Brussels, 28/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 28 April, the European Parliament's Civil Liberties Committee endorsed the reinforcement of Europol powers, so that the police cooperation agency is better equipped to tackle terrorism, cybercrime and other kinds of criminality.
MEPs adopted by 40 votes in favour, with 3 against and 2 abstentions, the report by Augustin Díaz de Mera Garcia-Consuegra (EPP, Spain). According to the regulation contained in the report, Europol will be able to put together specialist units more quickly for responding to emergency situations, such as terrorist attacks. The agency will also be able to directly exchange information with private undertakings, such as companies and NGOs. Europol will also be able to consult social media networks and withdraw radical content and propaganda relating to terrorist undertakings. Member states will also be obliged to provide Europol with sufficient information necessary for the agency to correctly carry out its work.
The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) will also be in charge of controlling Europol activities and ensuring that there are clear complaints procedures for European citizens, explains the Parliamentary committee. Europol will be subject to controls by a joint committee of members from the EP and national parliaments. The EP will be voting on the new rules in May. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)