Temporary Committee on the ECHELON Interception System
The Temporary Committee on ECHELON was a Committee of the European Parliament that was set up to investigate the global surveillance network ECHELON.[1]
Findings
In 2001, the commitee concluded that the ECHELON surveillance system "almost certainly" existed, but admitted that beyond stepping up diplomatic pressure on the Five Eyes to abide by privacy laws, there is not much that the European Union could do to evade their surveillance.[2]
Controversy
The committee was first proposed by the European Green Party. However, the original plan was scrapped due to opposition from major political groups in the European Parliament.[3] According to critics, the committee has been unable to fully investigate the ECHELON system.[4]
External links
References
- ^ Ruuda, Marit (16 May 2001). "Echelon committee suspicions grow". EUobserver. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ Leyden, John (6 July 2001). "Europe should tackle home-grown Echelons, says MEP". The Register. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ van Buuren, Jelle (5 July 2000). "European Parliament votes against inquiry committee on Echelon". Heise Online. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
- ^ van Buuren, Jelle (09 June 2000). "Greens: European Parliament is obstructing inquiry on Echelon". Heise Online.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)