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United Nations savages British anti-terrorism and libel legislation



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Published Date: 15 August 2008
THE government has been criticised by the United Nations for introducing laws that have created a chilling effect on freedom of expression in the UK, it was reported last night.
A report from the UN's committee on human rights hits out at the UK's terror laws, libel laws and the use of the Official Secrets Act, it was claimed.

The UN reportedly said provisions under the Terrorism Act 2006 covering encouragement of terrorism are too broad and vague, and should be amended so that they do not lead to "a disproportionate interference with freedom of expression". People convicted of encouraging terrorism face up to seven years in jail.

The committee also said tough libel laws should be reformed to end "libel tourism" – where people come to the UK to sue over articles they would not be able to pursue in their own countries.

In the age of the internet, the committee said, the laws were in danger of affecting freedom of expression worldwide.

The criticisms are part of the committee's analysis into human rights in the UK.



The full article contains 186 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 15 August 2008 12:50 AM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Terrorism in the UK
 
1

the_figures_are _fudged,

Galashiels 15/08/2008 01:37:17
We have human rights in the UK ?

No privacy , even the council can check emails and tap phones.

No presumption of innocence until otherwise proven.

Detention without trial.

Honestly it is like a 3rd world dictatorship if you look at the facts.

2

Guga II,

Rockall 15/08/2008 01:49:38
What do you expect from the Stalinist, totalitarian, control freak New Labour Sleaze and Corruption Party?

3

,

15/08/2008 01:57:00
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
4

Scotindy,

Los Angeles 15/08/2008 06:53:08
Is this britsh law. OR CAN IT BE SCOTTISH LAW.where one can be UNPROVEVEN as apposed to english junc.. Have a nice day!!!!!!!!
5

Boy Wonder,

15/08/2008 07:30:48
#1 to #4 ... Guys, guys, guys ... we're an island nation. They can do (and have done) what they like in our name ... and why? We're an island. The party in power is the party in control!
6

Royster,

15/08/2008 08:14:43
Oh no! Not the UN.
7

,

15/08/2008 08:56:05
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
8

MacGillicuddy,

15/08/2008 09:12:30
#2

Guga sums up the situation created by Liebour perfectly.


9

Alan B,

15/08/2008 09:58:17
Think the UN maybe wrong when it comes to liable laws. There seems to be alot of printing by the uk media of stuff that you cannot do say in france becuase of privacy laws. The media here seem quite free to write articles sometimes with no or little evidence and do a hatchet job.

What is the UN saying. That a media article factual wrong with little regard to accuracy is ok. That a person should not have the right to any privacy and that unfactual info can be written about then with no recourse. So much of the media in the uk seems to think it can make much of any story up as long as their is maybe abit of truth in it or were there is enough smoke that people may believe the story.

10

Auld Twa,

Edinburgh 15/08/2008 11:19:12
UK anti terror laws have been primarily used by local authority councils to investigate benefit fraud.
Why were they given this power ?
11

JCA REID,

Annan 15/08/2008 11:45:40
It seems odd that Labour are putting in place severe anti-terror laws that affect the ordinary citizen & do nothing really against the terrorist when the British Isles were subjected to terrorist attacks they. constantly voted measures down.

At long last it is coming home to roost that the scales are falling from people's eyes & are seeing what this shower are really all about.
12

Griffe,

15/08/2008 11:56:52
If the United Nations did more to prevent global terrorism and expelled those countries actively involved in harbouring terrorists, we would not need these laws. The UN is a toothless organisation, hence the need for other nations to 'police' the world.
13

Joe Macdelta.,

15/08/2008 16:12:11
The UN think Robert Mugabe is an OK guy, so take what you like out of that.
14

Ribbonman,

15/08/2008 17:41:12
#12 Griffe. Like England and her two provinces,Scotland and Wales?
15

Jwil,

15/08/2008 20:09:33
It gets drastic when the population has to depend on external agencies like the UN and the EU to protect it from its own government!
16

Calvinist,

16/08/2008 11:44:22
# 1
#2

Yeh sure! There are many imperfections in our system but having worked and lived in a 'Stalinist' dictatorship in the 1980's I can tell you that there is no comparison. Your hyperbole does you no good
17

donald,

glasgow 18/08/2008 05:13:28
Boycott the British Olympics.

 

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