EU security research seeks respect of civil liberties

Europe needs to strike the right balance between enhancing security and preserving civil liberties, stressed politicians on the occasion of the third European conference to showcase concrete applications of security research for citizens.

“We must enhance security but we must also avoid ‘big brother is watching you’ solutions,” said Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen on 29 September, adding that the risk of terrorist attacks should not limit European citizens’ freedoms.

He acknowledged, however, that striking the right balance “remains challenging in a Europe with such historical diversity,” while “non-technological research work” was also necessary to achieve the equilibrium. 

The European Security Research and Innovation Forum (ESRIF), launched last year to support civil security policymaking with the appropriate technology and knowledge base, has also reached the same conclusion. Mid-term results after its first twelve months of activity, published this month, state that only “legitimate solutions enhance security while respecting fundamental rights and liberties”.  

Therefore, care must be taken “to ensure that our desire to enhance security does not itself erode those liberties which we seek to protect. A culture of fear would not improve European security,” noted Gijs de Vries, chairman of the ESRIF.

Discussions at the European Security Research Conference (SRC), taking place on 29-30 September, are focusing on security of citizens, protection of sensitive infrastructure, crisis management and border security. The event brings together a range of public and private security stakeholders, which might join forces for an EU research project in the field.

For the first time, security research has become an integral part of EU research policy. It features as an independent thematic research area in the EU’s Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7), for which some €1.4 billion has been earmarked for the period 2007-2013. 

Examples of projects eligible for funding under the European Security Research Programme include automated systems for real-time screening of baggage at airport checkpoints, passenger identification using biometric tools and advanced video surveillance in public stadium areas to reinforce security during major events.

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