DOHA: The Cabinet, which met yesterday with Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani in the chair, approved a draft law on DNA and then referred it to the Advisory Council.
The aforesaid draft law came to replace the law No. 9 for 2013 as part of updating legislations. Under the draft law, a DNA database shall be established at the Ministry of the Interior, and shall be attached to the competent authority at the Ministry. The DNA database also shall be used for the retention of genetic fingerprints resulting from the samples specified by the law.
It is prohibited to take biological samples, conduct DNA tests or store its data in the DNA database or use it as evidence and in investigation or trial without a decision by the Public Prosecution or the competent court.
Data recorded in the DNA database shall be confidential and cannot be viewed without the permission of the Minister of Interior, the Public Prosecution or the competent court. DNA tests and data in the DNA database are authoritative unless otherwise proven, except for descent provided for in chapter two of part six of the Family Law.
Commenting on new law relating to DNA, lawyer Issa Al Sulaiti said that the procedure laid down in new law is an important development and it is a security measure that DNA records can be used only in very special cases. “It means that the State keeps pace with all the recent developments that can be used when needed,” he added.
With regard to its importance for lawyers, lawyer Issa Al Sulaiti pointed out that the issue is very important especially that it helps lawyers in many issues that can not be resolved without being backed by this technology.
Meanwhile, following the Cabinet meeting yesterday, Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs H E Dr. Hassan bin Lahdan Al Hassan Al Mohannadi stated that the Cabinet welcomed the decision made by the General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at its recent conference in Geneva to hold its 140th session in the State of Qatar from April 6 to 10, 2019.
The Cabinet stressed that Doha’s hosting of this important conference is a new demonstration of the confidence of the international community in Qatar under the leadership of Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and in its wise policy, distinguished position and its effective role for peace and stability in the region and the world.
The Cabinet also expressed its sincere thanks and appreciation to the brotherly and friendly countries that supported this decision, stressing that the State of Qatar welcomes all the presidents and delegations of the world parliaments and its keenness to provide all the requirements for the success of this major international event.
The Cabinet also approved the amendment of some provisions of the cooperation agreement in the field of security and law enforcement between the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China.
The Cabinet moreover too the necessary procedures for the ratification of the following: An agreement between Qatar and India for cooperation in the field of culture; an agreement between Qatar and the Government of the French Republic in the field of cultural cooperation; a MoU for Cooperation in the field of culture between Qatar and Ivory Coast; a MoU for Cooperation in sport between Qatar and Ivory Coast; a MoU for Cooperation in the field of youth between Qatar and Ivory Coast.
The Cabinet as well reviewed a memorandum on the coordination of procedures and regulations for the allocation of lands to investors, and decided to form a working team of representatives of the concerned authorities to study the issue in all its aspects and put appropriate solutions to make it easier for the investors in accordance with the principles of justice in the allocation and transparency of procedures.
It also reviewed the report of the 13th report of NHRC on the situation of human rights in the State of Qatar. The Cabinet then took the appropriate decision thereon. The report included a statement on the outcomes of the Committee’s works and activities and its recommendations in this regard.
