For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
Washington, D.C.- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today joined German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière and German Constitutional Court President Andreas Vosskuhle to deliver remarks about collaborative international efforts to prevent, deter and disrupt international terrorism while respecting individual privacy at Georgetown University Law Center.
"Terrorism is a global threat that requires innovative and effective international coordination," said Secretary Napolitano. "The United States is committed to strengthening our partnerships with Germany and other international allies to combat evolving threats while protecting the privacy rights and liberties of our citizens."
In her remarks, Secretary Napolitano underscored the critical role played by the DHS Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and the DHS Privacy Office in designing new security measures and highlighted the important work undertaken by the U.S.-European Union High-Level Contact Group on counterterrorism and privacy policy - resulting in a series of privacy protection principles that provide a strong framework for enhanced information-sharing.
Secretary Napolitano also stressed the Department’s continued commitment to ensuring American citizens have access to efficient and effective programs such as the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program or "DHS TRIP," which serves as a single point of contact for any travelers who have inquiries or difficulties in their travel screening.
On April 11, Secretary Napolitano met with African security officials in Abuja, Nigeria, resulting in a joint declaration to strengthen the international civil aviation system. This meeting built on several recent major international meetings in which Secretary Napolitano has participated that have resulted in similar statements - coordinated with the International Civil Aviation Organization - among the United States and Asia/Pacific partners on March 13, among the United States and Western Hemisphere partners on Feb. 17, and among the United States and European partners on Jan. 21.
For more information, visit www.dhs.gov.
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