The UK Government has been excluded from the adoption process of an
EU Regulation setting out a standard for an EU-wide biometric
passport, according to documents revealed by civil liberties group
Statewatch.
The UK Government has been excluded from the adoption process of an
EU Regulation setting out a standard for an EU-wide biometric
passport, according to documents revealed by civil liberties group
Statewatch.
Plans for a UK passport containing biometric identifiers have
been in the pipeline for years, linked to the proposed national
identity card scheme pushed by former Home Secretary David
Blunkett. However, when it came to approving the proposed
Regulation on EU standards for security features and biometrics in
passports and travel documents, the UK was not allowed to
participate.
The reason for this exclusion is historical: the Regulation is a
development of the controversial Schengen Information System, which
enables enforcement agencies throughout Europe to have access to a
database of reports on individuals and objects, such as cars, for
border control purposes, internal police checks and in some cases
for the purpose of issuing visas, residence permits and
administrating persons that the system defines as aliens.
It became operational in seven countries in 1995 and now covers
the bulk of the original 15 Member States, but the UK and Ireland
are only partially involved. Accordingly, they will not be bound by
the Regulation and on Monday, when the Regulation was put forward
for approval at the General Affairs Council, the UK was not
permitted to join the proceedings.
In a unilateral statement the UK Government said:
"The United Kingdom recalls that, under the
Protocols on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland and on
integrating the Schengen aquis into the framework of the European
Union, it has the right to take part in the adoption of this
measure. It regrets that it has been denied that right."
"The adoption of this measure is without
prejudice to the United Kingdom's legal position, and its right to
take such legal steps in accordance with that position as it
considers necessary."
Under the Regulation, Member States will be required to
incorporate, in new issued passports, the portrait of the holder
within 18 months, and fingerprints within three years.
