05 Sep 2007

In response to Lord Justice Sedley’s proposal that every man, woman and child in the UK should be obligated to provide DNA samples for the national database, Liberty Director Shami Chakrabarti said:

“The current DNA database is discriminatory, but the course of equality is not advanced by treating everyone equally badly. We need a manageable database of those who have been convicted of sexual and violent crime. Taking the DNA of every man, woman and child is as expensive and impractical as it is dangerous. It ignores the extremely intimate nature of DNA and the massive scope for error and abuse well into the future.“

“The people of Britain are no more criminal or dangerous than in any other country. Perhaps someone could explain why we need the intrusion and expense of the biggest DNA database on the planet?”

Britain’s DNA database is proportionately the largest in the world. Approximately 4 million people have their DNA permanently retained on the National DNA database. It is alleged to contain more than 100,000 DNA samples taken from children who have never been charged or convicted with any crime.

Contact: Jen Corlew on 0207 378 3656 or 0797 3 831 128

Notes to Editors

1. The legislative framework permitting DNA retention has been changed several times in recent years. Where once permanent DNA retention was limited to a limited number of offences following conviction, it can now take place following arrest for any recordable offence. This has allowed the National DNA database to mushroom in size. Roll out based on arrest has disproportionately impacted upon black men. Nearly 40% of black men, 13% of Asian men and 9% of white men are represented on the DNA database.