The European Socialists and Democrats, the main progressive force in the European Parliament, backed a request for a legal opinion from the European Court of Justice before voting on a planned agreement between the EU and Canada on the exchange of air passenger data (PNR) in the fight against serious crime and terrorism.
The request was adopted today in Strasbourg despite the opposition from the EPP Group.
Birgit Sippel MEP, S&D spokesperson on civil liberties, justice and home affairs, said:
"Last April the EU Court of Justice declared a directive on data retention, passed by the European Parliament, invalid for seriously interfering with the fundamental right to privacy and the protection of personal data.
"Before endorsing this new PNR agreement, we want to ensure that it will not follow the same path.
Birgit Sippel MEP also dismissed concerns that by delaying the entry into force of this data sharing agreement there would be increased risk for the EU citizens. "The agreement is meant to regulate the flow of data, which is ongoing anyway."
Jörg Leichtfried MEP, S&D vice-president; said:
"Concerns raised by the EDPS and others must be taken seriously. We should not rush into an agreement that has potentially far reaching consequences for the civil liberties of EU citizens and might undermine ongoing work on the data protection package.
"As legislators, we need to be sure that the decisions we take comply with the Chart of Fundamental rights and the already existing EU legislation".
