After France tightened border controls, and Denmark partially introduced border controls, the Netherlands also intends to introduce a system of surveillance cameras on the border with Germany and Belgium from next year, Deutsche Vele reports.
An automatic surveillance system will be installed at 15 large border crossings towards Germany and Belgium. The cameras will record vehicles from January 1, 2012, and compare data, such as the origin of the car, against a list of suspicious cars and certain risk profiles. If the system reacts, the police stops the driver. The plans reported by the Dutch media were confirmed by the Dutch Ministry of Migration.
Such a step could cause a new debate on borders within the European Union. In April, due to fear of refugees from North Africa, France tightened border controls with Italy. Last summer, Denmark partially introduced permanent controls at its external borders - although the 1995 Schengen agreement only provides for controls in exceptional cases. EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström and the member states have been discussing the revision of the treaty for several months. Detailed information was requested from The Hague and a review of the entire case is announced, and whether the Dutch behavior is in accordance with European treaties was confirmed by the European Commission.
Such a step could cause a new debate on borders within the European Union
According to the migration ministry, the checks are aimed at combating people smuggling and illegal immigration. Mobile cameras will also be installed at smaller border crossings. The Minister of Justice plans to present a draft law this winter, according to which the state has the right to keep images and data for four weeks. On highways within the Netherlands, car license plates are already photographed and drivers are checked to see if they have paid any fines.
However, the government's plans are also met with indignation in the Netherlands itself.
"Citizens have the right to live without being monitored and spied on," asserts Rotterdam-based legal expert Inez Veski.
"Systematic and total surveillance" violates the European Convention on Human Rights. In Germany, in 2008, the Constitutional Court banned the automatic photography of license plates.
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