Banking on mobility over a generation: follow-up to the regional study on the management of the external borders of the European Union and its impact on the human rights of migrants 2015, para. 52
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The European Commission took note of the issue of forced fingerprinting in 2014. It requested information from European Union member States on the legal frameworks in place and common practices. Some States, such as Greece, Malta and Italy, have legally allowed the use of force if migrants resist fingerprinting, while other States, such as Austria and Ireland, have prohibited such a practice. Responses from all Governments tend to suggest that migrants and asylum seekers are rarely unwilling to give their fingerprints, while others have said that it is very difficult to force a person who fundamentally will not cooperate. Even countries, such as Malta, that reported migrants being uncooperative at the point of disembarkation claimed the individuals could typically be recalled later for fingerprinting. While these reports by member States are encouraging, troubling anecdotal evidence by migrants and front-line workers suggests that force has been used in countries of first entry to the European Union.
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Non-negotiated soft law
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Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants