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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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24 November 09

PRESS RELEASE: UK – DNA sample database creates surveillance society; Police abuse of powers detrimental to community relations

IHRC shares the widespread concern that the encouragement of police officers to collect DNA samples would create a surveillance society.

IHRC is concerned that schedule 7 can be misused to gather DNA samples. Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act allows for any person to be detained for up to 9 hours without police or customs having to give a reason. Failure to answer any question can lead to a 3 month jail sentence. Under schedule 7, those detained are threatened with arrest if they do not consent to have their DNA samples taken. IHRC has documented considerable evidence to suggest that the consequences of such measures heavily target certain communities and are detrimental to community relations.

IHRC condemns the storing of DNA samples for innocents and calls for a review of the use of the DNA database.

IHRC Chair Massoud Shadjareh states:

“The taking of DNA samples cannot be justified for those not convicted of any crime. It is outrageous to use arrest as a threat or a means to collect DNA samples.”

For more information please contact the Press Office on (+44) 20 8904 4222 or (+44)7958522196, email: info@ihrc.org.[ENDS]

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The Islamic Human Rights Commission is an NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org