EU Member States push back on human rights-related tech export controls

Nine EU Member States have expressed concerns over proposed changes to export controls that would curb exports of surveillance technology that jeopardises human rights. In a paper obtained by EUROACTIV, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Poland and the UK all warn against the move, which could lead to ‘portraying Europe as a technology-averse continent and an unlikely home for any global frontrunners on ICT or other technologies of the future generations.’ The paper was circulated to all 28 Member States on 15 May.

The document pushes for a co-ordinated approach on export control with other major economies, such as the US, to avoid displacing the issue outside the bloc:

‘Controls on EU exports without parallel measures in the other major economies would serve only to push the development and production of relevant technologies outside of the EU,’ it said. Fears were also expressed that stricter export controls ‘could seriously undermine the competitiveness of EU-based industry.’ The group of nine advocate an evaluation of restrictive measures already in place ‘to develop smarter and more effective EU sanctions controls on cyber-surveillance technologies.’

In 2016 the EU Commission initiated a recast of EU Regulation 428/2009 controlling the export of dual-use goods amid concern that EU companies were selling surveillance equipment to governments to spy on their citizens. In January of this year MEPs made amendments to emphasise that potential breaches of human rights should be a key factor in deciding whether to grant export licences for goods and technology.

The working paper can be found here:
https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/06/nine-countries-paper-on-dual-use.pdf