EU proposes electronic system to track overstayers
This week the European Commission has presented proposals for new border management tools to the Justice and Home Council.
The package includes an ‘Entry-Exit System’ which would record the time and place of entry and exit of third country nationals, as well as tracking potential ‘overstayers’, travellers who stay beyond the authorised period of time. In addition, the Commission proposes to establish a ‘Registered Traveller Programme’ which would allow certain groups of frequent travellers from third countries to enter the EU using simplified border checks.
The Commission proposal foresees that the data recorded through the Entry-Exist System would be stored for a period of six months in ‘ordinary cases’ and for five years in cases of people who have overstayed their visa allowance.
In response, MEP Helene Flautre, Member of the Greens / EFA and Member of the EP’ LIBE Committee, has described these measures as a step closer towards ‘Big Brother’ style controls. “[This] creates a super-surveillance system at the borders of Europe” and the package is “unnecessary, expensive and harmful to the rights of persons”, MEP Flautre said.
ECRE member ProAsyl has highlighted that police in Member States will be able to access the information, which could lead to potential for misuse of the records. According to ProAsyl, the measures, if approved can jeopardise refugee movements and criminalise ‘overstayers’ who may have legitimate reasons for staying.
If the package is approved, the cost for the development and operation of the system between 2010 and 2020 has been estimated in €1.1 billion. According to the European Commission, non-EU residents contributed €271 billion to the economy when travelling to the EU in 2011.
For further information:
|
