Editing Statewatch (section)

== History ==
Statewatch was officially founded in 1991 as the operating arm of the Libertarian Research & Education Trust (Charity number: 1154784), which was initially set up in 1982.<ref name=":1" /> This built on the work of “State Research” (1977-1982), which produced a bi-monthly bulletin and carried out research on issues concerning state power and civil liberties in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tony Bunyan retires as Director of Statewatch after 30 years – Migration Mobilities Bristol |url=https://migration.bristol.ac.uk/2020/11/24/tony-bunyan-retires-as-director-of-statewatch-after-30-years/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=migration.bristol.ac.uk}}</ref>

=== 1990s ===
Statewatch began operating in 1991, following an initiative by the founder and subsequent director, Tony Bunyan, and a group of other individuals from across Europe who perceived a need to produce research, reporting and analysis on civil liberties issues in the context of the new EU laws, policies and institutions that would be introduced by the [[Maastricht Treaty|Treaty of Maastricht]].<ref>{{Cite journal |date=January 1997 |title=Secrecy, democracy and the European Union: the Statewatch campaign |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/030639689703800307 |journal=Race & Class |language=en |volume=38 |issue=3 |pages=76–80 |doi=10.1177/030639689703800307 |issn=0306-3968|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

The original output of this initiative was the ''Statewatch Bulletin'', which was initially published in print six times per year,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Publication {{!}} Journal |url=https://www.statewatch.org/publications/journal/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> with articles written by Statewatch staff and members of the organisation's network of contributors, based in countries across Europe. Statewatch also hosted an online database through which users could search the organisation's Library & Archive, including official EU documents. The technical limitations of the early web meant that to view material, users had to visit the organisation's office or request photocopies in the post.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statewatch {{!}} Statewatch Library & Archive |url=https://www.statewatch.org/databases/statewatch-library-archive/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref>

The online database hosted by Statewatch was part of the organisation's work to create more transparency and openness around the powers and activities of [[Institutions of the European Union|EU institutions]] developing justice and home affairs laws and policies. The organisation filed hundreds of requests for access to documents, in particular to the [[Council of the European Union|Council of the EU]], and was also able to obtain substantial numbers of documents through more informal means.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Browse Items · |url=https://statewatch.omeka.net/items/browse?collection=1 |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=statewatch.omeka.net |language=en-US}}</ref>

By 1998, Statewatch had submitted eight complaints to the [[European Ombudsman]] against the Council concerning public access to documents. As a result, the right of the Ombudsman to investigate secrecy complaints was written into the [[Treaty of Amsterdam|Amsterdam Treaty]] together with a commitment to “[[enshrine]]” the public's right of access to information in an [[Regulation (European Union)|EC Regulation]]. The organisation subsequently played a key role in a coalition of groups that fought to ensure the Regulation ensured the greatest degree of openness possible.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statewatch {{!}} Statewatch: monitoring the &quot;terror&quot; lists - proscription, designation and asset freezing |url=https://www.statewatch.org/observatories/freedom-of-information-in-the-eu/our-work/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> Many of the documents obtained during that period are now available online in the [https://www.statewatch.org/jha-archive/ Justice and Home Affairs Archive].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statewatch {{!}} JHA Archive |url=https://www.statewatch.org/jha-archive/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref>

In 1998, Statewatch received an award from the [[Campaign for Freedom of Information]] for its work on fighting for EU openness and access to documents. In 2001, the European Information Association gave Statewatch the Chadwyck-Healey Award for achievement in European Information for its work on openness and the new code of access to EU documents.<ref name=":0" />

