Dear Mr Baird,
The President of the European Parliament (EP), Mr Martin Schulz, has received your message concerning Parliamentary Resolution A4-0005/99 and the progress since its adoption.
The Citizens' Enquiry Service of the EP has been asked to reply.
On 6 March 2008, a written question was put to the Commission, asking what action has been taken by the EU since this call was made. If you wish to read the question in full, as well as the Commission's reply, please consult the following webpage.
Since you also refer to the recent NSA surveillance issues, please note that this was a subject of debate at the plenary session in the European Parliament on 3 July. If you wish to consult the debate in full, please click here.
In this regard, the EP adopted a resolutionon 4 July which was approved by 483 votes to 98 with 65 abstentions. According to the press releaseon 8 July, the resolution instructs the EP's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs(LIBE) to conduct an "in-depth" enquiry into the US surveillance programmes, including the bugging of EU institutions and other spying allegations. The President of the EP, as well as political group leaders, formally confirmed the launch of the enquiry.
In the first hearing, held on 5 September, concerns were voiced by MEPs and key journalists on the impact of US National Security Agency and other surveillance programmes on EU citizens' privacy and media freedom and the lack of democratic oversight of these programmes. For further information, please consult this link.
Finally, to stay informed about the EP's current and future activities please consult our website.
We hope this is of interest and thank you for contacting the European Parliament.
Yours sincerely,
Citizens' Enquiry Service
European Parliament
The President of the European Parliament (EP), Mr Martin Schulz, has received your message concerning Parliamentary Resolution A4-0005/99 and the progress since its adoption.
The Citizens' Enquiry Service of the EP has been asked to reply.
On 6 March 2008, a written question was put to the Commission, asking what action has been taken by the EU since this call was made. If you wish to read the question in full, as well as the Commission's reply, please consult the following webpage.
Since you also refer to the recent NSA surveillance issues, please note that this was a subject of debate at the plenary session in the European Parliament on 3 July. If you wish to consult the debate in full, please click here.
In this regard, the EP adopted a resolutionon 4 July which was approved by 483 votes to 98 with 65 abstentions. According to the press releaseon 8 July, the resolution instructs the EP's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs(LIBE) to conduct an "in-depth" enquiry into the US surveillance programmes, including the bugging of EU institutions and other spying allegations. The President of the EP, as well as political group leaders, formally confirmed the launch of the enquiry.
In the first hearing, held on 5 September, concerns were voiced by MEPs and key journalists on the impact of US National Security Agency and other surveillance programmes on EU citizens' privacy and media freedom and the lack of democratic oversight of these programmes. For further information, please consult this link.
Finally, to stay informed about the EP's current and future activities please consult our website.
We hope this is of interest and thank you for contacting the European Parliament.
Yours sincerely,
Citizens' Enquiry Service
European Parliament