Description: A human rights group says China is collecting data through medical checkups in Xinjiang, a move that further adds to controls in the Muslim-majority region.
Date: 2017-12-13T07:26:34-05:00

# China Gathering Blood, DNA and Iris Scans for Massive Database of Millions in Muslim Province

By Christina Zhao On 12/13/17 at 7:26 AM
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World Xinjiang DNA Mass Surveillance

Chinese police have started gathering blood types, DNA samples, fingerprints and iris scans from millions of people in its Muslim-majority Xinjiang province to build a massive citizen database, according to report by activist group Human Rights Watch.

The report, published Wednesday, said officials are collecting the data from citizens between the ages of 12 and 65 years old using a variety of methods. Authorities are gathering DNA and blood types through free medical checkups, and HRW said it is was unclear if patients were aware that their biometric data was being collected for the police during these physical exams.

According to the report, citizens authorities have flagged as a potential threat to the regime, and their families—named “focus personnel”—are forced to hand over their DNA regardless of age.

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So far, 18.8 million citizens have participated in the medical checkups, called “Physicals for All” by the government, according to an article by a state news agency Xinhua on November 1.

Chinese soldiers participate in an anti-terror drill in Hami, in China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, on July 8. Authorities in the area are now gathering the DNA of all its citizens through medical checkups, according to Human Rights Watch. Reuters

“Xinjiang authorities should rename their physical exams project ‘Privacy Violations for All,’ as informed consent and real choice does not seem to be part of these programs,” said Sophie Richardson, China director at HRW.

“The mandatory databanking 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,” she added.

The rights group is concerned about the data collection as iris scans, DNA and blood type could be used for “surveillance of persons because of ethnicity, religion, opinion or other protected exercise of rights like free speech,” further adding to controls in a region some analysts have dubbed an “open air prison.”

Xinjiang, a territory in northwest China, is a colossal region of deserts and mountains and is known for being home to many ethnic minority groups, including over 11 million Muslim Turkic Uighur people. Because of this, Xinjiang has long been subject to tight control and intense levels of surveillance not experienced elsewhere in China.

People select vegetables at a bazaar ahead of Eid al-Adha festival in Aksu, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, China, on August 27. Xinjiang, a territory in northwest China, is home to many ethnic minority groups, including over 11 million Muslim Turkic Uighur people—and because of this subject to intense levels of control and surveillance. Reuters

In April, police banned its citizens from wearing long beards or veils in public, a move that activist groups saw as a means of targeting the Muslim population in particular. Authorities also banned home schooling and use of the Uighur language in schools, as well as introducing new restrictions on downloading what it considered to be extremist materials.

The biometric collection scheme is detailed in an official document that was posed in Xinjiang’s government website, with HRW making an unofficial translation is available.

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