European Group for the study of deviance and social control

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Comment by Dr David Gordon Scott on March 31, 2012 at 21:23

 

40^th Annual Conference Contact: Elisa Bosio

For information regarding travel, accommodation or any other information regarding our 40^th Annual Conference please contact Elisa Bosio bosio.e@unic.ac.cy. 

 

The abstract deadline is the 28 April 2012.  Please send these to both the appropriate stream coordinator (see attached call for papers) and Elisa Bosio bosio.e@unic.ac.cy

 

Further details of the conference can be viewed at: www.europeangroup.org

Mailing List: guidance for sending emails directly to members of the Group

You can contact the whole European Group email list almost instantaneously by sending an email to europeangroup@lists.riseup.net.

To contact the WHOLE GROUP please send your email to: europeangroup@lists.riseup.net  Attachments can be included in the email (though please be warned that emails with large attachments may be rejected – if this happens please cut and paste the attachment into the email document itself).

To contact either myself or Joanna please send your email to: europeangroupcoordinator@gmail.com  We will continue to distribute emails on behalf of members when requested to do so

 

If you have any contacts who wish to be added to the distribution list please ask them to send an email with the subject line 'subscribe' to europeangroup@lists.riseup.net.

 

If you have any information that you would like circulated to the Group that you do not want to send out to the whole list of members in a separate email (e.g. details of forthcoming seminars, conferences etc.) please continue to email it to europeangroupcoordinator@gmail.com and we will add it to the ‘European Group News’ monthly newsletter.

 

 

Comment by Sacha Darke on March 30, 2012 at 8:12

Statewatch News Online, 26 March 2012 (7/12)
e-mail: office@statewatch.org

PRESS RELEASE: Launch of Frontex Observatory – 26 March 2012
www.statewatch.org/frontex

Established in 2006 by Regulation 2004/2007, Frontex is the European Agency for the Management of the External Borders of the European Union. It coordinates and co]organises with Member States high]tech border control operations at sea, land and air external borders of the EU, and carries out joint return flights of irregular migrants. Its mandate was revised in 2011. Since its inception, Frontex has been criticised for its lack of transparency and accountability.

Statewatch’s Frontex Observatory will analyse and document the role and activities of Frontex
It provides a unique source of understanding of the Agency’s operations and activities, bringing  together legal, political, analytical documents from a variety of sources. Regularly updated, the Observatory allows for a contextualised understanding of Frontex’s development over the years and throws light on the main issues at stake with regards to civil liberties and fundamental rights. Divided into six sections, the Observatory will be particularly useful to researchers, civil society organisations, academics, students, journalists, lawyers, and parliamentarians.

• What is Frontex’s exact mandate? All decisions constituting the legal framework of the Agency’s activities, including a unique consolidated version of the amended 2004/2007 Regulation, are available in this section.

• Official documentation: Current and ongoing official documentation regarding Frontex by the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament, the European Data Protection Supervisor, the Ombudsman, the Council of Europe and court decisions.

•News: A selection of news articles examining the work and activities of Frontex

• Analysis and opinion: The Agency has been playing a central role in the EU’s border management since its inception and has therefore been under the close scrutiny of many institutions and civil society organisations looking at the civil liberties and human rights aspects of its work (data protection, use of force, interception and deportation of migrants).

•Other EU policy areas involving Frontex: Frontex was given increasing powers and plays a significant role in the implementation of different security policies and measures developed in this section (e.g. establishment of the European borders surveillance system EUROSUR; Internal Security Strategy).

•Frontex publications: The Observatory facilitates access to Frontex’s documents, some of them not being available on its website.

STATEWATCH: monitoring the state & civil liberties in Europe:
Main website: http://www.statewatch.org

Comment by Dr David Gordon Scott on March 14, 2012 at 15:20

 

European Group News

Conference Special Update

40th Annual Conference, University of Nicosia, Cyprus,

5-9th September 2012

• Please Book Early
• Hotel Information
• Airport Pick Up
• Travel from Hotel to Conference (available for all delegates)

 

BOOK EARLY BUT NO LATE FEE

The Cyprus organising team have kindly agreed to drop the 50Euro late registration fee charge.  Can I please encourage members to sign up to the conference as soon as possible.  This will not only help organisers put together the conference programme but, given the limited number of hotels in Nicosia, it would be to your advantage to register and book as soon as possible.  Please note also that the passport number is no longer required for the booking forms.

 

HOTELS

Unfortunately hotels in Nicosia are more expensive than similar hotels in Europe. The period in which the conference will take place coincides with the Cyprus-EU presidency and another large conference. Given this, and the limited number of hotels in Nicosia, participants of the Beyond the Wire conference may face difficulty in finding other options to those on the booking form. You can search www.booking.com (for example) for hotels in Nicosia between 4/9 and 9/9 but many hotels will have limited availability. Nevertheless, participants are free to look for hotel options themselves.

 

 

TRAVEL FROM/TO LARNAKA AIRPORT

The optional airport pick-up service offered by Tamasos Tours is a special price (65 Euros).

 

Alternative options include:  

 

Taxi

Participants can use the taxi service that they will find at Larnaka Airport upon arrival.  A transfer from Larnaka Airport to Nicosia will cost around EUR 50.00 – EUR 60.00 (one-way).

 

Airport Shuttle Bus

Alternatively, you can take the KAPNOS Shuttle Bus, which departs the Airport at certain fixed times (currently 12 routes between 08:00-23:00, and 1-2 routes during the night) and reaches Nicosia in approximately 40 minutes.  The cost is EUR 7.00 per person, one way.

