Under a recent draft law by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and European Union (EU) ministers, all EU citizens and third country nationals entering or leaving the EU will be checked against databases, such as lost or stolen documents.
The draft law comes in the wake of recent terror attacks across Europe, including attacks in Paris, Brussels and Copenhagen.
The checks proposed would be mandatory for every traveler in order to provide an added layer of security inside the EU. A key goal in Parliament’s negotiations would be to make it possible to ease new airport rules if the flow of traffic is slowed too much. Should member states wish to participate, they will have to demonstrate no risk will be placed on internal security public policy, international relations or public health. The draft law also suggests that if systematic checks cause too lengthy of a border delay, sample checks could be introduced at various EU land and sea borders instead.
Travelers would be subject to a background check on the Schengen Information System and the Interpol database, along with other country-specific lost or stolen travel documents databases.
“Terrorism is hate without limits, and destroying human life is at the core of hate. Every person has a right to life and every democracy has the right to its values. We want security in a changing world,” Parliament’s rapporteur Monica Macovei said. “Crises such as the terrorist threat require a rapid and coordinated crisis response. Securing the external borders of the EU can stop the movement of terrorists, weapons and substances of mass destruction. We must do our outmost.”
Upon confirmation vote by the Council of Civil Liberties, the deal will be put to vote Parliament as a whole and Council of Ministers.