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Chinese government authorities have been conducting a mass collection of DNA samples from local populations across the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR). This includes kindergarten children whose blood samples have been collected without the consent of their parents, claims Human Rights Watch (HRW), an international non-governmental organisation based in USA, that conducts research and advocacy on human rights.

In its recent report, HRW has found that the DNA collection is being done as part of a police “crime detection”. “There is no publicly available evidence suggesting people can decline to participate or that police have credible evidence of criminal conduct that might warrant such collection,” HRW said in the report.

The report explained how the authorities’ mass collection of DNA, particularly from children, constitutes a violation of the right to privacy and is a serious human rights violation. It said that DNA information is highly sensitive and can facilitate a wide array of abuses if collected or shared non-consensually. It further asserted, “Compelled DNA sampling of an entire region or population for security maintenance is a serious human rights violation, in that it cannot be justified as necessary or proportionate.”

The rights group further stated in its report that “coercing people to give blood samples, or taking blood samples without informed, meaningful and freely given consent or justification, can violate an individual’s privacy, dignity and right to bodily integrity.”

According to Human Rights Watch, Chinese authorities began the DNA collection drives in 2019 under a policing campaign called the “three greats” (inspection, investigation and mediation), with the goal of reinforcing China’s rigorous grassroots-level policing system. HRW has described the campaign as “intrusive policing”.

Taking to her Twitter account, the United States Under Secretary and Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Uzra Zeya, expressed concern over the DNA collection campaign by the Chinese authorities. She said, “Deeply disturbed by recent reports documenting involuntary, mass DNA collection throughout Tibet, including from children as young as five years old. We call on the PRC (People’s Republic of China) to stop these repressive policies and respect the fundamental freedoms of Tibetans.”