From where it terminates, you will need to call a taxi to take you to your hotel, which can be anywhere between 5 minutes drive, and a cost of around EUR 7.00 one-way (for Semeli Hotel) and 15-20 minutes drive, and a cost of around EUR 10.00 - 15.00 one way (for Hilton Park).

You can find all information regarding the KAPNOS Shuttle Bus on www.kapnosairportshuttle.com. 

 

Kindly note that these are only an indication based on today's rates, and they are subject to change by the bus and taxi companies at anytime. Moreover, while the Shuttle Bus is more affordable than the optional pick-up service offered by Tamasos, it can be more laborious – especially after a long trip.

 

 

TRAVEL FROM HOTELS TO CONFERENCE

The public bus system recently underwent a major overhaul slightly over a year ago. Prior to this public transportation was virtually non-existent. Currently, approximately 2% of the population uses the public buses and the bus service remains infrequent with buses running every 30 minutes (weekdays) or 40 minutes (weekends). The public bus company and relevant information is available here:  http://www.osel.com.cy/index.php?link=routes.php.   People visiting Cyprus usually rely on taxis and car rentals. A taxi from the hotels in the centre of town to the University cost on average between 8-10 Euros each way. The transfer service for participants is a fraction of this cost and is factored in to the registration fee as a matter of convenience for the participants given the public transportation situation facing us in Nicosia. Moreover, participants choosing to stay in hotels in town can also benefit from the pick-up service if they make their way to the Classic Hotel for the morning pick-up.

 

[This message is largely based on information kindly provided by Elisa Bosio]

 

The updated form will also be available on the European Group Website from Monday 19th March

 

Best wishes

David

Comment by Sacha Darke on March 13, 2012 at 13:13

Statewatch News Online, 13 March 2012 (6/12)
Home page: http://www.statewatch.org/
e-mail: office@statewatch.org

1.    EU-READMISSION: Turkey: Council of the European Union: Synthesis on Member States’ practical experiences
2.    EU: Council of the European Union: Summary of conclusions of the meeting of the JHA-RELEX Working Party (JAIEX)
3.    EU: Council of the European Union: Useful: Comparative table: Commission proposal for a General Data Protection Regulation
4.    EU: Council of the European Union: Member States and "friends" gear up for "Smart Borders"
5.    UK-EU: UK government: EU agreement: Protection of Classified Information Exchanged in the Interests of the EU
6.    EU: Council of the European Union: Standing Committee on operational cooperation on internal security (COSI)
7.    EU: Council of the European Union:First consideration of the new Regulation on data protection
8.    EU: Justice and Home Affairs Council, 8 March 2012
9.    Spain: Immigration statistics from the interior ministry
10.  EU: Council of the European Union: Joint Customs Operations and Prum data exchange
11.  EU: European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS): regrets the lack of comprehensiveness
12.  CEAR press statement, Friday 16 February 2012: In response to the UN finding the Spanish State guilty for death
13.  EU: Visa Working Party: Outcome: "Non-Paper" from the Commission on Definition of short stay
14.  EU: European Ombudsman: Ombudsman investigates Frontex's fundamental rights implementation
15.  EU: Updated: Statewatch Justice and Home Affairs "e-library" archive (1976 - 2000)
16.  UK: Report: Lifting the lid on Menwith Hill: The Strategic Roles & Economic Impact of the US Spy Base in Yorkshire
17.  FRONTEX: The reinforcement of Frontex and the intensification of cooperation with third countries
18.  EU-USA: European Parliament questions on: US access to PNR data in Computer Reservation System Amadeus
19.  EU-SCHENGEN: European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS): Speech: "Data Protection and Schengen Governance"
20.  EU: EUROPEAN INVESTIGATION ORDER(EIO)
21.  MIGREUROP ANNUAL REPORT: At the margins of Europe: the externalisation of migration controls
22.  TNI - Statewatch: Counter-terrorism, 'policy laundering' and the FATF - legalising surveillance, regulating civil society
23.  ECJ: ACCESS TO EU DOCUMENTS REGULATION: Opinion of Advocate General Cruz VILLALÓN
24.  COE-UK: The United Kingdom should ensure adequate housing for Gypsies and Travellers
25.  France: Convictions stand, shorter sentences on appeal for Vincennes detention centre fire
26.  UK: PUBLIC ORDER: Association of Chief Police Officers
27.  UK: COVERT SURVEILLANCE: Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary: Report
28.  GERMANY: Parliamentary scrutiny unveils undercover "secret police networks"
29.  Italy: Rome city council warns evicted gypsies/Roma: "Accept relocation or we may have to take your children"
30.  Council of Europe: protection of individuals with regard to automatic processing of personal data

1. EU-READMISSION: Turkey: Council of the European Union: Working Party on Integration, Migration and Expulsion/Mixed Committee (EU-Iceland/Norway/Switzerland/Liechtenstein): Synthesis on Member States’ practical experiences based on delegations’ responses to questionnaire discussed at the Working Party meeting on 1 February 2012 (19 pages): http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-council-turkey-readmission-delegations-positions-7260-12.pdf

2. EU: Council of the European Union: Summary of conclusions of the meeting of the JHA-RELEX Working Party (JAIEX) on 17 February 2012 Includes: 1) SELEC-Europol cooperation  and  2) USA comments on the EU's proposed revision of the 1995 Data Protection Directive: "the US expressed serious concerns about the new proposals for a data protection Regulation and a Directive (which had at the time of the meeting not been tabled). The US stated that these proposals might be an obstacle to fruitful law enforcement cooperation": http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-council-jha-relex-wp-6758-12.pdf

3. EU: Council of the European Union: Useful: Comparative table: Commission proposal for a General Data Protection Regulation - 1995 Data Protection Directive:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-council-dp-comparative-table-7455-12.pdf

