Ethnic origin row on police database
Plans to include people’s geographical origins have been attacked as a bid to get round a ban on giving ethnic origins
PLANS for two new police databases on gangs and terrorism have been attacked because they include mention of people’s “geographical origin”, sparking fears it is a way of getting round a ban on mentioning ethnic or racial origin.
Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux issued a decree allowing the setting-up of the databases and has been criticised for not taking his plans to the National Assembly.
The new files replace controversial proposals last year which would have contained information on people’s sexual orientation as well as their ethnic or racial origin.
STORY: Database provokes civil rights anger
Socialist MP Delphine Batho deplored the method chosen by the government to set up the new databases, saying it was a way of dodging parliament despite having a majority.
She was joined in her attack by human rights groups. The Council Representing Black Associations (Cran) said the proposal to include geographic origins was a bid to circumvent the prohibition on using ethnic origin.
The Interior Ministry has said the new database would not “under any circumstances” contain data on racial or ethnic origin. However, the mention of geographical origin is vital, especially in the fight against terrorism.
