Anthony Barnett (London, OK): I've been taking another look at the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights (opens as pdf). As I wrote in OK, when I first looked at it it seemed great and I asked why we should not sign it. In particular, according to Spyblog these principles seemed designed to protect us from a database state:
Article 6
Right to liberty and security
Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person.
Article 7
Respect for private and family life
Everyone has the right to respect for his or her private and family life, home and communications.
Article 8
Protection of personal data
1. Everyone has the right to the protection of personal data concerning him or her.
2. Such data must be processed fairly for specified purposes and on the basis of the consent of the
person concerned or some other legitimate basis laid down by law. Everyone has the right of access to data which has been collected concerning him or her, and the right to have it rectified.
3. Compliance with these rules shall be subject to control by an independent authority.
I have just been talking to a friend more expert than I - though not a professional 'expert' in these matters. He warned me against my enthusiasm. These clauses of the Charter could be used to prevent investigative journalism. A wealthy crook, hearing that someone is researching his affairs could demand to see the file on him and could then identify the sources.
Worse, there seems to be no fundamental right to free expression. Article ten says
Article 10
Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right includes freedom
to change religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or in private, to manifest religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
So you can privately hold whatever views you wish. But if you want to express them, or research them to see if they are well founded, watch out! A Charter of this sort has to empower the powerless against the accumulated might of wealth and the state. Is it right to see the EU Charter as doing the opposite and being Napoleonic in its values? Any links and help on this appreciated.