4. EU: Council of the European Union: Member States and "friends" gear up for "Smart Borders" including full set of documents from 2009 survey, member state by member state on "on the possible creation of a system of electronic recording of entries and exits of third country nationals in the Schengen area"  The Danish Council Presidency held a EU conference on "Innovation Border Management" in February 2012. It was attended by EU Member States, associate Schengen States (ie: Norway and Switzerland), Frontex, the USA, the United Arab Emirates and IATA:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/05eu-smart-borders.htm

5. UK-EU: UK government: Agreement between the Member States of the European Union, meeting within the Council, regarding the Protection of Classified Information Exchanged in the Interests of the European Union:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-uk-classified-information.pdf

6. EU: Council of the European Union: Standing Committee on operational cooperation on internal security (COSI): EU Policy Cycle process review: From OCTA to OAP:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-council-cosi-eu-policy-cycle-octa-oap-5751-rev1-12.pdf
 
and Strategic goals related to the EU's priorities for the fight against organised crime between 2011 and 2013:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-council-cosi-strategic-goals-15850-11.pdf

7.  EU: Council of the European Union:First consideration of the new Regulation on data protection: Working Party on Information Exchange and Data Protection (DAPIX): Summary of discussions: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-council-dp-wp-reg-7221-12.pdf

8.EU: Justice and Home Affairs Council, 8 March 2012: Press release:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-council-jha-8-mar-prel.pdf

"B" Points agenda (for discussion: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-council-jha-8-mar-pts-b.pdf
"A" Points - Legislative (adopted without discussion): http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-council-jha-8-mar-pts-a-legis.pdf
"A" Points - Non-legislative (adopted without discussion): http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-council-jha-8-mar-pts-a-non-legis.pdf

9. Spain: Immigration statistics from the interior ministry:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/04spain-imm-stats.htm

10. EU: Council of the European Union: Joint Customs Operations and Prum data exchange

- Joint Customs Operations (JCO) “Recommendation monitoring file”: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-council-joint-customs-op...

- Prum: Decisions" - overview of documents and procedures - overview of declarations - state of play of implementation of automated data exchange:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-council-prum-impl-overview-5086-rev1-12.pdf

11.  EU: European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS): EDPS applauds strengthening of the right to data protection in Europe, but still regrets the lack of comprehensiveness (Press release):
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-edps-dp-package-prel.pdf

Full-text of Opinion: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-edps-dp-package-opinion.pdf

On the proposed Directive on data protection for the exchange of data by law enforcement agencies the EDPS concludes: "in many aspects the Proposal does not meet the requirement of a consistent and high level of data protection". Peter Hustinx, EDPS, says: "The proposed rules for data protection in the law enforcement area are unacceptably weak. In many instances there is no justification whatsoever for departing from the rules provided in the proposed Regulation. The law enforcement area requires some specific rules, but not a general lowering of the level of data protection."

12. CEAR press statement, Friday 16 February 2012: In response to the UN finding the Spanish State guilty for the death of the Senegalese Sonko:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/02cear-press-statement.htm

13. Visa Working Party: Outcome (pdf), including "Non-Paper" from the Commission on Definition of short stay ­ Changes required in the legal acts in the area of visa policy: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-council-visa-wp-6506-12.pdf

14. EU: European Ombudsman: Ombudsman investigates Frontex's fundamental rights implementation: Letter to Frontex:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-ombuds-frontex-inquiry.pdf

15. EU: Updated: Statewatch European Monitoringand Documentation Centre (SEMDOC) Justice and Home Affairs "e-library" archive (1976 - 2000): Weekly Highlighted documents: http://www.statewatch.org/semdoc/index.php?id=1152

Update including: Interim report to the Council concerning current discussions on extradition (1993), Draft Council Recommendation concerning a specimen bilateral readmission agreement between a Member State of the EU and a third country (1994) and Cooperation in the area of public order - Use of liaison officers (Resticted, 1994)

Search JHA archive - EU Justice and Home Affairs documents from 1976 onwards: (currently holds 5,030 documents):
http://www.statewatch.org/semdoc/index.php?id=1143

16.  UK: Report: Lifting the lid on Menwith Hill: The Strategic Roles & Economic Impact of the US Spy Base in Yorkshire: "Menwith Hill is just one of the many US bases in the UK ­ this report demonstrates that not only is there a real need to discover more about the activities and impact of these bases on local communities, but they also present important challenges to the national sovereignty and inter-national standing of the UK. It seems sensible therefore that Menwith Hill is held to account."
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/uk-menwith-hill-lifting-the-lid.pdf

17. FRONTEX: The reinforcement of Frontex and the intensification of cooperation with third countries:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/01frontex.htm

18. EU-USA: European Parliament questions on: US access to PNR data in Computer Reservation System Amadeus: Eight questions: "Computer Reservation System Amadeus has its headquarters in Madrid (Spain) and its central database in Erding (Germany):
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/ep-com-veld-amadeus-question.pdf

19. EU-SCHENGEN: European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS): Speech at: Conference "Upholding Freedom of Movement: an Improved Schengen Governance" European Parliament, Brussels, 8 February 2012: "Data Protection and Schengen Governance" Peter Hustinx, European Data Protection Supervisor:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-edps-schengen-speech.pdf

20. EU: EUROPEAN INVESTIGATION ORDER(EIO): Council of the European Union: State of play in agreeing its negotiating position: Initiative of Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Spain, Austria, Slovenia and Sweden for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council regarding the European Investigation Order in criminal matters - Preamble, forms and annex related to Article 29.1 Note even here there are still 95 Member State reservations:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/eu-council-eio-7014-12.pdf

