Government of Ecuador Suspends Genetic Sampling from Prisoners Following Criticism
The Government of Ecuador has made the decision to temporarily suspend the taking of genetic samples from prisoners after facing criticism for the procedure. This move comes after an exclusive report by EL PAÍS revealed that the oral swabbing was being conducted under pressure from the military, who control the prisons, and without properly informing the inmates.
The SNAI, the Government entity responsible for prisons, confirmed in a statement on social networks that a prison census began on February 21, where genetic profiles were being taken from prisoners to create a database for forensic and humanitarian purposes. However, the document emphasizes that this should only be done with the informed consent of the individuals deprived of their liberty.
The prison census initially started at the Riobamba and Cotopaxi prisons, known for being some of the most dangerous in the country. Sources revealed that there were instructions not to read the terms of consent to the prisoners, as they were not expected to understand them. The process continued at the Litoral Penitentiary, where 250 individuals have tragically lost their lives in riots and massacres.
Concerns have been raised about the potential misuse of the DNA samples collected from inmates. While they could be helpful in identifying individuals in case of mass disasters or identity theft, there are also fears that they could be utilized to implicate individuals in crimes they have committed in the past or may commit in the future.
In Ecuador, citizens have the right to know about the existence of any genetic data held by public or private entities and how it is being used. The Human Rights Committee of Guayaquil has announced plans to request information from the Government and conduct an audit of the process to ensure that all guidelines and consent procedures were followed.
Despite the suspension of genetic testing, it remains unclear when the process will resume and whether any changes will be implemented to safeguard the rights of the incarcerated individuals. EL PAÍS continues to seek information from relevant authorities on this matter.
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