Schengen zone
Free movement of persons is permitted within the Schengen zone. The internal border controls have been removed. Controls are only conducted at the external borders. This was stipulated in the Schengen Agreement of 14 June 1985 and the related Schengen Implementation Agreement of 19 June 1990.
The Schengen Information System
Among other things, the Schengen Information System (SIS) was set up for security purposes.
Two groups of data are included in the SIS:
- data regarding lost objects or vehicles
- data regarding wanted persons or persons who have been placed under supervision
- persons wanted by the police or under observation
- missing persons who must be placed under supervision, in particular minors
- nationals of countries other than the Schengen countries who should be refused entry into the Schengen area
- persons whose identity is being used fraudulently by others
Composition of the Schengen JSA
The Schengen JSA is composed of members from the national bodies that are charged with the protection of personal data in the different Schengen countries. In the Netherlands, this is the Dutch DPA.
Task of the Schengen JSA
The task of the Schengen JSA is to conduct technical audits of the central database in Strasbourg and in particular to monitor the Schengen countries’ respect of the rights that are granted to everyone by the Schengen Agreement. (See the annual report of the Schengen JSA for 2000 - 2001).
These special rights are:
- The right of inspection of the data on the data subject which are stored in the SIS.
For more information on this right, please refer to the Guide for exercising the right of  access (PDF, 245 KB).
- The right to demand correction of inaccurate data and removal of wrongfully included data.
- The right to obtain correction or removal of particular data and to claim damages before the competent court or authority pursuant to national law.
- The right to have particular data and the use of these data tested.
Information regarding the exercise of these rights can be obtained from the national authorities for the protection of personal data (summary of European supervisory authorities).
Also see the Guideline for the exercise of the right of access, especially intended for those who professionally deal with the right of access.
European secretariat Schengen JSA
Europol, Schengen, Customs Data Protection Secretariat,
Council for the European Union
Rue de la Loi 175
B-1048 Brussels
Telephone: +32 (0)2 285 50 26