China Collecting DNA Samples, Iris Scans From All Muslim Minorities in Xinjiang Province
(WorldNews Asia)

Human Rights Watch warned that authorities were mass collecting DNA samples and other biometric data from residents aged 12-65 in the Xinjiang region, the remote northwestern province that hosts more than 11 million Muslim minority Uyghurs, under the pretense of offering the citizens a free health care program, according to Radio Free Asia. HRW released a statement on Wednesday that said the authorities were collecting fingerprints, iris scans, and blood types, essentially expanding the practice that was already in place for passport applicants in Xinjiang. Authorities were also collecting biometrics from any `focus personnel` that they considered a potential threat to regime stability,...