Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats
S&D Euro MPs today denounced their conservative opponents for voting down safeguards for people's basic rights in a complex global deal on copyright.
Effects of the vote include the fact that without a comprehensive agreement holiday makers travelling out of Europe risk being searched and prosecuted over their music-player downloads.
The 186-strong S&D group wanted stronger legal protection and a full assessment of the effects of a new Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) negotiated by the European Commission and Council on behalf of the EU. But in a vote in Strasbourg today, right-wingers defeated the proposals.
S&D Group vice-president Véronique de Keyser said: "There are many pending issues in the talks but the Conservatives simply don't care – even though they affect people's crucial rights. Respect for fundamental freedoms, privacy and data protection, respect for free internet, the neutrality of internet service providers and the safeguard of access to medicines are all at stake.
"The Commission made many promises, but we want to see them on paper."
The Parliament wants clarification of the legal basis of ACTA and a clear division of competences between the Council and the Commission in the criminal enforcement section.
S&D spokesperson on international trade Kader Arif said: "It is a shame. We need guarantees that copyright enforcement procedures in the digital environment will not affect existing EU legislation and will not influence future legislation in a key sector for innovation.
"Even if the Commission could guarantee respect for current EU legislation, we don't know what impact the deal negotiated by the Council and the Commission could have for our citizens abroad. For example, we are worried that European citizens might have their luggage and their iPods searched when they travel to foreign countries.
"ACTA also calls for internet service providers to cooperate with businesses to 'effectively address' infringements. We deeply regret that the conservatives voted against our request for an analysis of the legality and enforceability of this provision. This analysis is needed to guarantee the freedom and proper functioning of internet service providers, as well as the protection of citizens' fundamental rights and privacy."
Mr Arif added: "The Commission claims that ACTA can bring progress in protecting the labelling of goods with their place of origin. This is definitely not enough. There is no evidence that this is the case, and we deplore that the conservatives refused to ask the Commission for clarification of this crucial issue."
Victoria Martín de la Torre
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Associated media
People at risk after right wing Euro MPs vote down safeguards. S&D Group vice-president Véronique de Keyser said: 'There are many pending issues in the talks but the Conservatives simply don't care – even though they affect people's crucial rights. Respect for fundamental freedoms, privacy and data protection, respect for free internet, the neutrality of internet service providers and the safeguard of access to medicines are all at stake'.
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