EU Civil Liberties Committee endorse plan to check citizens at external borders

The European Union (EU) Civil Liberties Committee endorsed a plan by the EU Commission on Tuesday that will systematically check all EU citizens entering or leaving the EU against wide and national security databases.

The plan, authored by Monica Macovei and approved by a vote of 48-6, also extends to family members with third country nationalities and those listing lost or stolen travel documents. Backers of the plan say that it would make it easier for authorities to apprehend travelers attempting to hide their real identities.

The database includes INTERPOL’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents database and the Schengen Information System.

The plan stems from a rise in terrorist threats in Europe, such as the attacks in Paris, Copenhagen and Brussels and aims to stop foreign fighters, many of whom are EU citizens, from irregular migration and human trafficking.

”The right to life is the most basic of human rights,” Macovei said. “The recent terrorist attacks bitterly demonstrate the current threat to Europe’s internal security and proves that changes are needed. It is also worth giving up some of our comforts and time, even if this means longer queues at the borders, in order to save lives.”