A Kuwaiti law requiring all residents to submit to genetic testing has sparked international outcry — and there are signs it’s also drawing a muted civil opposition from locals fearful of its scope.
…
“There are reports of a growing opposition within Kuwaiti civil society against this law,” said Mourad Dhina, the executive director of Alkarama, a human rights organization based in Switzerland….
But Kuwait has strict laws curtailing free speech. Government critics can be swiftly prosecuted or jailed, so opponents of the law have had to tread very carefully.
…
But the silence doesn’t mean Kuwait residents support the creation of a nationwide genetic database — or that they’ll comply with the mandate.
…
If the mandate moves ahead with its sweeping scope, other Gulf countries that have considered similar mandates might consider following suit, [Kristine] Beckerle [from Human Rights Watch] said. “If people in Kuwait and the rest of the world aren’t the pushing back against it,” she said, “there’s a sincere danger of establishing a really serious precedent on these issues.”
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: Opposition stirring to Kuwaiti law mandating DNA tests for all residents
