Asian and European countries are planning to implement biometric passports before 2010 to aid in counter-terrorism efforts…
At a recent meeting of immigration officials from Asia and Europe held on Bali Island, Indonesia, Indonesia’s Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Hamid Awaluddin, noted that the biometric system is a way to combat terrorism and transnational crime.
Minister Santoso stated that the 38 countries participating in this meeting have set plans to fully utilize the biometric system before 2010.
Previously, at the opening of the Asia-Pacific National Security Summit held in Hawaii on November 20, 2003, Singapore’s Minister of Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng called on countries to develop and use biometric passports as soon as possible to hinder terrorist groups operating in the region.
Indonesia and South Korea take the lead…
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Electronic passports (biometric passports) will store digital data of citizens |
In Indonesia, Iman Santoso, the Director General of the Indonesian Immigration Bureau, stated that Indonesia aims to start using biometric passports from next year.
Recently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea announced that the country will implement a biometric passport system.
The new passports will contain biometric data including fingerprints and digital photographs.
Initially, biometric passports will be issued to citizens whose passports have expired or those wishing to replace their current passports.
The South Korean government plans to replace all passports by 2007 after a year of trial use.
This plan aims to allow South Korean citizens to enter the US without a visa if they stay for up to 90 days.
Currently, there are 27 countries, including three Asian countries—Australia, Japan, and Brunei—that are exempt from visa requirements for entering the US within 90 days.
To qualify for this privilege, these countries must implement biometric passports by October 26, 2006.
Biometric passports will become increasingly common…
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Biometric passport of Germany |
Since September 2004, the Netherlands has initiated a six-month trial program for biometric passports and identification cards.
In April of this year, French Interior Minister Dominique De Villepin announced that national identity cards, residence permits, and biometric passports will be widely implemented across France starting in 2007.
Last month, Germany became the first country in the European Union (EU) to implement biometric passports.
Following that, in February 2006, the UK will launch a program to introduce the new passports. The EU requires member states to start using the new passport type by August 2006.
Many countries such as Japan, the US, Australia, Russia, and Switzerland are also preparing to circulate similar passport types.
Minh Thuong
