Recommendation 2067 (2015)

Mass surveillance

Author(s): Parliamentary Assembly

Origin - Assembly debate on 21 April 2015 (12th Sitting) (see Doc. 13734, report of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, rapporteur: Mr Pieter Omtzigt; and Doc. 13748, opinion of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media, rapporteur: Sir Roger Gale). Text adopted by the Assembly on 21 April 2015 (12th Sitting).

1. The Parliamentary Assembly refers to its Resolution 2045 (2015) on mass surveillance and invites the Committee of Ministers to make use of the tools at its disposal to uphold the fundamental right to privacy in all member and observer States of the Council of Europe.

2. In particular, the Assembly invites the Committee of Ministers to consider:

2.1. addressing a recommendation to member States on ensuring the protection of privacy in the digital age and Internet safety in the light of the threats posed by the newly disclosed mass surveillance techniques (see Resolution 2045 (2015), paragraphs 19.1 to 19.3);

2.2. further exploring Internet security issues related to mass surveillance and intrusion practices, in particular with regard to the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Internet users;

2.3. launching an initiative aimed at negotiating an “intelligence codex” addressed to the intelligence services of all participating States, which lays down rules governing co-operation in the fight against terrorism and organised crime (see Resolution 2045 (2015), paragraph 19.4);

2.4. strengthening co-operation with the competent bodies of the European Union involved in negotiating trade and data protection issues with the United States and other third countries, with a view to bringing to bear the principles laid down in the European Convention on Human Rights (ETS No. 5) in the interest of all member States of the Council of Europe.