Questions/Answers

The project was born out of the “Impressão Digital – Combate à Impunidade” (Fingerprints - Combating Impunity). It originated from the experience acquired during legal practice, which showed numerous situations where criminals could easily falsify their identities, obtaining a new birth record via falsified or stolen documents. Facing this reality, Judge Lidia Maejima felt that she needed to do something about it and conducted a study aiming the creation and implementation of a unified identity record in Brazil, linked with biometrical data (fingerprints). Even though this project culminated in the edition of Federal Law Nº 9.454/97, the authorities did not implement the idea. Years later, the “Criança e Adolesecente Protegidos” (Protected Child and Adolescent) project was created, aiming biometrical identification of all children and adolescents in the State of Paraná. The work has been developed with the primary objective of assisting the localization of missing or kidnapped children, since most families, in Brazil, usually relies solely on outdated pictures or on the birth certificate (document which usually provides insufficient information) for investigations. However, if a fingerprint is registered, the agency responsible for these investigations may issue several notices to the authorities, and, since biometrical identification makes harder to fake identities, it becomes more likely that a missing person will be found out. Another problem addressed by the program concerns child prostitution, since this practice usually relies on stolen or fake identities (without biometrical data) from others who have already reached adulthood (adult prostitution is tolerated in Brazil). School evasion and learning deficit are also faced by the program, because ophthalmological examinations are being carried in children and adolescents enrolled in the public school system.

Firstly, the initiative aims to collect digital fingerprints from newborns to children and adolescents in order to issue identity documents with biometric information. The importance of this document lies on the fact that the person gains visibility before the State with his/hers Identity Card, granting legal existence to the individual, allowing this person to vote and be voted, exercising, thus, his/hers full citizenship. Secondly, the initiative strengths the state security network, as it contributes to minimize child prostitution (since the practice often relies on fake or stolen documents), also helping the police on identifying and tracking missing and kidnapped children (as most families usually relies solely on outdated pictures or on the birth certificate, document which usually provides insufficient information for investigations). Furthermore, it poses as an extremely useful instrument to city planning, since the state will control exactly how many persons are being born, making it possible to predict and implement public policies and social development projects (such as the construction of day care centers). At last, the ophthalmological exams that are offered allows economically vulnerable youngsters to have their visual deficiencies diagnosed and, if needed, eyeglasses are given to them, preventing learning difficulties at school.

The initiative fits into the Category 1 as it: Introduces an innovative practice because before it, there was no official program to bring an ID to childrens and adolescents that did not have one already; Provides access to quality services for the poorest and most vulnerable, because it brings the identity dispatch service directly to that part of the population that never had access to it; Promotes partnerships for the poorest and most vulnerable by encouraging effective partnerships between public and private sectors, since the “Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia” (Brazilian Ophthalmological Board) and the “Associação Oftalmológica do Paraná” (Ophthalmologists Association of Paraná) nominated eye doctors to carry out exams and provide eyeglasses, all free of charge, for the economically vulnerable childrens and adolescents. All these perfectly fits in Goals 3 and 16 of the SDG’s, as with the ID, the citizen can vote, be voted and have access to other relevant public services, becoming an affective part of society.

Without the identity card, the individual finds him/herself in a “social invisibility” condition before the state, for he/she cannot exercise properly his/hers full citizenship, having very few civic duties or rights. The issuing of the Identity Card, therefore, is crucial for full citizenship, and adding biometrical data to it would meaningly improve general level of reliability in this document, that, by its turn, is the cornerstone of citizenship in Brazil. In other words, the identity card with biometrical data improves global levels of state control over data regarding its population (thus helping to improve the delivery of public services), and, at the same time, brings safety for the citizen, for he/she will be able to claim its position as part of the nation, demanding his/her rights properly. It must be emphasized that the Identity Card with biometrical data will also act as a strong tool in favor to public safety, because the biometrical data gathered in the childhood won’t change over the years, making it easier to identify criminals by their fingerprints.

The Identity Card is a document issued both for people that are born and registered in Brazil and for those who were born abroad, but are children of Brazilians. It confirms the identity of the person and, also, is a requirement for other documents (such as the voter's title or the passport). The ID is valid throughout the national territory and replaces the passport in trips to several MERCOSUR countries (such as Argentina and Paraguay). Despite its importance, it is possible for each person to have one different ID in each of the 27 Brazilian Federative Units, making it very easy to avoid law enforcement and to go through borders with fake identities. With biometric identification of children and adolescents, a significant issue related to public safety is being addressed, since it protects both the individual (from international trafficking of children, e.g.) and the society (by facilitating the process of identification of fugitives – since every child will grow, but their biometrical data won’t change). Another problem addressed concerns child prostitution, since the practice usually relies on stolen or fake identities (without biometrical data) from others who have already reached adulthood (adult prostitution is tolerated in Brazil).

The initiative’s main target group are students from public schools, the majority of which who live in poverty conditions and do not have access to information about the service that is being offered. In 2017, however, more than 24.000 identity cards where issued for children and adolescents thankfully to this project. Regarding the ophthalmologists, only in the State of Paraná 1620 ophthalmological screenings were carried, and 543 students had been forwarded to oculists. In addition, the project protects children from prostitution, since this practice usually relies on stolen or fake identities (without biometrical data) from others who have already reached adulthood, all in the attempt to avoid punishment for sexual crimes against minors, since their ID’s are faked. Furthermore, the initiative plans to reach indigenous and quilombolas communities, also bringing them to a closer contact with the State, providing them a much effective delivery from public services. Not only the children but also their parents benefits from the program, once the identity card strengths public security by, for example, helping to track down the child in the event of a kidnap.

