Main focus of Thursday, September 11, 2008

Cristina and Edvige cause trouble

The introduction of two databases for the collection of personal information has set off a major controversy in France. Edvige (Exploitation documentaire et valorisation de l'information générale) registers criminals and suspects, while Cristina (Centralisation du renseignement intérieur pour la sécurité du territoire et les intérêts nationaux) gathers information on the fight against terror. What impact will the databases have on civil freedoms in France?

Le Quotidien - Luxembourg

Le Quotidien newspaper calls for changes to the security databases: "Even before the regulations were introduced, several timid voices had been raised against the government's project. ... Now public refusal is coming not only from the opposition, but from all quarters: unions, employers, politicians. The president of French employers is asking for explanations and expressing concerns, while the leader of the [French confederation of trade unions] CGT is denouncing the 'surveillance society'. Not to mention the minister of defence or the secretary of state for human rights, who also want to put their word in. ... And not without reason. It is clear that something like the Cristina database must exist for the fight against terror. But not without protection. And the same goes for Edvige, because the administration cannot be left to act as it pleases. ... Yesterday the government tried to allay dissatisfaction by setting a temporal limit on minors' files. But the text still needs work to avoid giving the impression that we are returning to the sad era of 1940. Saint Hedwig, enlighten them and pray for them!" (10/09/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Luxembourg

El País - Spain

The daily El País sees the Edvige database as a symbol of the increased monitoring of citizens by the state: "An Orwellian fantasy or simply the updating of police records using digital technology? Whatever the case, Edvige has whipped up a political and social storm in France. ... Edvige ... has given Sarkozy, returning from his summer holidays, a nasty surprise - particularly now that his performance at international diplomatic negotiations has somewhat improved his low popularity ratings. Now he has even instructed his minister of the interior Michèle Alliot-Marie to have the decree revised. ... Whether the decree is altered or not, the affair in France has demonstrated the ever increasing supervision and monitoring of citizens in democratic societies. It is justified with the argument that is being used to improve security, but it nevertheless constitutes a grave violation of civil liberties." (11/09/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Crime and Law, » France

Le Monde - France

Le Monde questions the very need for Edvige database: "The damage caused by Edvige is all the more serious in that it pertains to the president's preferred policy area: security. As a pragmatist, the president has learned to concede on certain matters. ... It remains to be seen what guarantees the government is ready to offer those ... who are disturbed by the database. The inroads into privacy are not negligible - whether you are talking about the storage of personal data of important politicians, business people or the like - which the president finds superfluous - or about storing inappropriate information, for example on people's sex lives or health. ... For the time being, however, the philosophy behind Edvige is not being called into question. Information is supposed to be gathered on those people or organisations who 'could disrupt the public order'. That formulation is too broad and too vague to avoid raising concern." (11/09/2008)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » France

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