Civil liberties group attacks ID plan
01 January 1991
Civil liberties group attacks ID plan
artdoc July=1991
A Commons Committee's call for machine-readable voluntary
identity cards is causing concern among civil liberties
groups.
The Commons Home Affairs Committee has also put forth a
proposal that all men in Britain submit a DNA sample to
police in order to help criminal investigation procedure.
The voluntary ID card would follow the example of EC
countries. Commenting on the proposal, the general secretary
of the National Council for Civil Liberties Andrew
Puddephatt said, `Our research has shown that in those
countries where there are voluntary ID systems, some
sections of the community - minorities, dissidents, and
young people - become subject to increased harassment.'
(Times 16.1.91; 25.1.91; Independent 16.1.91)
IRR Police-Media Bulletin no 67. Institute of Race
Relations, 2-6 Leeke Street, London WC1X 9HS