Section 44 Ruled Against Human Rights

[DogHeadGod]

Section 44 of the UK terror law which allows police to stop and search anybody, even without suspicion, has been ruled against human rights by the EU court of Human Rights.

This was the law that allowed police to harass press photographers, and anybody else with a camera for that matter, and led to the creation of I'm a Photographer, not a Terrorist

Maybe we'll finally see a reduction in the number of photographers being given a hard time!

BBC story... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8453878.stm

[junglebear]

I noticed that in the paper earlier, it can only be good news for photographers in the UK but I have to say it would have been a sensible law if it had been applied correctly.

[Nicole]

I saw that this morning too. I must say I'm glad it's been ruled against. Of course, the real question is what will they do to replace it since I somehow doubt the government will just do away with it. Let's hope whatever they replace it with is much more sensible.

[DogHeadGod]

Originally Posted by junglebear

but I have to say it would have been a sensible law if it had been applied correctly.

I have to disagree, the abilty to stop and search anyone without good reason, especially citizens going about their lawful business, is the begining of the implementation of a police state. We already have biometric identify cards being introduced, mass surveillance, and last week they authorised the use of airport scanners where you will be viewed naked before you can get on a plane.

[Jim Bryant]

Isn't that a rip..........but unfortunately, these are the times we live in.

[DogHeadGod]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Isn't that a rip..........but unfortunately, these are the times we live in.

To quote one of your own chaps... "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

[candidrachel]

Well it looks like common sense prevails at last! I could not understand why police would want to search a photographer with a huge camera, lens and tripod for all and sundry to see. I mean if I was a terrorist Google Earth would be my first port of call and take reccy pics on mobile phone!

[Jim Bryant]

How so true........aren't our government's homeland security departments right on the ball

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by DogHeadGod

To quote one of your own chaps... "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

right on.
I'll return the favor:
"If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without blood shed; if you will not fight when your victory is sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves."

even slaves to our own governments...
Lets not get me started.

[OsmosisStudios]

Now for the DMCA to be rules unconstitutional.