Protect children from online sexual abuse: we call for urgent negotiations and permanent solution
After a no-deal on a trialogue on combating sexual abuse earlier this week, Renew Europe calls Member States to continue negotiations immediately, with a clear mandate to find a permanent solution. Renew Europe’s priority is to conclude a robust, long-term EU framework to combat child sexual abuse online while fully respecting fundamental rights. A new derogation would strongly risk delaying the main file negotiations. The EU Parliament should remain focused on securing an ambitious agreement on the permanent Regulation laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse (CSAM).
Hilde Vautmans, Renew shadow on CSAM, said:
“We are too close to a permanent solution to lose momentum now. Reopening the interim derogation would not move negotiations forward - it would only risk weakening Parliament's position and slowing down the agreement Europe urgently needs. Our priority must remain a strong, permanent Regulation that protects children, provides legal certainty and delivers lasting results. We are ready to come back to the negations table immediately and expects Member States to do the same and come with a clear mandate.
This is the third time the interim derogation is been renewed. If we want to protect children and our privacy, there can be no more temporary extensions-we need a permanent solution
Hilde VautmansRenew Europe MEP, Belgium, Anders
Liberals and Democrats are clear: reopening discussions on the interim derogation next week at this stage could delay progress on the comprehensive legislation that victims, law enforcement and online platforms all need. The interim derogation, that will be voted next week, represents only one small part of the fight against online child sexual abuse. The most measures and arsenal needed are a subject of the main legislative file. This is what is at risk - everything beyond voluntary detection: a designated competent authority in each Member State, a strong EU Agency with strong capacities, blocking, removal and delisting orders, a binding detection-orders system to force platforms to act, with strong safeguards and last, but not least - prevention: including a list of mandatory preventive measures protecting children on platforms targeting children.
Irena Joveva, Renew Shadow rapporteur on the CSA temporary extension, said:
“The Council’s attempt to bully the European Parliament into accepting yet another temporary rule to scan our private messages is irresponsible and unacceptable. They had the chance to find a balanced compromise months ago that targeted online predators without violating citizens' privacy, but they refused to budge on safeguards. This would enable temporary relief but only to find a permanent solution on the main file which protects the children in many ways not just scanning of private messages. Now, they are forcing us into a rushed vote using dirty tricks and political pressure. We cannot allow the Council to trap this Parliament in an infinite loop of temporary exemptions just to avoid negotiating the real, permanent law. This is a cynical attempt to avoid responsibility and set up a blame game. I sincerely hope a majority of our house will stand firm and defend both the privacy of our citizens and the integrity of our institution.”
Renew Europe Group’s position has been consistent throughout all negotiations, including the one that ended without a deal on Monday. The path towards a harmonised legal framework for preventing and combating the sexual exploitation of children in the digital world is open and we urge for a permanent solution.