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Report on – 33rd IC Resolution 4: Restoring Family Links while respecting privacy, including as it relates to personal data protection (33IC/19/R4) – The Canadian Red Cross Society

Statutory Meetings / 33rd IC Resolution Report / 33rd International Conference / Report on – 33rd IC Resolution 4: Restoring Family Links while respecting privacy, including as it relates to personal data protection (33IC/19/R4) – The Canadian Red Cross Society

  1. Has your State/National Society/Institution incorporated the commitments contained in this resolution into the relevant strategic or operational plans?

    Yes

    The commitments are incorporated into:
    Policy
    Operational plan

    At the International, Regional, National level

    Explanation:

    The CRC embraced the principles of the Movement’s RFL Code of Conduct on Data Protection and RFL Strategy 2020-2025 by applying them into the RFL procedures/processes and by utilizing the RFL personal data protection tools developed by the ICRC CTA, ensuring compliance with Canada’s laws on Data Protection. The CRC utilizes:

    • The ICRC secured RFL web portal. It is the main tool for internal communication for members of the Family Links Network that houses all information/guidelines related to RFL activities, which include countries’ criteria and RFL emergency and operational updates.
    • The secured Case Management platform named FL ANSWERS (Family Links Application for National Societies for Worldwide Enquiry and RFL Services) has been developed by the ICRC for National Societies’ RFL activities.
    The ICRC’s secure tools to transfer protection related files (electronic documents related to RFL caseload that contain Personal Data) between and among National Societies and ICRC.

  2. Has your State/National Society/Institution been working with other partners to implement the commitments contained in this resolution?

    Yes

    Partner with:
    Government and/or public authorities
    ICRC/IFRC
    Other National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies

    Examples of cooperation:

    Following discussions with Consular Affairs and ICRC, CRC expanded RFL general eligibility/acceptance criteria to address enquiries about Canadian citizens detained or unaccounted for in the context of armed conflict (including family members allegedly arrested/detained in connection to the armed conflict), provided there is an ICRC Delegation or National Society in the country concerned delivering RFL services.

    CRC continued visits to detention centres where people who are detained under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. During these visits, RFL services are offered to detainees, if appropriate.
    CRC has been strengthening collaboration within the Movement’s RFL Network in the context of migration by:
    · Collaborating with National Societies within the Americas Region (American RC, Mexican RC)
    · Utilizing the ICRC Trace the Face platform (online tracing tool, created by the ICRC to help solve tracing cases of people who have gone missing along the migratory route)
    · Participating as a member of the Ocean Viking Salamats Signal Group. As a member of this group, CRC supports the delivery of messages to family members from migrants rescued at sea by the SOS MEDITERRANEE and IFRC operated, Ocean Viking search and rescue ship.

  3. Have you encountered any challenges in implementing the commitments contained in this resolution?

    Yes

    With challenges on:
    Lack of capacity and/or support (technical, financial, or other)
    Other

    Details about challenges:

    CRC faced challenges in RFL search capacities due to lack of access to certain records and key personal information. Additionally, during the reporting period, CRC’s main referral partner stopped accepting family tracing enquiries due to increased privacy laws that have made locating missing persons more challenging.

  4. Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the work and direction of your State/National Society/Institution?

    Yes

    Type of Impact:
    Innovative tools/methodologies have been developed and are utilized

  5. Have the commitments contained in this resolution had an impact on the communities that your State/National Society/Institution serves?

    Yes
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