From Statewatch:
EU member states have finalised a set of “non-binding” criteria for assessing when someone may be labelled a potential terrorist or violent extremism threat. The intention is to feed European databases such as the Schengen Information System (SIS) and the Europol Information System (EIS), as well as Europol analysis projects such as “Hydra” and “Traveller”, according to a note circulated by the Belgian Council Presidency last month.
The goal of the new criteria “is to promote entering such individuals into the European databases and information systems,” says the note (pdf).
Analysis project (AP) Hydra, one of two Europol files mentioned in the note, targets activities involving Muslims, aiming:
“…to support the prevention and combating of terrorism-related crimes against life, limb, personal freedom or property, and related criminal offences, perpetrated by individuals, groups, networks or organisations who evoke Islam to justify their actions”.
AP Travellers, meanwhile:
“…coordinates investigations into, and data analysis on, foreign terrorist fighters, and supports law enforcement efforts to counter foreign fighters when they return to Europe or the US from i.e. Syria or Iraq. In response to the concerted efforts of EU Member States, with Europol’s help, the amount of data on foreign terrorist fighters within AP Travellers has increased substantially since early 2015.”
The note stresses that the sharing of information on people considered potential terrorists or violent extremists “cannot be used for investigations” without prior or subsequent mutual legal assistance requests.
Read more at Statewatch.
h/t, Joe Cadillic