IT systems a threat to migrants’ rights, EU agency reports

IT systems can pose significant risks to migrants’ fundamental rights according to a new European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) report.

IT systems can pose significant risks to migrants’ fundamental rights according to a new European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) report.

The use of IT systems presents “significant risks to people’s fundamental rights, for instance not being fairly treated within the asylum procedure” according to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) in a new report. However, the EU agency also acknowledges how the same systems can help trace missing migrant children and combat identity theft as well.

Data entry mistakes

Some 50 percent of European border and visa officials interviewed by FRA reported data entry mistakes in their IT systems. These included misspellings or fingerprints being assigned to the wrong person, for example.

In addition, data may be subject to hacking or accessed by oppressive regimes seeking information on asylum seekers. This shows the need for the EU and its Member States to strengthen quality assurance and safeguards controlling data access.

Force for good

However, IT systems can also be a force for good. For example, almost a third of border guards had come across children flagged as missing thanks to such technology. In addition, it can provide information about people who arrive without travel documents if they are already in the system, thus helping ensure that they are not unlawfully refused access.

Fonte: Infomigrants – 02/04/2018