For Security: Mandatory DNA Testing For Kuwait Residents Post Mosque Bomb Attack

by Monica Joshi

For security reasons Americans have let millions of dollars be poured into security features in their homes, at work, on the streets, in malls and even in places of worship. But how far would you be willing to go to protect the security of your people? Kuwait seems to think that as far as security is concerned, DNA testing all citizens and foreign residents is an appropriate response.

Earlier last week, a bomb attack on a mosque in Kuwait killed 27 people and injured more than 220. In response to these attacks. Kuwait’s government has now passed a law that makes DNA testing mandatory for all citizens and foreign residents so as to establish a DNA database.

The government intends to create a DNA database of an estimated 1.3 million citizens and 2.9 million foreigners in a security crackdown that is meant to help officials arrest criminals. While the U.S. and other countries around the world, including the U.K. and Canada, store the DNA of convicted criminals, Kuwait will be the first country in the world to store the DNA of their entire population.

More importantly, they are not afraid of the likely criticism by human right advocates that will follow. The Interior Ministry allocated roughly $400 million to the project that could be seen by human rights advocates as infringing on an individual's right to privacy and freedom from bodily harm.

Independent MP Jamal al-Omar said in a statement that:

"We have approved the DNA testing law and approved the additional funding. We are prepared to approve anything needed to boost security measures in the country."

The punishments are just as hefty for those who refuse to give samples. Albeit that it won't be death, they could face a fine of up to $33,000 and a one year prison sentence. The ministry has also placed severe warnings that those who provide fake samples could be jailed for seven years.

Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Khaled al-Sabah declared a “state of war” against ISIS, who have taken responsibility for the deadly mosque bombing. He told Parliament that security officials have “busted this terror cell” and are planning on striking other cells.

He added that “all security measures, especially around mosques and all places of worship” have been revised.

It is important to note that in other parts of the world, a similar database would be illegal. In the European Union, for instance, in a landmark ruling in 2008, the European Court of Human Rights argued that the UK National DNA Database had to make changes to safeguard privacy and rights. Up until that point, the database in question retained the DNA and fingerprints of those persons who were innocent and whose charges had been dropped either before or post-trial.

In effect, the ruling saw that the coalition government adopted the UK Protection of Freedoms Bill was born and thus 1,766,000 DNA profiles were deleted.

It will be interesting to see what will come of this battle between the freedom from government and freedom to be governed. As there is no democracy in Kuwait, it shall be no surprise if this vetoed law stirs up a controversy for years to come.