Overview -- the Dangers of International Co-Operation 09/08/2004
We often assume that policy and laws are the outcome of national deliberation. As we have seen with other domains such as intellectual property and trade, policies that influence privacy and civil liberties are increasingly resulting from international policy dynamics. This section presents a number of these policy mechanisms used to take advantage of international dimensions of our current environment. These mechanisms include policy laundering, modeling, and forum shifting. Using these mechanisms, policies are being developed outside of national deliberative fora and then adopted locally in the interests of national governments.

Background Information

Backgrounder on the Arar Case on Canadian Rendition from the U.S. to Syria 19/04/2006
This mini report outlines the dynamics in the case of Maher Arar, a Canadian citizen who was stopped on a return flight to Canada via the U.S., and then sent to Syria where he was allegedly tortured for almost a year until the Syrians returned him to Canada. This report looks at the the case in detail and notes the lack of due process and protections in the creation of watchlists and the sharing of intelligence across borders.

About the Financial Action Task Force 07/12/2005
The Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) was established by a G-7 Summit held in Paris in 1989, with the cooperation of the European Commission and eight other countries.

About the Carribean Financial Action Task Force 06/12/2005
The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force is one of the more proactive regional financial action task forces and has developed its own set of recommendations aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

About the Eastern and South African Anti-Money Laundering Group 05/12/2005
The Eastern and South African Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) comprises fourteen countries from the eastern region of Africa down to the southern tip.

About the Middle East and North African Financial Action Task Force 04/12/2005
Formed in November 2004, the Middle East and North African Financial Action Task Force is very much a nascent body. The organisation's aim is to ensure compliance across the member countries with the FATF Recommendations.

Background on Policy Laundering 08/04/2005
This primer on policy laundering discusses the dangers of international co-operation in policy-making, and the challenges to the protection of civil liberties.

Background on Biometric Passports 30/03/2004
In an effort to 'secure' passport and visa documentation, biometric passports are being promoted by the UN-level International Civil Aviation Organization. This initiative was led by the U.S., and is leading to national biometric databases, national ID cards, and the international trade in our most personal information, as an infrastructure of surveillance is born.

News and Developments

Belgian Prime Minister condemns SWIFT data transfers to U.S. as 'illegal' 28/09/2006
The Belgian government released a report today on the SWIFT case. SWIFT has been subject to a PI campaign against its transfer of financial transaction data to the U.S. Government. The Belgian government concluded that "Swift should have respected its obligations under Belgian data privacy laws."

German Lander Commissioner legal analysis condemns SWIFT transfers to U.S. 25/08/2006
The Data Protection Commission for the German Lander of Schleswig-Holstein released its legal analysis of the SWIFT transfer of transactional data to the US Government. The analysis concludes that the transfers violate German and European data protection law, and calls for the immediate cessation of the mirroring of European data in the U.S. data centre.

An Open Letter to the CEO of SWIFT on other covert programmes for access to financial data 12/07/2006
PI writes to the CEO of SWIFT asking if there are other covert programmes run by SWIFT in co-operation with other governments around the world for access to personal financial data held by SWIFT.

European Parliament resolution on SWIFT builds on PI work 07/07/2006
The European Parliament adopted a resolution demanding explanations from EU governments and institutions regarding their complicity in the SWIFT transfers of financial data to the U.S. The resolution refers directly to PI's campaigning on the issue.

EU announces fingerprint specifications for passports 30/06/2006
Despite there being no reason for their introduction, the EU has released specifications for the inclusion of fingerprints in all EU passports.

U.S. to transform border security measures 18/01/2006
In an announcement shared by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State, the Bush Administration announced a number of new measures at managing borders, including biometric cards and using 'travel intelligence'.

EU Moves closer to Entry-Exit System for Foreigners 25/11/2005
Copying recent moves by the U.S. in its own VISIT programme, the European Commission is proposing increasing access to databases of all foreigners and their fingerprints, while further developing the existing data stores.

Privacy Commissioners call for restraint on retention of communications data 01/11/2005
In a carefully worded report, the committee of EU privacy commissioners (the Article 29 Working Party) criticises both the Council and the Commission policies on data retention. The Article 29 Working Party call for restraint and safeguards that have to date not appeared in any national or EU policy.

European Council faces defeat on retention 13/10/2005
After years of internal wrangling amongst ministers from EU member states the Council appears prepared to abandon its data retention proposal in favour of the European Commission's proposed directive.

European Commission announces its plans for data retention 21/09/2005
Adding more to the confusion, the European Commission announces its plans for a Directive on communications data retention.

UK Presidency of the EU speech on civil liberties and terrorism 09/09/2005
Transcript of the speech given by the UK Home Secretary to the European Parliament on the need to reconsider human rights conventions.

UK Presidency of the EU encounters opposition to retention plans 09/09/2005
At a meeting of justice ministers and industry, the UK Presidency faced mounting criticism of its proposals.