Busuttil, Casa go against the grain to vote for studies on controversial technology

Matthew Vella
Labour MEP John Attard-Montalto abstained from an overwhelming vote by Members of the European Parliament last Thursday to delay the introduction of controversial body scanners in European airports, and demand more studies into their health effects and privacy implications.
Attard-Montalto has already said he will probably be voting in favour of a Commission proposal that wants body scanners installed inside airports by 2010, that will virtually strip airline passengers completely naked to disclose hidden guns, knives or explosives.
“If I had to choose between extra security against the invasion of privacy, I think I would be in favour of the body scanners,” Attard-Montalto said, saying the climate of international security was still one that necessitated the security measures.
The new systems have already been introduced in several US airports and have been tested around the world, including in London’s Heathrow airport and Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport.
Nationalist MEPs Simon Busuttil and David Casa, going against the grain of the EPP-ED group, voted in favour of the motion. Labour MEP Louis Grech also joined the 361 who voted in favour of the resolution demanding the European Commission for a full study on privacy and health implications.
There were 181 abstentions, mostly members of the EPP-ED group.
MEPs said there were doubts as to whether the scanners were proportionate and necessary in a democratic society. They asked the Commission to come up with an impact assessments relating to fundamental rights and the health impact of the technology within three months.
The motion also asks the Commission to consult with the European Data Protection Supervisor and the Fundamental Rights Agency, as well as to carry out an economic and cost-benefit impact assessment.
Supporters of body scanners say they make it easier to detect concealed objects such as liquids or plastic weapons not picked up by traditional metal detectors. Civil liberties campaigners have denounced the machines as a “virtual strip search”.
If the full body scanners are approved, each of the 27 EU nations would be free to decide if they wanted to use them.
Italian communist MEP Giusto Catania (GUE-NGL), told MEPs that airports had become “privileged locations for the security obsession”.
He said body scanners were “the final fronteir of modern torture… it’s a barefaced violatio nof privacy, human rights and personal dignity.”
Mr President, I would like to focus the House’s attention on the recent announcement by the Commission to apply whole-body imaging technology to Europe’s airports by 2010.
British conservative MEP Philip Bradbourn slammed the Commission’s lax approach to the measure, saying it was bypassing parliamentary scrutiny of personal privacy and dignity.
“This technology has the potential to force air passengers to undergo what could be seen as undignifying treatment… Of course we should be serious about security, but this form of blanket approach to technology has the potential to turn a legitimate security concern into an unacceptable peepshow for security industries.”

mvella@mediatoday.com.mt

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