France Risks Violating the Right to Freedom of Expression with New Abortion Law Proposals
France is set to introduce a controversial new law which criminalizes the online ‘obstruction’ of abortion. The legislation will extend existing provisions that have made it a criminal offence in...
What’s in a Name? Identity of Children in Criminal Proceedings Heads to Court
The North Gauteng High Court has recently considered the protection of identity for child victims, witnesses and offenders, in a case brought by Zephany Nurse and several NGOs. They are...
The Law Commission’s Consultation on the Protection of Official Data
The recent publication of the Law Commission’s consultation paper The Protection of Official Data has generated a great deal of attention. I welcome the opportunity to provide an overview of...
What’s in a name? The criminal implications of pleasantries
In September a new batch of research assistants started at the Law Commission in London. Having collected them from reception, I brought them over to meet the rest of the...
What kind of extremist will you be?
The UK Government’s procedure for identifying ‘dangerous extremists’ has come under legal scrutiny (at long last) in a High Court test case. The litigation was brought by Mr. Salman Butt,...
Lam Wing Kee, Hong Kong, and China’s ever-expanding reach
The disappearance of Lam Wing Kee and four other Hong Kong booksellers sparked outrage amongst Hong Kong citizens and the international community alike. US spokesman John Kirby said the US...
Access to information in order to speak freely: Is this a right under the European Convention?
If access to government information is “necessary” for you to investigate and communicate about matters of “obvious public interest”, you may have a right to that information, according to the...
Iran’s Criminalization of Human Rights Defenders: The Case of Narges Mohammadi
The “harassment” of human rights defenders’ and “criminalization” of their activities in Iran has become common practice by the judicial branch of the Islamic Republic in recent years. According to...
Sincerity of Oaths of Allegiance, Freedom of Expression and the Right to Stand for Election in Hong Kong
The frustration of democratization efforts in Hong Kong has recently led to nascent calls for its self-determination or even independence from the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). In a drastic...
Swazi Court Reiterates Prominence of Human Rights in their Home-Grown Constitution
In September 2016, the High Court in Swaziland ruled that certain provisions in the Sedition and Subversive Activities and Suppression of Terrorism Acts were unconstitutional. The Court held that the...
Right of Access to Information: An Empowering Tool for the Enjoyment of Other Human Rights in Argentina
Argentina has taken a big step towards government transparency and accountability by enacting, on September 29th 2016, its very own Law on Right of Access to Information. This long-awaited law...
Speech and Spies: Why Sri Lanka’s New Counterterrorism Law is a Terrible Idea
A year ago, Sri Lanka promised the world that it would repeal its current Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). In a historic co-sponsored resolution, it assured the UN Human Rights...
