Europese Raad: voorstel uitbreiding Eurodac database

EU interior ministers are negotiating with members of the European Parliament to expand the scope and accessibility of the EU database Eurodac. The reform of the database would widen it to include irregular migrants, and children from the age of 6 (previously from 14 years old).

The scope of the Eurodac Regulation would include the possibility for member states to store and search data belonging to third-country nationals or stateless persons who are irregularly in the EU. The database would include biometric data like face scans, fingerprint scans and other data. It also introduces sanctions, including the possibility to use means of coercion to extract the data. Coercive administrative sanctions include detention as a last resort when a person (including a child) refuses to provide fingerprints and facial image, unless the refusal is due to damaged fingertips or facial image and the person is deemed vulnerable or a child. Where there are suspicions of child protection or safeguarding risks and the child refuses to provide their biometric data, they should be referred to national child protection authorities.

To view the Eurodac proposal, click here.