The existing system, the SIS, enables enforcement agencies
throughout Europe to have access to a database of reports on
individuals and objects, such as cars, for border control purposes,
internal police checks and in some cases for the purpose of issuing
visas, residence permits and dealing with those whom the system
defines as aliens.
It also allows citizens from participating Member States to
travel throughout the Schengen area without being subjected to
checks at internal borders.
The SIS became operational in seven countries in 1995 and now
covers 13 of the original 15 Member States, plus Norway and
Iceland. The UK and Ireland are only partially involved, and
Switzerland is due to hold a referendum on Sunday to decide whether
or not to join the system.
The expansion of the EU last year means that the demands on the
SIS are likely to increase. Political changes, particularly in the
wake of 9/11 and the Madrid bombings, have led to a greater demand
for information exchange between nations, while advances in
technology have meant that biometrics can now be used for
identification purposes.
So an updated system has been developed.
Yesterday the Commission put forward three measures – two
Regulations and a Decision – to implement the scheme and establish
a legal framework for its use.
This framework, says the Commission, will provide increased
transparency on all SIS II activities and will also reinforce the
rights of individuals providing a comprehensive set of safeguards.
Finally, the proposals will allow a proper democratic debate
involving all EU institutions in the conception of the SIS II.
The system has not been universally welcomed. Civil liberties
groups fear that it is yet another example of the growing
surveillance society. In April, a new pressure group, the
International Campaign Against Mass Surveillance (ICAMS), published
a report highlighting SIS II as one of 10 signposts that show how
far down the road towards a global surveillance infrastructure we
have already travelled.
