British government Clarification has been requested policy on The purchase of Chinese surveillance cameras tech A company amid fears of repression and human rights abuses of The Uyghur minority in the country.
Sampson Freezer Biometrics and Monitoring camera Commissioner, welcomed reports regarding Health Minister Sajid Javid banning further purchases from Hiksvision after the purchase review raised ethical concerns.
In a letter to Communities Minister Michael Gove and Cabinet Office Minister Michael Ellis, he said if this is the reason for The decision There was no justification for Not extending the ban to everyone government administrations and local authorities.
Professor Sampson said he has repeatedly challenged Hikvision – which is partly owned by the Chinese state – over its involvement in abuses against Uyghurs, but after eight months they have not received anything reply.
note the government It formally acknowledged that there had been “systematic and widespread violations of human rights” place in China’s Xinjiang Province, including extrajudicial detention of more More than a million Muslims are Uyghurs and other minorities.
He said there was “widespread and unfair surveillance” targeting minorities – as well as forced labor and repression of births – which is heavily adopted on The use of control technology.
“There are serious unanswered questions about Hikvision’s involvement in Horrific violations of human rights in China, he said.
“The company appears unwilling or unable to provide assurances about ethics of Some of its operations and about the security concerns associated with it with that it equipment.
“If companies won’t offer the information necessary to exercise appropriate due diligence in Regarding ethics and security, then clearly should Bidding is not allowed for Contracts inside governmentor anywhere else in The public section for this is important. “
a report last year Recommended by the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee equipment Manufactured by companies like Hikvision should She is not allowed to work in Britain.
She said the company’s cameras were spread across Xinjiang and that they provided “a preliminary camera technologyused in Concentration camps.
She said independent reports indicated that her cameras were in use in Areas across Britain – including Kensington, Chelsea, Guildford and Coventry – in locations Such as recreation centers and even schools.
The committee expressed concern that they were collecting facial recognition data which could then be used by the Chinese. government.
a government The spokesperson said: “We take security of Our citizens, our systems and our institutions are taken seriously and they have range of procedures in place Integrity check of Our arrangements.”