Since 1999, Statewatch has published ''Statewatch News'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statewatch {{!}} News |url=https://www.statewatch.org/news/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> an online news service that is a source for [[News leak|documents leaked]] from within EU institutions; for other original reporting; and for the circulation of material from related groups and campaigns. The documents published by the organisation, as well as its research and reporting, are regularly reported on by mainstream media outlets<ref>{{Cite web |title=About {{!}} In the press |url=https://www.statewatch.org/about/in-the-press/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> and used by civil society organisations for their own research, campaigning and advocacy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About {{!}} Annual reports |url=https://www.statewatch.org/about/annual-reports/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== Early 2000s ===
''Statewatch Journal'' and ''Statewatch News'' covered a range of notable topics through the early 2000s. This included key issues such as the Genoa G8 protests in 2001,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statewatch {{!}} Search |url=https://www.statewatch.org/search?searchTerm=genoa+g8&isPhraseSearch=false&filters=&tags=&dateFrom=&dateTo=&currentPage=6&pageSize=20&sortDateAscending=desc |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> security and policing in Northern Ireland,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statewatch Journal |url=https://www.statewatch.org/publications/journal/vol-15-5-september-october-2005/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |series=Vol 15(5): September-October 2005 |language=en}}</ref> UK stop-and-search statistics,<ref>{{Cite web |title=UK: Stop & search: Ethnic injustice continues unabated |url=https://www.statewatch.org/news/2005/april/uk-stop-search-ethnic-injustice-continues-unabated/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> detention centres and abuses against migrants and refugees,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Border Wars and Asylum Crimes |url=https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/border-wars-and-asylum-crimes/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> and the policing of protests, in particular those organised by the anti-globalisation movement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statewatch {{!}} Search |url=https://www.statewatch.org/search?searchTerm=anti-globalisation&isPhraseSearch=false&filters=&tags=&dateFrom=&dateTo=&currentPage=2&pageSize=20&sortDateAscending=desc |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> The organisation's 10th anniversary conference in 2001 brought together hundreds of people from across Europe to discuss and debate topics such as surveillance, the role of civil society organisations in monitoring the state, racism in Europe, and freedom of information.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2001: 10th anniversary conference |url=https://www.statewatch.org/publications/events/2001-10th-anniversary-conference/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref>

During this time, Statewatch also reported on the effects of the “[[War on terror|War on Terror]]” on civil liberties, human rights and democratic standards. The organisation published news and reports on the “[https://www.statewatch.org/news/2004/march/statewatch-s-scoreboard-on-the-threats-to-civil-liberties-and-privacy-in-eu-terrorism-plans/ EU Scoreboard]”,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statewatch's "Scoreboard" on the threats to civil liberties and privacy in EU terrorism plans |url=https://www.statewatch.org/news/2004/march/statewatch-s-scoreboard-on-the-threats-to-civil-liberties-and-privacy-in-eu-terrorism-plans/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> [[George W. Bush]]’s letter to the EU,<ref>{{Cite web |title=US letter from Bush with demands for EU cooperation |url=https://www.statewatch.org/news/2001/november/us-letter-from-bush-with-demands-for-eu-cooperation/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> new measures on [[Data Retention Directive|data retention]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=European Parliament caves in on data retention |url=https://www.statewatch.org/news/2002/may/european-parliament-caves-in-on-data-retention/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> and the [[Passenger name record|surveillance of air travel and profiling of passengers]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=US demands EU airlines and ships provide passengers list |url=https://www.statewatch.org/news/2003/february/us-demands-eu-airlines-and-ships-provide-passengers-list/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> amongst others. With the [[American Civil Liberties Union]] and [[Privacy International]], they launched the [https://web.archive.org/web/20061011024142/https://policylaundering.org/ Policy Laundering project], analysing how governments were writing [[Counterterrorism|counter-terrorism]] measures into law by passing them through international organisations, rather than national parliaments.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-10-11 |title=The Policy Laundering Project |url=https://policylaundering.org/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061011024142/https://policylaundering.org/ |archive-date=2006-10-11 }}</ref> They also kept several observatories, including one on the [[Passenger name record|Passenger Name Record Directive]], and produced a number of in-depth publications, including [https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/countering-civil-rights/ Countering Civil Rights],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Countering Civil Rights |url=https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/countering-civil-rights/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> [https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/the-war-on-freedom-and-democracy/ The War on Freedom and Democracy],<ref>{{Cite web |title=The War on Freedom and Democracy |url=https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/the-war-on-freedom-and-democracy/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> and [https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/journalism-civil-liberties-and-the-war-on-terrorism/ Journalism, Civil Liberties and the "War on Terrorism"] (with the [[International Federation of Journalists]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Journalism, Civil Liberties and the "War on Terrorism" |url=https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/journalism-civil-liberties-and-the-war-on-terrorism/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref>

Statewatch also contributed to research on the [[technological solutionism]] of governments that gained momentum during the [[Timeline of the War on Terror|War on Terror]]. Measures introduced by the EU and European national governments frequently relied on the promise of new technologies to detect or prevent terrorism and crime. Statewatch primarily focused on the EU security research programme, which funds the development of new security and [[surveillance technologies]].

