Xinjiang: China collects DNA data
: Authorities across the restive Xinjiang region in China’s far west are collecting biometric data and DNA samples from millions of citizens aged between 12 and 65, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a new report on Wednesday.
The ongoing campaign has made it mandatory to collect such data from all “focus personnel”, or citizens considered a threat to regional stability, regardless of age, the report said. It added that officials were collecting biodata in different ways.
The Chinese government has dismissed the report.
“This organisation has a habit of issuing irresponsible remarks,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang told a regular news briefing when he was asked about the report. “You don’t need to take the remarks very seriously,” he added.
The HRW report said: “DNA and blood types are being collected through a free annual physical exams program called ‘Physicals for All’. It is unclear if the participants of the physicals are informed of the authorities’ intention to collect, store, or use sensitive DNA data.”
It quoted a report by the official Xinhua news agency dated November 1, 2017 that said 18.8 million people participated in the Physicals for All program in 2017.
“The mandatory data banking of a whole population’s biodata, including DNA, is a gross violation of international human rights norms, and it’s even more disturbing if it is done surreptitiously, under the guise of a free health care program,” HRW director Sophie Richardson said.
But the foreign ministry contended the government’s programme is only aimed at improving lives of Xinjiang residents .