The EU is founded on the principles of respect for human dignity, liberty, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. Defending these values in the face of new threats – real and imagined – is seen as a prerequisite for maintaining societal security. To what extent is this endeavour being undermined by the EU's fixation with the development and implementation of new security technologies and repressive policies? What are the implications for nature and quality of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights in Europe? Faced with these contradictions, is the EU changing its policies, or its values?
Key note: Ben Hayes (PRIO, Statewatch and Transnational Institute)
Discussant: J. Peter Burgess (PRIO)
Chair: Kristoffer Liden (PRIO)
Ben Hayes has worked for the civil liberties organisation Statewatch since 1996, specialising in EU Justice and Home Affairs policy, inter/national security and policing. He is also a Fellow of the Transnational Institute and has worked with many other organisations including the European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights, the Open Society Foundation, the Heinrich Boll Foundation, the European Parliament and European Commission. Hayes has widely published in two main areas: (i) the impact of counter-terrorism, surveillance and border control policies on human rights, civil society and international development, (ii) the influence and activities of the defence and security industries on democratic governance. He has a PhD from Magee College (Derry/Londonderry) awarded by the University of Ulster in 2008. Ben Hayes is a researcher in the PRIO led Societal Security Network (SOURCE).
This seminar is organised by the Nordic Centre for Security Technologies and Societal Values (NordSTEVA) in collaboration with the Societal Security Network (SOURCE).
Registration via the PRIO website or per email to Vicky .