21. MIGREUROP ANNUAL REPORT: At the margins of Europe: the externalisation of migration controls (116 pages):
http://www.migreurop.org/article2074.html

22. Transnational Institute (TNI) - Statewatch: Counter-terrorism, 'policy laundering' and the FATF - legalising surveillance, regulating civil society (Press release):
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/tni-sw-fafp-prel.pdf

- Executive Summary: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/tni-sw-fafp-exec-summary.pdf
- Full text of report: http://www.statewatch.org/analyses/no-171-fafp-report.pdf

23. ECJ: ACCESS TO EU DOCUMENTS REGULATION: Opinion of Advocate General Cruz VILLALÓN delivered on 1 March 2012 Case C-135/11 P IFAW Internationaler Tierschutz-Fonds gGmbH: "Right of access to documents of the institutions - Documents originating from a Member State - Objection of the Member State to disclosure of the documents - Scope of the institutions’ review of the reasons for the Member State’s objection" and "I propose that the Court should: Allow the appeal in part by upholding the second part of the second ground of appeal, alleging misinterpretation of Article 4(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001.":
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/ecj-access-ms-opinion.pdf

24. COE-UK: The United Kingdom should ensure adequate housing for Gypsies and Travellers* (Press release):
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/coe-uk-gypsies-travellers.pdf

“The rights of Gypsies and Travellers to adequate housing are undermined throughout the United Kingdom. The authorities must uphold this right, which is a pre-condition for the enjoyment of other human rights, including the rights to education and health” stated Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, while releasing a letter addressed to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in the United Kingdom, the Rt Hon Eric Pickles.".

25. France: Convictions stand, shorter sentences on appeal for Vincennes detention centre fire:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/03france-vincesses.htm

26. UK: PUBLIC ORDER: Association of Chief Police Officers, Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and National Policing Improvement Agency: Manual of Guidance on keeping the peace: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/jan/uk-manual-public-order-2010.pdf

See also: 2004-ACPO Manual of Guidance-Public Order: Standards, Tactics, Training (Restricted version, link):
http://mob.indymedia.org.uk/media/2011/10/486401.pdf

And Ministry of Justice: Prisons: Use of force training manual: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/jan/uk-prisons-use-of-force-manual.pdf

27.  UK: COVERT SURVEILLANCE: Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary: Report: A review of national police units which provide intelligence on criminality associated with protest: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/uk-hmic-police-undercover-report.pdf

See also: Police spies: watchdog calls for safeguards over 'intrusive tactic' - Inspector criticises 'intrusion' into activists' lives by undercover officer Mark Kennedy (Guardian, link): "A clandestine operation that secretly deployed police spies in political groups for 40 years is severely criticised today by the official policing inspectorate" but says it should carry on: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/feb/02/police-spies-watchdog-tactic/print

28. GERMANY: Parliamentary scrutiny unveils undercover "secret police networks"
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/02germany-int-undercoverr.htm

29. Italy: Rome city council warns evicted gypsies/Roma: "Accept relocation or we may have to take your children"
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/01italy-roma.htm

30. Council of Europe: The Consultative Committee of the Convention for the protection of individuals with regard to automatic processing of personal data: Modernisation of Convention 108: new proposals: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/mar/coe-processing-personal-data-revision.pdf

Comment by Dr David Gordon Scott on March 9, 2012 at 10:14

Assisted Place

40^th Annual Conference of the European Group for the Study of Deviance and Social Control

 

There will be at least one assisted place at the 2012 European Group Annual Conference. The first assisted place is named in honour of the late Anna Eggert.  Through the years Anna was involved in two main issues: reproductive rights and women's empowerment. She also had a passion for understanding how fascism and racism could take hold of a society.

 

Depending on the nature of applications, we would be looking to bestow the assisted place on one person who meets some / all of the below criteria:

*       Do not have a tenured position in academia or have no means of providing alternative means of support through employment schemes.

*       An MA / PhD student / part time member of staff who is ineligible for university department/school/faculty funding to attend conferences.

*       Are confronted with other significant difficulties which would merit special support to attend the conference.

*      Currently undertaking research or activism in an area that reflects the work of Anna Eggert
*       Planning to deliver a paper at the conference on a theme that reflects the work of Anna Eggert

 

The deadline for applications is the 16th March 2012.    Those wishing to apply should write a 150-300 word statement in support of their application.  A copy of the conference paper abstract should also be included in the submission.  The conference place is free and the European Group will help support travel and accommodation up to £250 for the assisted place.  If you would like further information please contact:  David Scott dscott@uclan.ac.uk / europeangroupcoordinator@gmail.com

Comment by Dr David Gordon Scott on March 9, 2012 at 10:13

 

European Group News

March 2012

(part two)

 

Special Edition on European Group 40^th Conference

 

• Confirmed Speakers
• Call for papers
• Conference registration
• Travel details
• Accommodation
• Conference Dinner
• Conference Excursion
• Conference flyer
• final deadline for Anna Eggert Assisted Place – 16^th March 2012

 

Confirmed Speakers

 

Confirmed speakers at the 40^th Annual Conference include:

 

Emma Bell, University of Savoie

Vicky Canning, Liverpool John Moores University

Vickie Cooper, Liverpool John Moores University

Samantha Fletcher, Liverpool John Moores University

Christian Garland, University of Warwick

Stratos Georgoulas, University of the Aegean, Greece

Aaron Henry, Carleton University

William Jackson, University of Central Lancashire

Christopher McMichael, Rhodes University

Mark Neocleous, Brunel University

Maggie O’Neil, Durham University

Deniz Özçetin, Middle Eastern Technical University

Charalambos Papacharalambous, University of Cyprus

Georgios Papanicolaou, Teeside University

George Rigakos, Carlton University,

Guillermina Seri, Union College

Ragnhild Sollund, University of Oslo

Colin Webster, Leeds Metropolitan University

 

(please note: this is not intended to be a comprehensive list or representative of all the different countries that will be participating at our conference but is based on the confirmed names that have been sent to myself, largely from stream coordinators, before the 8^th March 2012.)

