British government criticized on free speech

This video from Britain is called Taking Liberties [Full Film].

From British daily The Guardian:

Labour warned over limits to free expression

UN report says terror and libel laws are interfering with human rights

* Duncan Campbell

* Friday August 15 2008

The government has been accused of creating laws that have a chilling effect on freedom of expression in the UK in a sharply critical report from the United Nations’ committee on human rights. The report calls for the reform of Britain’s libel laws and controls introduced under recent terrorism laws.

The government’s use of the Official Secrets Act to prevent issues of public interest being published is also condemned in an intervention from the UN which warns that public servants are being gagged even where national security is not at risk.

The criticisms are made as part of the committee’s analysis of a report which the UK is required to submit to the UN every three years, appraising human rights in its jurisdiction.

Among the problems identified, the UN says:

· Terrorism Act 2006 provisions covering encouragement of terrorism are too broad and vague, and should be amended so that their application does not lead to “a disproportionate interference with freedom of expression”.

ID cards in Britain: here.

Related articles

• Tories look to target Muslims with new ‘extremism’ laws
• British pensioners dying in winter
• UK Support for Death Penalty Drops Below 50 Percent
• Bahraini torture prince in London, British government does nothing
• British government says gays ‘not British’