The fingerprints and DNA samples of more than 857,000 innocent citizens who have been arrested or charged but never convicted of a criminal offence now face deletion from the national DNA database after a landmark ruling by the European court of human rights in Strasbourg.
In one of their most strongly worded judgments in recent years, the unanimous ruling from the 17 judges, including a British judge, Nicolas Bratza, condemned the “blanket and indiscriminate” nature of the powers given to the police in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to retain the DNA samples and fingerprints of suspects who have been released or cleared.
The judges were highly critical of the fact that the DNA samples could be retained without time limit and regardless of the seriousness of the offence, or the age of the suspect.
The court said there was a particular risk that innocent people would be stigmatised because they were being treated in the same way as convicted criminals. The judges added that the fact DNA profiles could be used to identify family relationships between individuals, meant its indefinite retention also amounted to an interference with their right to respect for their private lives under the human rights convention…
The Equality and Human Rights Commission said it welcomed the judgement and would work with the Home Office and the police to ensure the implications of the ruling were implemented.
Think we’ll ever get to a confrontation like this in the GOUSA?
Not until [and unless] someone has the opportunity to replace the sycophant conservative hacks on the Supreme Court.
Yes, I’m old enough to recall when conservatives favored privacy rights. Not any more, man.
Like the result, but I don’t think Britain should have its laws be dictated by a European Court.
>the sycophant conservative hacks on the Supreme Court.
You mean like Scalia and Thomas who voted to ban heat sensors that are used as Xray machines outside your house?
Those darned fascists spoil it for everybody. There’s some interesting stuff that they can now do with DNA records. It seems like a shame to not let the innocent folks own their own DNA tests for free.
This is a start to a better society for all.
#2, Lyin’ Mike
When Britain joined the EU they agreed that certain aspects would be subservient to EU law. The same thing happened over 200 years ago when several colonies decided that they would get together and allow a central government to be supreme.
But first they’ll make a backup copy – just in case.
And then they’ll leave the copy on a laptop in the backseat of the car.
By Monday every hacker in the world will have your DNA records.
Yes I’m aware of Britain’s entry into the EU, but I still think of it as its own country, and don’t think the EU should be dictating anything to them. I imagine if put to a vote, Britons would agree.
Beautiful at least we are seeing somewhere in the world where ours rights are being preserved.
#7, MikeN
As a Brit, I would generally agree with you, infact I’d vote to leave the EU.
On this particular Stalinist Issue thought, these EU Judges have got it totally right. Out government here seems hell bent on storing everything about us, and even criminalising innocent people, not to mention arresting MPs for helping to uncover uncomfortable information (which was not covered by the official sectrets act).
So should all fingerprint records be trashed too? Same idea here. Do you realize how many crimes are solved with DNA forensics? What happens now? What would happen if fingerprint records were deemed an invasion of privacy and destroyed? No more murders solved with forensics.
#10, Michael,
Would you use the same argument if the matter was every person had to register their DNA and fingerprints at birth and allow the police to search your person and house at will?
The illegal collection of information should never be the a basis for conviction. That makes the police and courts above the law.
This is good news. The Brits have an ancient, weird Westminster monastic subculture of secret service – spooking, which isn’t going to go away. Being hauled screaming before a court of fat Belgians and forced in public to destroy illegally acquired information, will at least embarrass them.
Very Dumb Decision.
You good folks, and this court as well, are confusing the desire for anonymity with the “right” to privacy.
Good DNA can do alot of good and the scifi based bad aspects should remain illegal and be prosecuted on violation.
So yea–less information and more guns. Hard to see why our current financial meltdown did not occur a lot earlier given the fantacist non-think that goes on in our governments.
DON’T BE FOOLED! They’ve been doing it all my life. Asking me to give up my freedoms, telling me I should be afraid, very afraid, then restricting my actions or taking away my privacy in some way. Enough already! If you start storing everybody’s DNA it’s just a matter of time till it get’s misused. The potential for abuse is too great.