 

 

Call for papers

 

The 40^th Annual conference theme is 'Beyond the Wire': Regulating Division, Conflict and Resistance.  Our conference aims to explore the complexity of social conflicts and the way in which occupation (military or otherwise) can lead to the marginalisation of identifiable groups of people in societies divided by historical and territorial claims.  It will examine the meaning of going ‘beyond the wire’ or beyond the frontiers of a given conflict.  The conference intends to place deeply embedded social fault lines into context, and specifically to consider their impact on processes of criminalisation, justice and social control.  The conference organisers therefore encourage papers that will analyse social division, conflict and resistance across Europe and beyond.  The conference will seek to examine the manner in which social divisions and conflicts implicitly or explicitly underpin definitions of ‘crime’, justice, political constructions of order and ideologies of the ‘other’. 

 

 

Conference Registration

 

The Conference Registration, Hotel Accommodation, and Transfers are being handled by Tamasos Tours

Tel: +357 2276 2683, Fax: +357 2276 8984

Email: tamasos@tamasostours.com.cy

 

Conference Registration opens on 5/3/2012 and can only be made online on the Conference Online Registration Form (click here).

Prices are in EURO (€)	Early Registration Till 14/6/2012	Late Registration 15/6 – 31/7/2012
Academics	150.00	200.00
Student*	75.00	100.00
Travel Details   The recommended flight destination to Cyprus is Larnaca Airport.  On the online Conference Registration Form please fill-in the flight details section and we shall arrange the transfer for you beforehand.  Upon your Arrival at Larnaca Airport, a representative of the conference will be waiting for you at the Arrivals Hall with a sign with the Conference name (BtW Conference) and will lead you to the car that will be taking you to your hotel.   For all emergencies please call the mobile numbers: +357 9903 3952 or 357 9962 3287 Regarding your Departure, on the second day of the Conference we shall put up on a board at the Conference venue, the taxi pick-up times for each participant from his/her hotel so you will know what time you should be ready to leave your hotel.     Conference Accommodation   The conference organisers have obtained special conference rates at a selection of hotels in Nicosia that we will offer to all conference participants and accompanying persons when they register for the Conference and they book their accommodation through the Online Registration Form   Please note that the month of September is extremely high season, especially due to the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of Europe 2012, and as the number of rooms reserved in the hotel is limited, all requests will be dealt with on a first come-first served basis.   To ensure these rates, full payment should be sent upon booking and confirmation by 31/7/2012.   After this date it is still possible to make a booking via the online form, but the rooms we have reserved for the Conference will be released to the general public and accommodation and price will be subject to availability.   Hotel Single Room Double Room Distance to the Town Centre Distance to the Conference Venue Hilton Park 4 115.00 145.00 4 km / 1 km Semeli 3 145.00 165.00 1 km 6 km Classic 3 95.00 110.00 0 km 5 km

 

 

Transfer Arrangement Hotel-University of Nicosia-Hotel:

The daily transfer from the Hotels listed above to the University of Nicosia and back to the Hotels is included in the registration fee.

 

Conference Dinner

 

The Conference Dinner will be offered to all Participants at no extra charge, with the support of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation.

Transfer from/to the Tavern will be provided to all participants and accompanying persons registering for the Dinner.

Price for accompanying persons: EUR 45.00 including drinks and transfers.

 

Excursion  

 

Excusion to TO LIMASSOL & KOURION THEATRE

Price: EUR 38.00 per person

 

Description: The bus will depart from the University of Nicosia at 12:30 and head to Limassol on the south coast of the island. We will enter Limassol and drive along the sea shore till we reach the Limassol Castle which houses the Cyprus Mediaeval Museum where we will have a guided tour. We will then continue through the citrus plantations to pass by Kolossi Castle, and to visit the Cyprus Wine Museum for a short tour and video screening with the history of the wine in Cyprus, followed by a wine tasting of 2 different Cypriot indigenous varieties of wine, Commandaria wine, and Zivania with bread, raisins, kiofteri, and halloumi. Our last visit will be the ancient city of Kourion where you will admire the beautiful view from the top of the magnificent and imposing Greco-Roman Amphitheatre dating back to the 2^nd century BC.

 

 

Conference Flyer

 

Attached is the conference flyer.  Please distribute this as widely as possible.

 

Anna Eggert Assisted Place

 

Please note that the deadline for the Anna Eggert assisted place is next Friday (16^th March).

 

Comment by Sacha Darke on February 24, 2012 at 12:18

Conference flyer for the 40th Annual Conference of the
European Group for theStudy of Deviance and Social Control. Conference%20Flyer%20Cyprus%202012.pdf

Comment by Sacha Darke on February 24, 2012 at 12:12

Statewatch News Online, 23 February 2012 (4/12)
Home page: http://www.statewatch.org/
e-mail: office@statewatch.org

NEW: Statewatch launches online historical archive of EU Justice and Home Affairs documents: 1976-2000 (Press release):
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/sw-semdoc-II-prel.pdf
Unique online archive of over  4,500 official documents (rising to over 6,500 by the end of 2012)
Link to: JHA archive - EU Justice and Home Affairs documents from 1971 onwards: http://www.statewatch.org/semdoc/index.php?id=1143

