EFA MEPs propose the creation of an action protocol against cyber espionage
Diana Riba, Vice-Chair of the inquiry committee for Pegasus and Jordi Solé, EFA group President, intervened this morning in the committee of inquiry on Pegasus from the European Parliament for calling for" tougher actions" in the European institutions in cases such as the 'Catalan Gate. And demanded the creation of a 'European Parliament Action Protocol against cyber espionage", a protocol that can be activated when European public representatives are spied on.
EFA MEPs Diana Riba and Jordi Solé are members of the committee inquiry committee for Pegasus and other spyware launched. Today, however, they have intervened as victims. The committee has been able to hear its own particular cases, learn more about the Catalan Gate scandal and discuss possible political and judicial responses that the Community institutions must carry out these violations of fundamental rights in front of them.
Diana Riba i Giner, Greens/EFA MEP and Vice-Chair of the committee inquiry committee for Pegasus and other spyware launched, said.
"We welcome the Commissioner's visit to Madrid, where demanded explanations about the use of Pegasus and implementation in the European Parliament of a technical infection detection service, but it is not enough",'European Parliament must create a Protocol of action against cyber espionage that systematises the response of the European institutions when a European public representative is attacked "."This protocol should defend our immunity and to offer all the resources of the institutions, both political and legal, available to the victim in order to achieve justice and repair the damages caused"
Jordi Sole MEP, EFA Group President and member of the Pegasus committee inquiry committee for Pegasus and other spyware launched, said.
"Catalan Gate it's a State operation, a political espionage illegitimate, arbitrary, invasive and undemocratic to which the European institutions must respond.""Only two victims, including me, have been able to appear in court to testify, while the espionage case against Spanish government members has a judicial "fast track"."In Spain, there are first and second-class victims, which is something we must condemn."'To Spy on a single MEP endangers the integrity and sovereignty of the whole house"
Saskia Bricmont, Greens/EFA MEP and member of the Pegasus committee inquiry committee for Pegasus and other spyware launched, said.
"I would like to express my full support to my colleagues Diana Riba i Giner and Jordi Solé, as well as all victims of spyware who have been hacked and spied upon by their own government. We need to make full transparency and clarify responsibilities.""Violation of parliamentary immunity is not acceptable. The European Parliament needs to react strongly by defending its Members. We need a protocol with rules and procedures in place. We need this House to strongly react when the immunity of its member is not respected when our collective work and independence are put at risks.""Such spying is a blow to democratic values and fundamental rights, endangering rule of law everywhere in Europe. The use of national security argument cannot be used as an excuse to spy upon democratically elected people."
