May 2008

Sarah speaking about safe harbor agreements for business data

Wednesday 07 May 2008

Madam President in 2000 there was an agreement on safe harbor arrangements for business data transferred to the US. But we have never got beyond that to draw up common transatlantic standards. What is happening increasingly is the transfer of commercial data notably passenger data but also banking and telecom data to public authorities for security purposes.

This is not the context to raise the civil liberties concerns but there is an important economic dimension. Obviously if business travelers experience undue delays that is a cost. But even more burdensome is the considerable cost imposed on companies.

Sarah speaking about the role of the EU in prosecuting war crimes in Darfur

Wednesday 07 May 2008

Mr President I say firstly - and directly to the Commission and the Council - that the EU needs to give serious support to the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to implement the indictment of two individuals who have allegedly perpetrated human rights abuses in Darfur one of them a serving minister in the Sudanese Government. The EU response has so far been weak which considering that we claim the credit - or much of the credit - for creating the ICC is pretty shameful.

MEP launches Euro-campaign against 'Mosquitos'

Wednesday 07 May 2008

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford has today launched a campaign in the European Parliament to ban Mosquito devices used to disperse allegedly troublesome teenagers. Using technology originally designed to scare away vermin the 'Mosquito' emits a very high frequency buzzing sound which supposedly cannot be heard by people over the age of 25. In the UK3500 have been deployed often by shops.

Closing Guantanamo - Congressional leader accepts Brussels invitation

Thursday 08 May 2008
Sarah takes opposition to Guantanamo to the US congress

Sarah takes EU opposition to Guantanamo to the US congress

A boost to the prospect of closing Guantanamo has come from recent events in the European Parliament and the US Congress and the cooperation between them.

Essex Road Post Office saved!

Friday 09 May 2008
Sarah Nick Clegg and Islington Lib Dems campaign to save Essex Road Post Office

Sarah Nick Clegg and Islington Lib Dems campaign to save Essex Road Post Office

Success in keeping open Essex Road post office in Islington has resulted from a determined campaign by local Liberal Democrats led by parliamentary spokeswoman Bridget Fox and supported by London's Lib Dem MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford and by leader Nick Clegg MP.

UK Sikh visit to the European Parliament ends in protest

Friday 09 May 2008
Sarah with Sikhs outside the European Parliament

Sarah meets with Sikhs outside the European Parliament

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford yesterday met a delegation from the Sikh Federation UK on their visit to Brussels although the intended delegation to the European Parliament ended in a frustrated protest outside when for the third year running delegates were not allowed to enter the building.

Sarah Ludford on safe harbour arrangements

Tuesday 13 May 2008

ALDE logoLast week in the European Parliament Sarah Ludford spoke in the European Parliament about safe harbour arrangements. She said:

"Madam President in 2000 there was an agreement on safe harbour arrangements for business data transferred to the US. But we have never got beyond that to draw up common transatlantic standards. What is happening increasingly is the transfer of commercial data notably passenger data but also banking and telecom data to public authorities for security purposes.

Sarah calls for EU support of the International Criminal Court

Tuesday 13 May 2008

Sarah has spoken in the European Parliament about the situation in Darfur and the need for the EU to fully support the International Criminal Court's action against human rights abuses. Sarah said:

"Mr President I say firstly - and directly to the Commission and the Council - that the EU needs to give serious support to the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to implement the indictment of two individuals who have allegedly perpetrated human rights abuses in Darfur one of them a serving minister in the Sudanese Government. The EU response has so far been weak which considering that we claim the credit - or much of the credit - for creating the ICC is pretty shameful.