The project shortened the path for the poorest and economically vulnerable to accessing the first identity card, with biometrical data, all free of charge, providing access to an essential public service where it was most needed. The initiative strengthens public safety, as well as make it possible for one to exercise its full citizenship (since the identity card is required to vote/be voted). It is also an extremely useful instrument for public education, health and planning of public policies, because the State will control the exact number of its inhabitants and their age group, enabling public development (such as the construction of day care centers and public schools) considering the demand of each region, without any additional cost to the beneficiaries. Neonatal biometrical identification (with the issuance of the identity card to the newborn) is also one of the great innovations and a great ally in the prevention and combat of crimes committed against minors (such as the exchange of babies in hospitals or birthing centers).

The innovation is original and was not adapted from any other known context.

Certain teachers from the public education system would accompany their students to an Identification Institute Post, where the biometrical information was gathered and the Identity Card was issued. Taking into account that most of the cities had already an Identification Institute Post, there was no need for the construction/acquisition of any buildings nor hiring specialized labor force. The fact that the “Associação Oftalmológica do Paraná” (Ophthalmologists Association of Paraná) nominated eye doctors for carrying out exams and also provided eyeglasses, all free of charge for the economically vulnerable childrens and adolescents. The initiative seeks to expand to all cities in the State, and to biometrically identify newborns in Public Hospitals birthing centers, indigenous communities and quilombolas (communities founded by former slaves). In order to achieve this goal, the Program has a grant from the FIA – Fundo da Infância e da Adolescência (“Childhood and Adolescence Fund”) – through the support from the CEDCA – Conselho Estadual dos Direitos da Criança e do Adolescente (“Children and Adolescents State Council”), which will be destined by the State for the acquisition of vehicles adapted with workstations, as well as any other equipment needed in the implementation of the project.

No

The initiative is transferable to any context in which a offical document is necessary so that its citizens can exercise their full citizenship. The key element that could be transferred is the ease of access.

Socially, the initiative is sustainable in the exact measure that it tends to grant biometrical security to every single person, since not only they will have their Identities Cards issued, but, also, they will be sure that no one is faking their identities. The economical sustainability is evident, since there are no negative economic impacts regarding the initiative, considering that cities with no Identification Institute Posts can easily dislocate the population to a nearby Post, issue the document and provide means for them to return to the initial city. Environmentally, there won’t be no negative impacts, since the initiative does not require extraordinary amounts of natural resources.

The initiative is sustainable in terms of durability in time because biometrical identification of all children and adolescents is only the first step to be taken. In the long run, however, the program seeks to biometrically identify newborns, directly in birthing centers, and, since the expectation is that people will never stop being born, the initiative won’t loose its vigor over time.

Yes

The initiative won the first place in “XII Prêmio Innovare – 2015”, a national prize that seeks to identify and disseminate practices that contributes to the improvement of justice in Brazil. Ministers from both the Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal - STF) and STJ (Superior Tribunal de Justiça), Public Prosecutors, Judges, Lawyers, Public Defenders and other prominent professionals interested in contributing to the development of Brazilian Judiciary are part of the Judging Commission that elected this initiative as the best initiative (regarding Justice) in Brazil in the year 2015.

“Criança e Adolescente Protegidos” has been addressed as a project that carries on the legal premise to grant “full protection to children and adolescents”, pursuant Article 1st from Child and Adolescent Statue (Federal Law 8.069, from 13th of July, 1990). It also brings to life severe premises from the Constitution of the Republic of Brazil (such as Articles 203, II and 227). Furthermore, the Government of the State of Paraná has issued the “Decreto Judiciário e Governamental nº 01/2014”, consolidating the initiative (that once was independent) as an official State program.

Pursuant article 9 of the Innovare Prize Regulation, the evaluation and judgment of the initiatives that are registered favor the following criteria: Efficiency; Quality; Creativity; Exportability; User satisfaction; Social outreach and De-bureaucratization.

The President from the Court of Justice of the State of Paraná (Tribunal de Justiça do Estado do Paraná – TJPR) nominated Judge Lidia Maejima (who also happens to be the intellectual author of the project) as the head coordinator of the initiative. To bring the program to life, the Executive of the State of Paraná designated several public agencies, such as the “Secretaria Especial de Assuntos Estratégicos, Justiça, Segurança Pública, Educação, Família e Desenvolvimento Social” (Special Secretariat for Strategic Affairs, Justice, Public Security, Education, Family and Social Development), the “Instituto de Identificação do Paraná” (Identification Institute of Paraná), “Companhia de Tecnologia da Informação e Comunicação do Paraná” (Paraná Information and Communication Technology Company), which helped with gathering biometrical information and issuing the documents, The initiative was also backed by the “Associação Brasileira de Oftalmologia” (Brazilian Ophthalmological Board) and the “Associação Oftalmológica do Paraná” (Ophthalmologists Association of Paraná), which nominated eye doctors for carrying out exams and provided eyeglasses, all free of charge for the economically vulnerable childrens and adolescents. At last, the “Ministério Público do Estado do Paraná” (Public Ministry of the Sate of Paraná), the “Associação de Municípios do Estado do Paraná” (Association of Municipalities of the State of Paraná), the “Associação de Diretores das Escolas Municipais” (Association of Municipal School Leaders) and the “Sindicato dos Estabelecimentos Particulares de Ensino do Estado do Paraná” (Union of Private Educational Institutions of the State of Paraná).

The key lessons lie mainly in the perception that the gathering of biometric data and the issuance of an official identification document largely assists in the process of recovering the self-esteem of the child and the adolescent, because this intervention makes them genuinely feel as a part of the society that they live in, rescuing the “sense of belonging”, since with the ID they now can exercise their rights as citizens. Furthermore, the initiative aims its expansion directly to birthing centers, and, in the long run, it seeks to biometrically identify every single newborn in the State of Paraná.