Plans to introduce fingerprinting in Barbados quashed by court
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – The Supreme Court on Thursday quashed plans by the government to introduce fingerprinting at ports of entry.
The case brought by social activist and attorney David Commissong was heard by Justice Pamela Beckles after government failed to file a defense within the stipulated 28-day period.
Commissiong said he was not surprised by the judge’s ruling which deemed the matter null and void and unconstitutional.
The Immigrations (Biometrics) Regulations 2015 was supposed to begin on April 1 but was delayed because of the court matter.
Under the law all persons entering and leaving the country were to be fingerprinted.
There were also plans to introduce facial scanning.
The Immigration Authority of Barbados said those measures were intended to bring the country in line with international ports of entry regulations.
Earlier this year former attorney general Dale Marshall questioned the wisdom in having Barbadian nationals leaving or returning to the country be subjected to being finger printed.
Marshall said then said that the new measure was a “mindless adherence to international dictates”.
