Since the occurrence of the acts which took place on 11 September 2001 in the United States of America, the EU is speeding up the adoption of measures which are stated to be necessary to protect people within their territories by ensuring security against similar criminal acts and the consequent loss of lives. Amnesty International recognises the legitimacy for the EU and its Member States to provide for the security of their citizens and all other individuals in their territory. However, the EU must ensure that the aim of security does not undermine the very rights it seeks to safeguard, and that the principles on which the Union is founded are not compromised.