Seafarers' Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003, as amended (No. 185) - Madagascar (RATIFICATION: 2007)

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The Committee notes that the amendments of 2016 to the Annexes of the Convention entered into force in Madagascar on 8 June 2017. The Committee recalls that these amendments aim at aligning the technical requirements of the Convention with the latest standards adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) with respect to the technology for seafarers’ identity documents (SIDs) provided for in the Convention. In particular, they intend to change the biometric template in seafarers’ identity documents from a fingerprint template in a two-dimensional barcode to a facial image stored in a contactless chip as required by ICAO Document 9303.

Articles 2 to 7 of the Convention. Seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in response to its previous comment indicating that measures have been taken to deliver SIDs issued in accordance with the Convention, as amended. These measures include the adoption of Decree No. 2021-649 of 16 June 2021 publishing the amendments to Annexes I, II and III of the Convention and Decree No. 2021-650 of 16 June 2021 establishing an identity document for seafarers. The Committee also notes that a company has been assigned the task of producing SIDs, that the Port, Maritime and River Agency (APMF) is awaiting authorization as the Country Signing Certification Authority (CSCA) for the electronic signature of SIDs, and that the issuing of SIDs will be effective once the authorization has been issued by the Ministry of the Interior and Decentralization. This authorization will allow the contracted company to create the signature. The Committee also notes that the Government submitted a sample SID to the Office in 2018 so that the Office could verify the document’s compliance with the Convention. The Committee notes that after technical verification, the Office indicated that certain elements would need to be corrected to ensure full compliance with the Convention, including how possible it is to read the SIDs. Noting the technical and legislative efforts made by the Government to apply the Convention, the Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of any developments in the implementation of a new system for reading SIDs and any other measure taken to give effect to the Convention.

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Articles 2 to 7 of the Convention. Seafarers’ identity documents. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s first report on the application of the Convention, in particular the Government’s explanations concerning the financial difficulties which have not so far permitted the issuance of seafarers’ identity documents conforming to the provisions of the Convention. The Government indicates that since February 2009, the Port, Maritime and River Agency (APMF) has been prospecting for enterprises capable of producing seafarers’ identity documents meeting the quality and safety standards prescribed by the Convention but the selection process had to be suspended because of the socio-economic situation of the country.

The Committee is fully cognizant of the fact that ratifying countries may need some time before the facilities and systems necessary for the implementation of the Convention are effectively put in place, especially in view of the highly technical character of certain requirements and recommended procedures. While noting the Government’s efforts to acquire the technical capacity of issuing seafarers’ identity documents conforming to the Convention and to find financial resources to this end, and also noting the Government’s wish to avail itself of the advisory services of the Office in this regard, the Committee requests the Government to provide together with its next report information on any concrete measures taken for the effective implementation of the Convention both in law and in practice.