Interior Ministry intent on banning civilian counter surveillance
Ernst Strasser must not disregard EU report, says consortium speaker.
Vienna, 04.05.2004 - The S-77CCR consortium's plan to set up a civilian surveillance unit in
Vienna have met with great approval. As a consequence, the Interior
Ministry seems to be captivated by nervous agitation. In a bold move,
the Ministry dismisses a EU expertise and intends to lift the unit's
official approval for Austria.
Contrary to the European guidelines, the Interior Ministry classifies
the use of civilian surveillance systems as a violation of the privacy
of the State Police. The camera surveillance systems demanded by the
Ministry represent “no license for so-called counter surveillance”,
official sources declared. In Austria, the use of biometric registration
systems will continue to be allowed only if directed against the people.
The Minister's stance is backed up by Vienna FPOE, who have insistently
warned against the machinations of foreign hooligans in the Vienna city
center.
Dr. Brian Holmes, SS-77CCR speaker in Paris, says: "We are convinced
that the city of Vienna will support the release of surveillance
technologies for civil society, not just for democratic reasons, but
also for economic ones."
S-77CCR on ATV+
