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Using Population Data Systems to Target Vulnerable Population Subgroups and Individuals: Issues and Incidents

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Statistical Methods for Human Rights

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This chapter focuses on (a) presenting and discussing concepts and perspectives needed to understand how population data systems have been misused to target individuals and population subgroups, (b) presenting a review of instances, sometimes in the context of major human rights abuses, where population data systems have been used for such targeting, where such efforts were initiated, or where such targeting has been seriously contemplated or suspected, (c) a brief review of a range of safeguards that can help to prevent or reduce the impact of such misuses, and (d) in light of the material presented, a discussion of the role and responsibilities of government statistical agencies and their staffs and the statistical profession more generally.

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. 1111 Jackson Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912

    Jana Asher

  2. Institute of Statistics & Decision Sci., Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    David Banks

  3. NORC University of Chicago, 55 E. Monroe, Chicago II 60606

    Fritz J. Scheuren

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(2008). Using Population Data Systems to Target Vulnerable Population Subgroups and Individuals: Issues and Incidents. In: Asher, J., Banks, D., Scheuren, F.J. (eds) Statistical Methods for Human Rights. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-72837-7_13

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