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Sent: 15 April 2002 12:57
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Subject: Statewatch News Online, 15 April 2002



Statewatch News Online, 15 April
2002<http://www.statewatch.org/news/index.html>

Contents

1. SIS II takes ominous shape
2. Nigerian deported from Ireland in coma
3. USA puts three Swedish citizens on UN terrorist list
4. New UK visa regime to match that of the USA
5. Switzerland to join Schengen agreement
6. News in brief

[All articles include background and full-text documentation]

1. SIS II TAKES OMINOUS SHAPE
- SIS set to become the EU's "Big Brother" database
- EU security and intelligence agencies to have access to all SIS
data

"Requirements" for SIS II, the second generation Schengen
Information System (SIS) have been outlined by the EU. The
proposals would
introduce a number of new functions for the SIS,
allow more types of personal information to be
retained, provide wider access to law
enforcement and administrative agencies and
reduce data protection standards. Four new
functions for the SIS are planned. Two
incorporate recent proposals - revealed by
Statewatch - to create a database of violent
trouble-makers, who to be prevented from
travelling to certain events during certain
periods, and another detailing all visas issued
(and refused). The other two new roles for the
SIS are entirely new proposals and would create
a "restricted access terrorist database" and a
new category of "persons precluded from leaving
the Schengen area", including people under
criminal investigation, prisoners on conditional
release and children at risk from abduction.
<http://www.statewatch.org/news/2002/apr/01sis.ht
m>

2. NIGERIAN DEPORTED FROM IRELAND IN COMA

On Thursday 28th March 2002, Alabi Ayinde and
five other Nigerians were put on a private
charter flight to Lagos, accompanied by around
20 Irish immigration guards. After they arrived
in Lagos the six were handed over to Nigerian
immigration officials who then took the six to
prison. At the prison the governor refused to
accept Alabi as was unconscious. Alabi was taken
to a nearby hospital where he was diagnosed as
being in a coma, he remains there surrounded by
prison guards.
<http://www.statewatch.org/news/2002/apr/04irelan
d.htm>

3. USA PUTS THREE SWEDISH CITIZENS ON UN
TERRORIST LIST

The United States has put three Swedish
citizens, of Somalian origin, on the UN list for
freezing the funds of terrorist suspects. The
three men, Abdirisak, Ahmed Aliyusus and
Abdulaziz Ali, are members of Al Barakaat, a
network of organisations set up to allow Somali
people around the world to send money back to
their families and relatives in Somalia. After
public reaction to the move they demanded
evidence from the USA but the USA said they did
not need to show any evidence. However, the
"evidence" was sent to Sweden and analysed by
the Swedish Security Police who officially said
there was no substance in the material sent
over.
<http://www.statewatch.org/news/2002/apr/03somali
a.htm>

4. NEW UK VISA REGIME TO MATCH THAT OF THE USA
- UK "Warnings Index": "lists people with
adverse immigration histories or who are of
other interest to the Government. Every visa
applicant is checked against this database"

The UK is planning to introduce a new regime for
issuing and refusing visas to visitors which
closely mirrors the plans in the USA. The UK's
intentions are spelt out in its response to a
questionnaire sent out to all EU states on the
creation of an EU-wide database on visas - which
will probably be held on the Schengen
Information System. The UK reply opens by noting
that the impetus for the creation of an EU Visa
Database was: "motivated by the need to improve
operational cooperation to combat terrorism and
other serious crime in the wake of the attacks
of 11 September, and not simply to improve
administrative visa issuing procedure".
<http://www.statewatch.org/news/2002/apr/02ukvisa
.htm>

5. SWITZERLAND TO JOIN SCHENGEN AGREEMENT

At its meeting on 9 April 2002, the European
Commission agreed that
negotiations should be opened with Switzerland so that it could join the
Schengen agreement. Switzerland would have the same "associate" status as
Norway and Iceland who are also not members of the European Union. This move

means that Switzerland will have to sign up to the voluminous Schengen
acquis
and implement all its recommendations. In return Switzerland would get a
seat
at the justice and home affairs "Mixed Committee" which deals with Schengen
issues. A pre-condition that Switzerland also signs up to one of the main EU

asylum measures the Dublin agreement, which establishes criteria and
mechanisms
for determining which State is responsible for considering an application
for
asylum submitted in one of its member states. Switzerland would also get
acess
to and be able to place requests and "alerts" on the Schengen Information
System (SIS). <http://www.statewatch.org/news/2002/apr/05switz.htm>

6. NEWS IN BRIEF
<http://www.statewatch.org/news/Newsinbrief.htm>

* Latest issue of B|rgerrechte & Polizei/CILIP 70 (3/2001): Summary of
articles
from German civil liberties journal and Statewatch partner organisation in
English

* Report from the Chinese Republic on "Human rights record of the United
States
2001

* CIA World Fact Book for 2001, criticised this year for being more partial
than usual

* UK Home Office Circular (no 13 /2002, 26.3.02)
on deaths in police custody or following police
contact


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