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Reducing Ethnic Profiling in the European Union - Open Society ...

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ImmigrationThe Equality Act covers <strong>the</strong> United K<strong>in</strong>gdom Borders Agency (UKBA) but <strong>in</strong>cludesa limited exemption that allows certa<strong>in</strong> immigration decisions (such as prioritiz<strong>in</strong>garriv<strong>in</strong>g passengers for exam<strong>in</strong>ation and remov<strong>in</strong>g persons who are <strong>in</strong> violation ofimmigration status or rules) on <strong>the</strong> grounds of nationality. The exemption is applicableonly if specifically legislated or authorized by <strong>the</strong> M<strong>in</strong>ister for Immigration. 63The Risk Assessment Unit of <strong>the</strong> UKBA produces a quarterly list of nationalities whichmay be subjected to additional scrut<strong>in</strong>y. The nationalities covered by <strong>the</strong> authorizationare reviewed quarterly by <strong>the</strong> UKBA and submitted for m<strong>in</strong>isterial approval.The authorization sets criteria for <strong>in</strong>clusion on <strong>the</strong> nationality list, but <strong>the</strong>se criteria<strong>in</strong>clude decisions made by immigration officials (such as visa refusals) which may<strong>the</strong>mselves conta<strong>in</strong> bias. The UK does not publish <strong>the</strong> list of nationalities.NORTHERN IRELANDStatutory Duty with Exemptions <strong>in</strong> Non-Discrim<strong>in</strong>ation LegislationThe Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Ireland Act 1998 <strong>in</strong>troduced a statutory duty on all public authoritiesto “have due regard to <strong>the</strong> need to promote equality of opportunity” <strong>in</strong> carry<strong>in</strong>g out<strong>the</strong>ir functions and to “have regard to <strong>the</strong> desirability of promot<strong>in</strong>g good relations”between certa<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dividuals and groups, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g persons of different racial orig<strong>in</strong>and different religious beliefs. 64 The Police Service of Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Ireland is obligedto fulfill <strong>the</strong>se duties. However, law enforcement is explicitly exempted from o<strong>the</strong>rnon-discrim<strong>in</strong>ation standards. The Race Relations (Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Ireland) Order 1997states that: “Noth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Parts II to IV shall render unlawful an act done for <strong>the</strong>purpose of safeguard<strong>in</strong>g national security or of protect<strong>in</strong>g public safety or publicorder.” 65 Parts II to IV are those articles that effectively prohibit discrim<strong>in</strong>atory acts.The Race Relations (Amendment) Regulations (Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Ireland) 2009 make clearthat acts of Security Services and Secret Intelligence Services are exempt from <strong>the</strong>prohibition of discrim<strong>in</strong>ation. 66 Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, <strong>the</strong> 2009 Regulations specificallyexclude acts of discrim<strong>in</strong>ation on grounds of ethnic or national orig<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> carry<strong>in</strong>g outof immigration functions. 67These case studies give rise to <strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g general pr<strong>in</strong>ciples for all legal standards thatseek to def<strong>in</strong>e and prohibit ethnic profil<strong>in</strong>g:REDUCING ETHNIC PROFILING IN THE EUROPEAN UNION 37

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