UK Justice and Home Affairs Committee publishes report on electronic monitoring

"Privacy International welcomes the UK House of Lord's Justice and Home Affairs Committee's investigation and subsequent report on electronic monitoring. The UK currently monitors some individuals who have interacted with the criminal justice system, and all individuals released on bail from immigration detention, through fitted GPS tags and non-fitted monitoring devices. In the immigration context, the Home Office touts electronic monitoring as a less restrictive way to maintain contact with individuals whose immigration statuses are still being decided."

"But in practice, the program is largely ineffective and rife with human rights issues. This investigation is an important step in recognising and rectifying the harms caused by electronic monitoring in immigration. Why did we engage in this process Privacy International (PI) submitted evidence regarding the use of electronic monitoring in the form of GPS tagging in the contexts of immigration bail and asylum."

The UK monitors some people who have interacted with the criminal justice system and all individuals released on bail from immigration detention using fitted GPS tags and non-fitted monitoring devices. The Home Office presents electronic monitoring in immigration as a less restrictive method to maintain contact with people whose immigration statuses are undecided. In practice the program is largely ineffective and generates serious human rights concerns. A parliamentary investigation and report into electronic monitoring in immigration represents a step toward recognising and rectifying harms. Evidence submitted argued that GPS tagging should never be used in immigration because it is dehumanising, invasive, and enables unjust government surveillance.

Read at Privacy International