Parliamentary oversight of security and intelligence agencies in the EU

One of the reasons for the lack of posts on this blog the past months is that I co-authored this large study (446 pages), together with Aidan Wills, for the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE). The study came out today, and also includes a number of attachments written by national [...]

Nigeria: Senate, House Approve Anti-Terrorism Bill

On February 22, 2011, Nigeria’s House of Representatives adopted an anti-terrorism bill that had been passed on February 17 by the Nigerian Senate (An Act to Provide for Measures to Combat Terrorism and for Related Matters). It gives government agencies broad powers to investigate terrorist activities and gives the authority to try terrorism suspects to [...]

Obama signs Sept. 11 first responders bill (‘the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act’)

President Barack Obama said Sunday he was honored to sign a bill to provide aid to survivors of the Sept. 11 attacks and first responders who became ill working in the ruins at the World Trade Center.The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act was named after a police officer who died of a respiratory [...]

European Commission adopts internal security strategy

The “EU Internal Security Strategy in Action” adopted today comprises 41 actions to be regulated in the coming four years and is imed at implementing the extra powers in the field of home affairs acquired by the EU once the Lisbon Treaty came into force. It also responds to requests from the European Parliament to [...]

ICO calls for post-legislative scrutiny of laws affecting privacy

The UK Information Commissioner has called for any new laws that impact on privacy to be subjected to post-legislative scrutiny, citing local authorities’ use of covert surveillance in school catchment area disputes as justification for the move. In a report to Parliament, Christopher Graham said there should be a legal requirement for such scrutiny to [...]

NY Court ruling limits scope of state terror law

After Robert T. Johnson, the Bronx district attorney, successfully used New York State’s antiterrorism law to prosecute a gang member who had killed a 10-year-old girl in a gun battle, he said the verdict was significant in determining an appropriate punishment for someone who had “snuffed out” the life of an innocent child. But an [...]

Yemen bans name changes to prevent terrorism

Yemen’s Justice Ministry reportedly introduced the ban recently in a move it said would help the government keep track of its citizens. “With a new name people could escape their responsibilities,” Khalid Al-Dubais, a Yemini media relations officer, was quoted as saying in the Yemen Times. “If there is an urgent justified need for changing [...]

Council of Europe assesses UK implementation of S & Marper judgment

In its Programme for Government of 20/05/2010 the new UK government stated that “We will adopt the protections of the Scottish model for the DNA database”. A more detailed proposal, including whether to bring into force any aspects of the Crime and Security Act as an interim measure is being considered. (see below)I t is [...]

HRW calls on Chile to amend anti-terrorism law and military jurisdiction

Chile should limit the scope of its military justice system and reform the country’s anti-terrorism law so that it can no longer be used to prosecute actions that do not constitute grave crimes of political violence, Human Rights Watch said today. The legislative branch is currently debating two proposals, one to modify the anti-terrorism law [...]

Harvard Law School guide to media law in the internet age

Excellent overview on US media law, including on the right to know (Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)), libel and privacy and Safe Harbors.