Ukraine found itself at the center of discussions surrounding a new draft law on video surveillance in public places. Political experts and human rights defenders express serious concerns about the possible consequences of this law for the privacy of citizens and the protection of their rights. In particular, political expert Volodymyr Yavorsky claims that this draft law is more reminiscent of the standards of China and Russia, where mass surveillance of the population is part of the state policy of control.
That way we will never get into the EU. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, through people's deputies, submitted draft law No. 11031 on video surveillance in public places. It embodies all the standards of China and the Russian Federation and no standard for the protection of human rights, referring to general norms.
It is actually very rare recently that a draft law does not take into account human rights standards at all. Usually, at least something is taken into account. And here - a complete zero. Even the most basic standards.
The project creates a system of total surveillance of all citizens, as it allows not only video surveillance, but also identification of persons by biometric data, automatic data verification with other registers. In fact, it is possible to collect information about the movement of any person in public spaces in a short time and review all this when needed. This can be used against political opponents, business competitors, search for compromising material, etc.
The conclusion of the Parliamentary Committee on Ukraine's Integration into the European Union: the draft law contradicts the goals of the Association Agreement and Ukraine's international legal obligations, as well as the acquis (legal system. — F.) of the EU.
There is no financial justification at all. But this is a separate story, I highly advise journalists to investigate. Even a few years before the war, the Ministry of Internal Affairs starts an experimental project under which it buys Chinese video surveillance equipment for many millions of dollars. "Schem" journalists previously mentioned that Russian equipment was also used. That is, they buy Chinese cameras and equipment, which, for example, in the USA is prohibited to buy due to a threat to national security. I am sure there is much to be found in these equipment procedures that are interesting and perhaps even corrupt, it does not contribute to national security. And every next year we will pay millions to implement this system.
Despite all this, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Leonid Tymchenko speaks publicly and promotes the draft law. In my opinion, there are big questions about the professional suitability of people who not only developed it, but also registered it in the parliament, and now they are promoting it, because it exists on a completely different planet and in a different system of values.