In collaboration with the [[Transnational Institute]], the organisation published the reports [https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/arming-big-brother-the-eu-s-security-research-programme/ Arming Big Brother: the EU's Security Research Programme] (in 2006),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Arming Big Brother: the EU's Security Research Programme |url=https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/arming-big-brother-the-eu-s-security-research-programme/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> and [https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/neoconopticon-the-eu-security-industrial-complex/ NeoConOpticon: The EU Security-Industrial Complex (2009)],<ref>{{Cite web |title=NeoConOpticon: The EU Security-Industrial Complex |url=https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/neoconopticon-the-eu-security-industrial-complex/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> which documented and analysed the ways in which the EU was using public funding to support the development of controversial and intrusive new security technologies, in many cases by large military and defence corporations. In 2009, Statewatch also published [https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/the-shape-of-things-to-come/ The Shape of Things to Come], which warned that the EU had embarked on several highly controversial paths, including harnessing [[Digitization|digitisation]] to gather personal details on the everyday lives of everyone living in the [[European Union]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Shape of Things to Come |url=https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/the-shape-of-things-to-come/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref>

Statewatch was one of few organisations focusing on [[Policy measures of the European Union|EU policy]] with regard to [[civil liberties]] and [[human rights]] at this time. Through this work, the organisation became recognised as a crucial information source at a time when the internet was not fully embedded in everyday life.<ref name=":0" /> Amongst the subscribers to the Bulletin/Journal were governmental institutions, social centres, activist groups, universities, and thousands of individuals; the Statewatch website received (and continues to receive) hundreds of thousands of hits every year.<ref name=":1" />

=== 2010s ===
Statewatch continued work along similar themes into the 2010s. It continued producing the quarterly editions of the Bulletin/Journal, articles published via ''Statewatch News'', and gave talks and presentations at events and conferences in countries across Europe. A conference held in 2011 for the 20th anniversary of the organisation once again brought together hundreds of people from across Europe for workshops and panel discussions on [[border control]], [[immigration]] and [[Right of asylum|asylum]]; [[Mass surveillance|state surveillance]]; the policing of [[protest]]; and [[racism]] and [[Islamophobia]], amongst other topics. <ref>{{Cite web |title=2011: 20th anniversary conference |url=https://www.statewatch.org/publications/events/2011-20th-anniversary-conference/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |publisher=Statewatch |language=en}}</ref>

Statewatch published two in-depth reports on drones during this period: [https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/back-from-the-battlefield-domestic-drones-in-the-uk/ Back from the battlefield: domestic drones in the UK], and [https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/eurodrones-inc/ Eurodrones, Inc].The reports, published at a time when states were seeking to find ways to make it possible to fly drones in civil airspace, argued that the technology would enhance the powers of agencies such as the [[police]], yet were being treated as a technical matter that did not merit democratic or public debate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Back from the battlefield: domestic drones in the UK |url=https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/back-from-the-battlefield-domestic-drones-in-the-uk/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |publisher=Statewatch |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Eurodrones, Inc. |url=https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/eurodrones-inc/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |publisher=Statewatch |language=en}}</ref>

At the same time, the growing spread and use of the web to access information led to a decline in the number of subscribers to the Statewatch Bulletin/Journal. The final edition was published in 2014,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statewatch {{!}} Journal |url=https://www.statewatch.org/publications/journal/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |publisher=Statewatch |language=en}}</ref> with articles intended for an edition that was never to make it to print published as an online collection.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statewatch: Essay collection: The EU and Uncle Sam |url=https://www.statewatch.org/publications/journal/essay-collection-the-eu-and-uncle-sam/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |publisher=Statewatch |language=en}}</ref> ''Statewatch News'' continued publication, providing access to a wide array of articles, press releases, sources, and hundreds of leaked EU documents every year.

Prominent amongst that output were articles exposing the [[European Commission]] providing funding to set up surveillance systems prior to legislation being passed;<ref>{{Cite web |title=EU: Travel surveillance: PNR by the back door |url=https://www.statewatch.org/news/2014/october/eu-travel-surveillance-pnr-by-the-back-door/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |publisher=Statewatch |language=en}}</ref> joint EU police operations targeting [[Irregular migration|irregular migrants]];<ref>{{Cite web |title=EU: On Monday 13 October, the EU's latest migrant hunt begins |url=https://www.statewatch.org/news/2014/october/eu-on-monday-13-october-the-eu-s-latest-migrant-hunt-begins/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |publisher=Statewatch |language=en}}</ref> the provision of hundreds of millions of euros for the development of drone technology;<ref name=":2" /> and EU funding for remote car-stopping technology,<ref>{{Cite web |title=EU: Multi-million euro research project aims to stop "non-cooperative vehicles" with microwaves and electromagnetic pulses |url=https://www.statewatch.org/news/2013/april/eu-multi-million-euro-research-project-aims-to-stop-non-cooperative-vehicles-with-microwaves-and-electromagnetic-pulses/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |publisher=Statewatch |language=en}}</ref> amongst other things. These articles received substantial coverage in the mainstream press and were also used by a wide variety of other groups for their work: for example, activists campaigning against [[racial profiling]] by the police,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crowdsourced map helps migrants evade European crackdown |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/program/the-stream/2014/10/14/crowdsourced-map-helps-migrants-evade-european-crackdown/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> or [[Member of the European Parliament|MEPs]] seeking to stop EU legislation on the mandatory police [[Passenger name record|surveillance of air travel]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=VELD |first=Sophia IN 'T |title=Parliamentary question {{!}} Commission funding of national Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems {{!}} E-002866/2016 {{!}} European Parliament |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-8-2016-002866_EN.html |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.europarl.europa.eu |language=en}}</ref>

