'EU must find solution on body scanners' - EPP

"The European Union must find a solution that meets the respect of human rights as well the security demands of citizens in the face of terrorist attacks," Luis de Grandes Pascual MEP, who is the EPP spokesperson on this report, insisted.

The European Commission has presenting a communication on the use of this technology and now it was up to the Transport and Tourism and Civil Liberties committees of the European Parliament to debate the proposal.

Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil is also the EPP’s spokesperson on the Civil Liberties Committee of the EP.

"However, caution shall not mean we must not act without assurance, as we cannot leave European citizens vulnerable to face international terrorism," de Grandes Pascual warned. "We must be receptive and able to deliver a solution that balances the defence of human rights and the value of security that citizens demand in the face of terrorism."

De Grandes Pascual pointed out that a solution based on body scanners should offer “complete guarantees on human health and respect of rights of individuals and that alternative security checks should be in place at the same time for vulnerable persons. Every passenger should also be informed beforehand on the use of body scanners,” he concluded.

De Grandes Pascual and Busuttil welcomed the effort made by the Commission when presenting this report on body scanners which was requested by the plenary and highlighted that they shared “some of its conclusions, such as the position whereby the only way to guarantee the same security rules in all EU airports is to find a European solution".