Falling short of expectations: Safe City Project and the unsolved murder in Mauritius
Posted: 4 December, 2023 Filed under: Lakshita Kanhiya | Tags: biometric data, CCTV camera surveillance systems, drug trafficking, facial recognition, false accusations, intelligent command system, Kistnen murder, Mauritius, national security, organised crime, Safe City images, Safe City project, Soopramanien Kistnen, terrorism, transparency, unavailable images, unsolved murder, violence 1 Comment
Author: Lakshita Kanhiya
Human Rights Advocate
In a world full of violence, criminality, organised crime and drug trafficking, there is a legitimate quest for security. Mauritius, renowned for its picturesque beaches and vibrant cultural diversity, is not exempt from the challenges posed by national security. Much like many other countries, it grapples with the spectre of criminality, terrorism, and various public safety issues.[1] The evolution of technology in the digital age is fundamentally altering the way people engage with one another in society, and as society undergoes transformation, so do the tools, methodologies, and ideologies used to address these challenges.[2] Therefore, the inception of the Safe City project in Mauritius stemmed from the pressing demand for enhancing national security, particularly with a focus on preserving the country status as a secure destination for tourists, given that tourism plays a pivotal role in the Mauritian economy.[3] However, the project’s laudable objectives are overshadowed by the glaring human rights concerns, as exemplified by the Kistnen case, where the inadequacies of the system came to light.
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