The Association of Austrian Judges and the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) organized a Conference in Vienna on June 19th, 2009.

The conference addresses the challenge posed to fundamental rights protection by new technical tools developed to investigate and combat crime. Growing reliance on such technologies elevates the importance of those institutions charged with oversight of their use. In this regard the role of the judiciary is central to our discussions. Furthermore, regulation and use of such technologies is increasingly determined through measures adopted at the European or broader international level. Therefore it is all the more pertinent for judges from different jurisdictions to exchange experiences and conduct a dialogue on how to face these common challenges. Following the initiative of its special section for fundamental rights and interdisciplinary exchange the Association of Austrian Judges in collaboration with the Fundamental Rights Agency therefore invited judges of all European States to meet in Vienna and participate in this discussion. The invitation was distributed by the two European wide Associations (European Association of Judges EAJ and Magistrats Européens pour la Démocratie et les Libertés MEDEL), so that judges of both organizations can contribute to find a common standpoint on some of the important questions concerning the judiciaries in Europe. Here you find all the conference documents together with a list of relevant links:

• programme

Keynote Presentations and Pannel Discussions:

• Surveillance, Data Protection and the Role of the EU-Agency for Fundamental Rights
• Abstract Data Protection and the Role of the FRA, Niraj Nathwani (FRA)
• Technical Background - Telephone, Christian  W. Schaumann (t-mobile)
• Abstract Legal Interception in Telekommunications, Christian W. Schaumann (t-mobile)
• Technical Background - Internet, Wolfgang Schwabl (mobilkom Austria)
• Legal Restrictions - Surveillance and Fundamental Rights, Giovanni Buttarelli (Assistant Europeant Data Protection Supervisor)
• Interception of Communication and Data Retention, Clare Ovey (Registry of European Court of Human Rights)
• Abstract Interception of Communication and Data Retention, Clare Ovey (ECHR)

Workshops:

• Workshop 1 - Data Retention - Conflikt with fundamental Rights - Results
• Abstract Data Retention - Conflicts with Fundamental Rights, Hannes Tretter, Christof Tschohl (BIM)
• Workshop 2 -Online and Other Forms of Surveillance - the Erosion of Privacy
• Workshop 2 - Results
• Abstract Online and Other Forms of Surveillance, Christian Pilnacek
• Workshop 3 - European and National Watchdogs - their Role in Protecting Fundamental Rights
• Workshop 3 - Results
• Workshop 4 - Institutional Standsrds for Securin the Protection of Fundamental Rights - the Role of the Judiciary, Vito Monetti (MEDEL)
• Workshop 4 - Results

further informations:

• list of links
• list of participants