So I am drafting my review of #Refugia (spoiler: it's terrible), which is getting quite long.

I've finally reached chapter 5, "Making Refugia work".

This is the chapter that actually lays out what Refugia would look like, would *be* like—to the extent that this can be discerned in a mish-mash of superficially presented empirical examples and poorly digested theoretical readings.

I'll be honest, I paused for a week or so before facing this one.

But now I fear I'm going to have to pause again, because I've reached the section about the 'Sesame pass/app/chip', and I don't know how I'm going to write calmly about it.

(Perhaps the answer is to write uncalmly.)

What is the Sesame Pass?

It is, quoting from p91 (and replacing 'and' with '&' so it will all fit in one tweet), a:

"tangible object that interlaces & links all the nodes & zones of Refugia, through such elements as providing a collective identity, voting registration, legal status, labour credits, entitlements, the facilitation of work opportunities, financial transfers, & enhanced mobility".

That is, it's an all-in-one passport, bank card, voter ID card, social security document, work permit...

...initially on paper (pass), then in electronic form (app), and ultimately "inserted subcutaneously" (chip).

So: a nightmarish tool of inescapable biometric surveillance.

Friendly!

When they've presented this idea, "a persistent objection has been to the high level of secure identification suggested, the control it might give to the technology corporations, and the possibility of intrusive surveillance by third parties with malign objectives." (p93)

No kidding.

"The reasons for us persevering with this requirement are two-fold. First, as extended functions get loaded onto the Sesame Pass, it will become a more and more valuable object, so any possibility of impersonation needs to be prevented."

The answer here, chaps, is to stop loading more and more functions onto the Sesame Pass, because it's a disastrously bad idea.

"Second, fear of terrorists posing as refugees (even though a very rare occurrence) underlies much of the anti-refugee and anti-migrant rhetoric in Somewherelands.

[continues]

Without accepting the need for a secure ID, visas & travel to existing states & other sites in Refugia will be restricted by the anxieties of authorities in many states, whose goodwill is necessary to recognize or tolerate refugiums & allow mobility across their territories."

So they insist on inflicting on refugees a tool of surveillance designed to appease racist hostility to refugees.

Bad, bad idea.

Doing so both (1) validates that racism and (2) provides racists, in and out of government, with a very powerful weapon to use against refugees.

Still p93:

"However, we concur (of course) that individual rights need protection and would suggest a partial safeguard...

[continues]

...ensuring that the local assembles [sic] (agoras) set up a judicial process run by Refugians, whereby damaged, stolen, or penetrated Passes can be reset, renewed, or replaced at the request of an aggrieved Refugian."

"a partial safeguard"

For that matter, "an aggrieved Refugian"—yeesh.

If someone had inflicted a subcutaneous ID chip on me and loaded it with my bank details, work permit, voting rights etc, only for it to be "penetrated"... I'd be a bit more than "aggrieved".

Meanwhile, what is the "judicial process"?

What administrative support will exist to permit it?

How will individual refugiums develop the IT (not to mention medical) infrastructure required to reset, renew, or replace a "damaged, stolen, or penetrated" Pass?

No answers.

That's the end of this head-clutchingly bad section, which suggests that the authors have not read any of the extensive literature critiquing the tech/humanitarian nexus and its biometric surveillance of refugees.

Pointers: https://fm-cab.blogspot.com/search?q=biometrics

In the news today... https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/nov/11/un-warns-of-impact-of-smart-borders-on-refugees-data-collection-isnt-apolitical

...drawing on research by @_PMolnar : https://twitter.com/_PMolnar/status/1325734791157833731

Now, the Sesame Pass is fundamental to the functioning of Refugia—both internally, and in its interactions with the 'Somewherelands'.

It's not that there aren't many other problems.

But this is the lynchpin of Refugia's governance, economics, and foreign policy.

It's rotten.