Expert meeting on the human rights implications of electronic monitoring

On 27 June 2023, a range of experts gathered in Brussels to discuss the use of electronic monitoring (“EM”) and related human rights implications. Participants included academics, representatives from national probation agencies, the Confederation of European Probation (CEP), the Council of Europe, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and civil society groups.

This meeting was co-organised by PRI and the University of Essex, as part of its Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project. Over the course of the day, participants exchanged about the challenges, opportunities and operations of EM systems which vary greatly, in both purpose and modalities, between countries.

Alongside broader discussions setting out the context of EM systems and considering their human rights implications generally, participants shared experiences from an operational perspective and learnt about the use of EM in Bulgaria and the US, including the impacts of EM on minorities in the US.

Allison Frankel, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) presents findings from their research, including Rethinking Electronic Monitoring: A Harm Reduction Guide (2022)

Discussions found there is a need for greater consideration of the lived experiences of those subject to EM; its disproportionate effects on women and minority groups; links between artificial intelligence and EM systems; and lastly, the growing commercial interest in EM.

Following the day’s discussion, participants also made a visit to one of Belgium’s EM Directorates where they learnt about how the system works in practice.