JOINT STATEMENT: THE RISK OF RACIAL PROFILING IN THE ARTICLE 5 OF THE EU SCREENING REGULATION

Brussels, Belgium – EU legislators are weighing worrying measures that could exacerbate racial profiling despite its prevalence across the bloc. The European Network Against Racism, alongside over 80 civil society voices, shares concerns over Article 5 in the proposed EU Screening Regulation, a cornerstone of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

ENAR expresses concerns regarding the potential retention of Article 5 in the proposed EU Screening Regulation, one of key legislative files encompassing the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, during trilogue negotiations.

This provision would extend the application of screening procedures not only to people apprehended at the borders, but to all undocumented individuals apprehended within the territories of member states. The screening will entail procedures where member states’ officials will carry out security and identity checks in facilities at the borders or other designated locations. In practice, this will imply detaining the person, or at least restricting their freedom of movement.

We call on the co-legislators to delete Article 5 from the proposed Screening Regulation, in line with the European Parliament position. We also express strong concerns at the glaring inconsistency between the commitments under the EU Action Plan against Racism with respect to ending racial profiling and the introduction of provisions that would legitimise widespread discriminatory practices under EU legislation.

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