EU Trade Committee MEPs voted to extend EU export controls on goods and technologies designed for civilian use but possibly used for human rights violations (dual-use goods).
The EU is currently updating its rules on the export control of dual-use items to keep up with new technologies and prevent authoritarian regimes from spying on their own citizens with the help of European products.
In addition to extending export controls to protect human rights, MEPs also voted to remove encryption technologies from the list of cyber-surveillance products, as they consider these vital for the self-defense of human rights defenders. The new rules were adopted in November 2017 by a vote of 34 to 1, with 2 abstentions.
The full House will have to confirm the Parliament’s negotiating mandate. Talks with ministers can start as soon as EU member states have agreed on their own negotiating position.
Dual-use goods – goods and technologies designed for use in peaceful, civilian circumstances but that can also be used for weapons of mass destruction or terrorist attacks – are already under an EU export control regime.
The new proposed rules would enhance “human security” by adding certain cyber-surveillance tools to the list of items that need the approval of national authorities before being exported.
These items include devices for intercepting mobile phones, hacking computers, circumventing passwords, or identifying internet users. Such dual-use items are widely used around the world to suppress civilians, political opponents, and activists.
The EU Trade Committee MEPs want to strengthen the protection of human rights and create a “future-proof” system that can rapidly deal with new technologies.
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