1.    EU-USA:DATA PROTECTION AGREEMENT: PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF EU CITIZENS?
2.    EU: EUROPOL: No to computer-aided profiling and search from Europol!
3.    EU: Council of the European Union: Draft Conclusions strengthening of political governance in the Schengen cooperation
4.    EU: European Parliament: Hungary should respect the EU's basic values, say MEPs
5.    EU: THE FUTURE FOR DRIVING LICENCES?
6.    UK: Crown Prosecution Service: Hate crime and crimes against older people report
7.    EU: EP and Council deal on MEP access to classified information
8.    ECJ: European Court of Justice: The owner of an online social network cannot be obliged to install a general filtering system
9.    EU: Council of the European Union: Security of information agreement between the EU and NATO
10.  ECJ-ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS: Judgment
11.  EU-BULGARIA: European Commission: INTERIM REPORT
12.  European Parliament: Draft Report: on the right of access to a lawyer in criminal proceedings
13.  EU-EUROSUR: European Commission: Proposal
14.  EU: Council of the European Union: Outcome of the JHA Heads of Agencies and CSDP/European Union Police Force Training (EUPFT)
15.  European Parliament Studies: EMN Synthesis Report: Satisfying labour demand through migration
16.  EU: European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS): Review of EU financial markets legislation on data protection
17.  EU-USA: CUSTOMS
18.  ECJ: The European Parliament is taking the Council of the European Union to the European Court of Justice
19.  EU: European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS): EDPS lack of compliance of several EU institutions with Video-Surveillance Guidelines
20.  UK: EU-USA PNR AGREEMENT: UK opt-in Letter
21.  ECHR: First-time asylum seeker was not given effective remedy under fast-track procedure
22.  EU: Meijers Committee: Note on Entry Ban and the SIS-alert: an urgent need for legislative measures
23.  EU: ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS REGULATION: Secretive talks on access rules
24.  Spying on Europe’s farms with satellites and drones
25.  EU-GREECE: Greeks build fence to ward off asylum seekers

1. EU-USA:DATA PROTECTION AGREEMENT: PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF EU CITIZENS? Council of the European Union: EU-US data protection negotiations during 2011: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-council-usa-dp-agreement-2011-5999-12.pdf

"the US side has a mandate for an “Executive agreement” that does not change existing US law, nor create any new rights" ...."The US has rejected the idea to apply the agreement also to data transferred from private parties in the EU to private parties in the US and subsequently processed for law enforcement purposes by US competent authorities."

See Statewatch's Observatory on: EU-USA general agreement on data protection and the exchange of personal data:
http://www.statewatch.org/Targeted-issues/EU-USA-dp-agreement/eu-usa-dp-info-exchange-agreement.htm

2. EU: EUROPOL: No to computer-aided profiling and search from Europol!:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-profiling-and-europol-question.pdf

3.  EU: Council of the European Union: Draft Council Conclusions regarding the establishment of a procedure for the strengthening of political governance in the Schengen cooperation: "The Mixed Committee, made up of the EU Member States and the Schengen associated States, should provide the necessary political guidance for the Schengen area." The "Mixed Committee" is comprised of the 27 EU states plus Norway, Switzerland and Iceland, its decisions are not made in public:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-council-draft-conclusion-schengen-governance-6332-rev1-12.pdf

4.  EU: European Parliament: Hungary should respect the EU's basic values, say MEPs (Press release):
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/ep-hungary-eu-principles-prel.pdf

5.  EU: THE FUTURE FOR DRIVING LICENCES? European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS): Merging professional drivers' driving licence with their driver card is not fully in line with data protection principles (Press release): http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-edps-driving-licences-pr... "Giovanni Buttarelli, Assistant EDPS, states: "We seriously doubt about the necessity and the proportionality of such a measure, which has yet to be demonstrated. A consistent approach is needed from the legislator to ensure that the development of any measures concerning drivers’ data is done in full respect of data protection principles".  and Full-text of EDPS Opinion: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-edps-driving-licences-opinion.pdf

6. UK: Crown Prosecution Service: Hate crime and crimes against older people report:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/uk-cps-hate-crime-report.pdf

and see: Racist Britain' fears fuelled as hate crime prosecutions rise - Hate crime prosecutions have risen ten per cent sparking fears that discrimination is increasing in Britain (Metro, link): http://www.metro.co.uk/news/890333-racist-britain-fears-fuelled-as-hate-crime-prosecutions-rise

7. EU: European Parliament and the Council of the European Union deal on access to classified information: Draft Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament and the Council concerning the forwarding to and handling by the European Parliament of classified information held by the Council on matters other than those in the area of the Common Foreign and Security Policy:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-council-ep-classinfo-deal-6590-12.pdf

This is the final deal awaiting the parliament's formal agreement. The deal covers not just TOP SECRET, SECRET and CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS but also RESTRICTED documents the definition of which is defined as: "This marking is applied to information and material the unauthorised disclosure of which could be disadvantageous to the interests of the European Union or of one or more of the Member States." (emphasis added). There is always the temptation open to officials to push a "LIMITE" document, which is not a classified document, up to the "RESTRICTED" level to deny access as this could be "disadvantageous" and lead to a public debate.

The deal also gives EU agencies, like FRONTEX, the same powers as Member States to veto access being given to their documents. Access will require "the prior written consent of the originator" - such a power should not be available to agencies.

Overall the deal would allow "security-cleared" MEPs to have access to classified documents but they would not be able to make copies or take notes: infotmastion from the documents cannot "be disclosed to persons other than those to whom access has been granted". MEPs would have to make a "solemn declaration of non-disclosure".

