'Profoundly Undemocratic': UK Critics Slam TTIP Reading Room Restrictions

While many have been encouraged by the UK’s announcement that it "intends to establish such a reading room" in London, there are concerns that it isn’t going far enough in addressing the transparency concerns of critics. 

The UK TTIP reading room is expected to be based on similar initiatives in Brussels and Berlin, which requires lawmakers to abide by a number of rules and restrictions.

In the German reading room, MPs who register for access are only allowed to spend two hours reading the documents, while mobile phones and other electronic devices must be stored away in a secure locker.

The TTIP document is available on a computer screen that isn't connected to the Internet, and while lawmakers can make notes, they cannot copy any quotes from the consolidated texts and they cannot share the details of the agreement in public or in parliament.

In describing her experience in the German TTIP reading room, German Left Party MP Katja Kipping said the experience the process "smacks of totalitarianism".

Confidentiality Agreement 'Deplorable'

Nick Dearden, director of campaign group Global Justice Now said the public, not just MPs, should be given access to view TTIP negotiating documents.

"It’s deplorable that MPs will have to sign confidentiality documents in order to see documents in a guarded room. This affects all of us – and should be open to all of us. We think the fact that it’s not speaks volumes about TTIP."

British Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, whose question to the government triggered the announcement, said despite the positives associated with the establishment of the reading room, the whole process was "profoundly undemocratic" and shrouded in a "cloak of secrecy".

"If the same rules apply here in the UK as they do in Brussels… then MPs will be bound by a confidentiality agreement if they want to see the text. This opaque process – which shuts citizens out of this crucial debate – is profoundly undemocratic.

"Rather than kowtowing to the corporations, ministers should trust the British public to have a say on this issue by opening it up to real democratic scrutiny."

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is a trade deal being negotiated between the US government and the EU.

While proponents say it will reduce red tape and boost the economy of signature states, critics are concerned the deal will wash away labor rights and environmental protection laws, while also giving large multinational corporations unprecedented power over national governments.