"Legal changes within 6 months", SP presents the report of the Investigative Commission on TIMS

MP Toni Gogu presented today the report of the Assembly's Investigative Committee on the Data Handling of the "TIMS" System on behalf of the Socialist Party.

The voluminous document explains the entire methodology followed by the experts according to the pre-approved Investigation Plan and assesses the need for taking administrative measures and changes in the relevant legislation.

From the parliamentary investigation, the commission reaches the conclusion of the necessity for a review of the legal framework.

"After the complete and cross-examination of all the administered evidence, the problems in the implementation of the legal and sub-legal acts were clearly revealed. It is necessary to carry out a comprehensive review of the operative activity of all police structures with the TIMS system within the framework of the findings of this report, which should be addressed as soon as possible in the form of legislation, which will be subject to consideration in parliament". it is stated, among other things, in the conclusions of the report of this Commission of Inquiry.

Following the conclusions of this investigation, the report states that "the by-laws in force for the TIMS system must be completely revised for the protection of data for the TIMS system, where controls are included at all levels, as well as rules that regulate powers and accountability are adopted at every level".

The Investigative Commission confirms the problem with the TIMS system in several directions.

According to the report, these problems require several measures, specifically:

a- the amendment of laws 71/2016 "On border control"

b- issuing by-laws for the management and operation of the TIMS system,

b- the selection, recruitment, and qualification of the staff that monitors, maintains, and updates the TIMS system,

c- AKSIK certification and accreditation of computer programs that maintain and update the TIMS system.

The Commission recommends the construction of a written operational and technical strategy in accordance with the concept of "Integrated Border Management", among the responsible authorities, according to the provisions of Article 3 of Law 71/2016.

"It is essential that every agency of the ministry responsible for public order and security, responsible for border controls and the TIMS system, is subject to detailed accountability and safeguards for data protection, periodically. All joint border control activities, including testing and certification of TIMS systems implemented in Albania, must be subject to effective data protection", recommends the Investigative Commission.

Following this report, the Investigative Commission also recommends the follow-up of legal changes within 6 months from the approval of this report in the Assembly.

"We also welcome that the suggestions and recommendations given in this report have been fully incorporated in the draft proposal", the recommendations of the Investigative Commission document say.

"The conclusions of this report that pertain to the investigation, with the evidence that has been administered, lead the commission to these conclusions, as well as proposals for solving the case, including the measures for the responsible persons", the report of the Investigative Commission states.