8.  ECJ: European Court of Justice: The owner of an online social network cannot be obliged to install a general filtering system, covering all its users, in order to prevent the unlawful use of musical and audio-visual work (Press release):
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/ecj-filtering-internet-sites-prel.pdf

and Judgment - full-text: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/ecj-filtering-internet-sites-judgment.pdf

And see: EU court rules social networks cannot police downloads (euobserver, link):  http://euobserver.com/871/115291

9.  EU: Council of the European Union: Security of information agreement between the EU and NATO - Exchange of notes verbales between the General Secretariat of the Council and NATO:  http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-nato-council-exchange-info-6201-12.pdf

This exchange of letters confirms the continuing cooperation on the exchange of classified information between the EU and NATO. It sets out that the agreement also extends to the European External Action Service (EEAS), created under the Lisbon Treaty, and to the following bodies - Crisis management and planning directorate (CMPD), the Civilian planning and conduct capability (CPCC), EU Situation Centre (SITCEN) and the EU Military Staff (EUMS) - now part of the EEAS and which were formerly part of the General Secretariat of the Council.

10. ECJ-ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS: Judgment. The case concerned the Federal Republic of Germany telling the the Commission that it objected to access being granted to documents concerning infringement procedures.The Commission granted access to the documents and Germany took this case to the European Court of Justice. Sweden, Denmark and Finland supported the Commission position. "The principal submission made by the Federal Republic of Germany is in essence that, by failing to respect the objection of that Member State to disclosure of the documents at issue, the Commission exceeded its powers of review." The Court found in favour of the Commission: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/ecj-judgment-feb-12.pdf

11.  EU-BULGARIA: European Commission: INTERIM REPORT: On Progress in Bulgaria under the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism covering: judiciary, organised crime and corruption: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-com-bulgaria-report.pdf

12. European Parliament: Draft Report: on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the right of access to a lawyer in criminal proceedings and on the right to communicate upon arrest (7.2.12):
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/ep-draft-report-crim-proceedings.pdf

13. EU-EUROSUR: European Commission: Proposal for a Regulation Establishing the European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR):
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-com-eurosur-regulation-com-873-11.pdf

Impact Assessment  accompanying the Proposal for a Regulation establishing the European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR) (SEC 1536):
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-com-eurosur-regulation-sec-1536-11.pdf

and Annex (SEC 1538): http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-com-eurosur-regulation-sec-1538-11.pdf

14.  EU: Council of the European Union:

- Outcome of the JHA Heads of Agencies Meeting on 24 November 2011: The proposals for Justice and Home Affairs activities for 2012-2013 include six areas where cooperation between agencies could be "further enhanced" including: "the exchange of personal data amongst the agencies" The "Agencies" at this meeting were: Europol, CEPOL, Frontex, FRA, European Commission DG Justice and DG Home Affairs, OLAF, EMCDDA, Sitcen, GCS (General Secretariat of the Council). The Commission has just proposed a new Directive on the exchange of personal data by law enforcement agencies but not all of the above agencies are "law enforcement agencies" - there is clearly a need for an additional new Directive to cover their activities in exchanging personal data:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-council-cosi-jha-agency-heads-24-11-11-18075-11.pdf

- Lessons and best practices for CSDP from the European Union Police Force Training (EUPFT) 2008-2010 (28 pages): This is a report from the European External Action Service (EEAS) to the Political and Security Committee (PSC) seeking on influence police training in the EU according to the needs of the "external dimension":
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-eeas-csdp-police-training-2008-2010-18536-11.pdf

- Scorecard – Implementation of the JHA Agencies report:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-council-cosi-agencies-scoreboard-18077-11.pdf

15.  European Parliament Studies: EMN Synthesis Report: Satisfying labour demand through migration:
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/ep-study-labour-demand-and-migration.pdf

And Does it help or hinder? Promotion of Innovation on the Internet and Citizens’ Right to Privacy by RAND (Europe):
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/ep-study-internet-privacy.pdf

16. EU: European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS): Review of EU financial markets legislation has a significant impact on data protection (Press release):
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/edps-financial-markets-dp-prel.pdf

See also: Associated Opinions (link): http://www.edps.europa.eu/EDPSWEB/edps/cache/off/Consultation/OpinionsC/OC2012

17.  EU-USA: CUSTOMS: European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS): Opinion: Proposal for a Council decision on a Union position within the EU-US Joint Customs Cooperation Committee regarding mutual recognition of the Authorised Economic Operator Programme of the European Union and the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism Program of the United States: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/edps-eu-usa-customs-opinion.pdf

18. ECJ: The European Parliament is taking the Council of the European Union to the European Court of Justice: Action brought on 21 December 2011 European Parliament v Council of the European Union to: "annul Council Decision 2011/640/CFSP of 12 July 2011 on the signing and conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius on the conditions of transfer of suspected pirates and associated seized property from the European Union-led naval force to the Republic of Mauritius and on the conditions of suspected pirates after transfer.": http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/ep-ecj-council-mauritius-agreement.pdf

19. EU: European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS): EDPS outlines lack of compliance of several EU institutions and bodies with Video-Surveillance Guidelines (Press release: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/edps-cctv-follow-up-prel.pdf

and Follow-up Report to the 2010 EDPS Video-Surveillance Guidelines: "the EDPS is disappointed to see that the implementation of the Guidelines has been put on hold or significantly delayed in several institutions." http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/edps-cctv-follow-up-report.pdf

20.  UK: EU-USA PNR AGREEMENT: UK opt-in Letter: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/uk-eu-usa-pnr-opt-in-6351-12.pdf

21.  ECHR: First-time asylum seeker was not given effective remedy under fast-track procedure for examination of his case (Press release):
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/echr-judgment-im-v-france.pdf

22.  EU: The Standing Committee of experts on international immigration, refugee and criminal law (Meijers Committee): Note on the coordination of the relationship between the Entry Ban and the SIS-alert: an urgent need for legislative measures: http://www.statewatch.org/news/2012/feb/eu-meijers-cttee-note-on-the-coordination.pdf

23.  EU: ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS REGULATION: Secretive talks on access rules (Wobbing.eu, link): "Nicolai Wammen, minister of European affairs (Social Democrat) explains in a diplomatic language: ”Negotiations will be very difficult. There are very different positions in this case, both within the Council and the Parliament. As I see it the only way forward is to show a pragmatic and realistic approach. We are no having talks with all actors and we encourage forcefully to show flexibility and a will to compromise.” This might look lika an undramatic mumbo-jumbo talk. But the statement confirms that the presidency have had bilateral talks with all member states even before the formal discussions in the Council has begun: http://www.wobbing.eu/news/secretive-talks-access-rules

24. Spying on Europe’s farms with satellites and drones (BBC News, link): "Ben Hayes of the campaign group Statewatch worries that Europe is rushing into the use of drones without sufficient public discussion. "We would accept the argument that there are lots of things they can be useful for, but ... the questions about what is acceptable and how people feel about drones hovering over their farmland or their demonstration - these debates are not taking place":
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16545333

25.  EU-GREECE: Greeks build fence to ward off asylum seekers (euobserver, link): "European Commission on Tuesday (7 February) said the fence is a national issue. But it also poured scorn on the project. "Fences and walls are short-term solutions to measures that do not solve the problem. The EU is not and will not co-finance this fence ... It is pointless," a spokesman for home affairs commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom told press in Brussels":
http://euobserver.com/9/115161

Comment by Sacha Darke on February 9, 2012 at 9:01

Statewatch News Online, 8 February 2012 (3/12)
Home page: http://www.statewatch.org/
e-mail: office@statewatch.org


Statewatch launches online historical archive of EU Justice and Home Affairs documents

Press release: embargoed until 00:01, 9 February 2012

Statewatch today launches a unique online archive of over 4,500 official documents (rising to over 6,500 by the end of 2012) that chart the development of EU justice and home affairs policy over three decades.

The documents cover the period 1976 to 2000, providing a historical record of the development of EU police and security cooperation leading up to and including the ‘Maastricht’ period of European integration. The collection is unique because the EU’s own public registers of documents were launched after 2000 and include very little historical matter.

The archive covers the ‘TREVI’ Group on “Terrorism, Radicalisation and Extremist Violence”, established by the governments of the then six EEC member states in 1976, the period of “European Political Cooperation” during the 1980s, and the negotiations leading up to the Schengen and Maastricht Treaty frameworks, which set the parameters for justice and home affairs cooperation throughout the 1990s.

The fully-searchable archive includes the justice and home affairs ‘acquis’ of adopted texts and legislation, policy proposals, working party documents, communications and action plans.

It can be accessed free of charge at: http://www.statewatch.org/jha-archive.

Tony Bunyan, Statewatch Director, comments:

“The only way that external observers can really understand what’s happening in the EU is to read the documents it produces and then put those documents in an historical context. It is only once you have this full picture that you can grasp the significance of what’s being proposed or implemented.

“This collection provides a valuable resource for academics, journalists, students and citizens trying to understand the historical development of EU policy and governance. It also shines a light on a crucial period when the EU was even less open and transparent; the period that paved the way for the Europe-wide incursion into civil liberties that we have witnessed over the past decade”.

Notes for editors

1. Statewatch monitors the state and civil liberties in the EU. In 2011 its website recorded 10,288,301 million ‘hits’ and 1,198,831 million ‘user sessions’. In December 2011, Liberty awarded Tony Bunyan and Statewatch the “Human Rights “Long Walk” Award 2011 for “dedication to openness, democracy and informed debate about European institutions”: Home page: http://www.statewatch.org/

2. SEMDOC is Statewatch’s European Monitoring and Documentation Centre on EU Justice and Home Affairs policy. See: http://www.statewatch.org/semdoc/

3. Statewatch is grateful to Zennström Philanthropies for providing the financial support required to produce the online archive which involves the scanning and key-wording of each individual document.

For further information please contact:

Statewatch office: (00 44) 0208 802 1882

Or email office@statewatch.org

Comment by Dr David Gordon Scott on February 4, 2012 at 19:08

Assisted Place

40^th Annual Conference of the European Group for the Study of Deviance and Social Control

 

There will be at least one assisted place at the 2012 European Group Annual Conference. The first assisted place is named in honour of the late Anna Eggert.  Through the years Anna was involved in two main issues: reproductive rights and women's empowerment. She also had a passion for understanding how fascism and racism could take hold of a society.

 

Depending on the nature of applications, we would be looking to bestow the assisted place on one person who meets some / all of the below criteria:

*       Do not have a tenured position in academia or have no means of providing alternative means of support through employment schemes.

*       An MA / PhD student / part time member of staff who is ineligible for university department/school/faculty funding to attend conferences.

*       Are confronted with other significant difficulties which would merit special support to attend the conference.

*      Currently undertaking research or activism in an area that reflects the work of Anna Eggert
*       Planning to deliver a paper at the conference on a theme that reflects the work of Anna Eggert

 

The deadline for applications is the 28^th February 2012.    Those wishing to apply should write a 150-300 word statement in support of their application.  A copy of the conference paper abstract should also be included in the submission.  The conference place is free and the European Group will help support travel and accommodation up to £250 for the assisted place.  If you would like further information please contact:  David Scott dscott@uclan.ac.uk / europeangroupcoordinator@gmail.com

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