European surveillance programme which is designed to gather personal information about suspected "radicals" from across the political spectrum. Confidential documents reveal how an initiative to gather data on "radicalisation […]
Analysis of terrorist legislation, evolution and practices of penal agencies
[libertysecurity.org] The Spanish concept of terrorism has evolved in a quite particular meaning. The identification of ETA (Basque Liberation Army) as the internal enemy has concentrated the use of every antiterrorist law and criminal justice agencies addressed to call a halt its activities. A number of criminal and procedural rules, police and prison regulations have […]
Mounties shun ‘sound cannons’ in urban settings ahead of G20
As the Toronto Police showcase new summit gear, the RCMP reveals that it does not support the use of acoustic guns to control crowds Colin Freeze [theglobeandmail.com] As Toronto Police prepare to show off their new “sound cannons” at a Thursday news conference displaying gear for the G20 summit, the Mounties say they do not […]
Crossing Borders – Movements and Struggles of Migration
Transnational Newsletter, 8th Issue, June 2009 "No border lasts forever!" Thats the ambiguous title of a call recently published by the Network Welcome to Europe. The new call tries to interconnect the upcoming series of transnational mobilisations with a main common reference: the struggle against Frontex! Highlighting some main aspects of Frontex function and role […]
Surveillance Software Knows What a Camera Sees
Software offers a running commentary to ease video searching and analysis. By Tom Simonite See demonstration video [technologyreview.com] A prototype computer vision system can generate a live text description of what’s happening in a feed from a surveillance camera. Although not yet ready for commercial use, the system demonstrates how software could make it easier […]
Navy’s Drone Death Ray Takes Out Targets at Sea
By Nathan Hodge For years, the U.S. Navy has been pursuing a workable ray gun that could provide a leap ahead in ship self-defenses. Now, with a series of tests of a system called the Laser Weapon System, or LaWS), it may be one step closer to that goal. [wired.com] Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), […]
M.A.D.R.I.D. Report
From: Spanish, Belgian and Hungarian Presidencies To: Coreper/Council First main assessment and description report for internal debate (M.A.D.R.I.D. Report) [register.consilium.europa.eu] The adoption of an Internal Security Strategy (ISS) for the EU provides the basis for concerted action in the EU to tackle the main threats and risks the EU faces. The ISS assumes that effective […]
Europol General report 2009
Welcome to the first edition of the Europol Review – General Report on Europol Activities which presents an overview of Europol’s work in 2009. [register.consilium.europa.eu] 2009 was a symbolic year for Europol as the Agency celebrated its tenth anniversary. It was also one of the most productive years in Europol’s history. From its founding roots […]
The Justice and Home Affairs Council Luxembourg
Luxembourg, 3 & 4 June 2010 On Thursday, the Council is expected to discuss and adopt an European pact to combat international drug trafficking as well as a set of conclusions including: – on facilitating entry for citizens of the member states of the EU at external borders; – on the follow-up to the European […]
Finmeccanica denies ’slush fund‘ reports
‚Not served notice of legal action‘, defence giant says [ansa.it] Italy’s aeronautics and defence giant Finmeccanica on Friday denied press reports suggesting that it may have set up slush funds to land contracts. "Regarding today’s press reports, Finmeccanica categorically denies any involvement in setting up slush funds," a statement from the state-controlled group said. The […]
EU border agency says third fewer illegal immigrants spotted in past year
Economic problems in Europe and tougher naval patrols deterring job hunters, says Frontex [guardian.co.uk] The number of illegal immigrants entering Europe has fallen significantly over the past year, according to the EU’s border control agency, Frontex. A third fewer people were detected attempting to cross external land and sea borders of member states in 2009, […]