MEP demands clarification on SWIFT scandal

3.00.29pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 6th Jul 2006

Today a large majority in the European Parliament adopted a resolution expressing its serious concerns on the secretive monitoring by CIA of financial transactions of European citizens via the Swift databases. European Liberals and Democrats took the lead in drafting this resolution, because they believe it is unacceptable that this operation was carried out without any legal control and call upon the United States to prove the legality of this operation.

Liz Lynne MEP, Lib Dem human rights spokeswoman said:

"It is not yet clear who knew what regarding this access to the international bank transfer data of European citizens. This operation breached fundamental freedoms of European citizens. If it is really this easy to circumvent bank secrecy and the protection of personal data, then this case is indeed very worrying. We should have first examined the legal basis for the transfer of customer data from international money transfers."

"The SWIFT case gives rise to the question, especially in view of the behaviour of the European Central Bank: How far is the fight against terrorism going off course? The head in the sand attitude of the other EU Institutions has made it crystal clear that the European Parliament's scrutiny role is indispensable".

"The European Central Bank and the national central banks that were aware of the transfers, have some explaining to do for not informing the European Parliament when they were consulted regarding the report on the combating of money laundering and terrorist financing." *

"This scandal is not an isolated incident, but we see a clear pattern: SWIFT, rendition flights, Passenger Name Records, you name it. We urgently need a dialogue with the US, but even more urgently we need a proper EU community policy, so that we can speak with one voice. In the absence of an EU policy and of proper EU standards, policies and standards will be imposed on us by the US."

"The United States are a friendly nation, an ally. A true friendship can take a bit of justified and constructive criticism."

ENDS

Notes To Editors

• Link to the Alvaro report "Combating money laundering and terrorist financing": http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/expert.do;jsessionid=08B63932F918823B52AFBCE635510F5E.node2?language=EN#