As a partner in the project [https://www.statewatch.org/projects/secile-does-counter-terrorism-just-counter-terrorism/ Securing Europe through Counter-terrorism: Impact, Legitimacy and Effectiveness (SECILE)], Statewatch led the workstream on researching EU [[Anti-terrorism legislation|counter-terrorism legislation]] and conducted a 'stocktake' of EU counter-terrorism measures enacted since [[September 11 attacks|11 September 2001]], as well as collecting and analysing data about their implementation and assessment. This provided an empirical basis for other aspects of the project. Statewatch's research found that between legislative and non-legislative instruments, the EU had adopted at least 239 separate counter-terrorism measures since 9/11. 88 of those (36%) were legally binding, yet just three public consultations had been held, and only 22 impact assessments were conducted by the [[European Commission]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statewatch: SECILE (Securing Europe through Counter-terrorism: Impact, Legitimacy and Effectiveness) |url=https://www.statewatch.org/news/2016/september/statewatch-secile-securing-europe-through-counter-terrorism-impact-legitimacy-and-effectiveness/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref>

In 2017, the report [https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/market-forces-the-development-of-the-eu-security-industrial-complex/ Market forces: the development of the EU security-industrial complex] provided an update on the themes that were first examined in the reports [https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/arming-big-brother-the-eu-s-security-research-programme/ Arming Big Brother: the EU's Security Research Programme] and [https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/neoconopticon-the-eu-security-industrial-complex/ NeoConOpticon: The EU Security-Industrial Complex]. The report highlighted the ongoing provisions of millions of euros in public funding to major weapons and IT corporations, many of whom also played a role in determining the priorities of the research programme.

At the same time, Statewatch was engaged in a major effort to draw public and political attention to the EU's “[[interoperability]]” agenda, through which a number of large policing and migration databases would be interconnected, and a “Common Identity Repository” to store data on up to 300 million foreign nationals in the EU would be constructed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EU: Interoperability of Justice and Home Affairs databases: a "point of no return" |url=https://www.statewatch.org/observatories/interoperability-eu-big-brother-database/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref>

This led to cooperation with the [[PICUM|Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM)]], through the publication of [https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/data-protection-immigration-enforcement-and-fundamental-rights-what-the-eu-s-regulations-on-interoperability-mean-for-people-with-irregular-status/ Data Protection, Immigration Enforcement and Fundamental Rights: What the EU's Regulations on Interoperability Mean for People with Irregular Status]. This report analysed the potential effects of the interoperability architecture for people living in the EU without official documents.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statewatch {{!}} Data Protection, Immigration Enforcement and Fundamental Rights: What the EU's Regulations on Interoperability Mean for People with Irregular Status |url=https://www.statewatch.org/publications/reports-and-books/data-protection-immigration-enforcement-and-fundamental-rights-what-the-eu-s-regulations-on-interoperability-mean-for-people-with-irregular-status/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> The following year, Statewatch published [https://www.statewatch.org/automated-suspicion-the-eu-s-new-travel-surveillance-initiatives/ Automated suspicion: The EU's new travel surveillance initiatives], a report that analysed how the EU's “interoperable” databases would introduce the algorithmic profiling of all travellers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statewatch {{!}} Automated suspicion: The EU's new travel surveillance initiatives |url=https://www.statewatch.org/automated-suspicion-the-eu-s-new-travel-surveillance-initiatives/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref> In 2019, the organisation was awarded the [[Hostwriter]] Story Prize as part of a consortium of journalists working on the project [https://www.statewatch.org/projects/invisible-borders/ Invisible Borders], which investigated the introduction of biometric identity controls by European and African governments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Projects {{!}} Invisible Borders |url=https://www.statewatch.org/projects/invisible-borders/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.statewatch.org |language=en}}</ref>