Judicial Speeches, Gaza Boycotts and Social Media Crimes – the Human Rights Roundup – UK Human Rights Blog

‘This week, former leaders of the Khmer Rouge face life imprisonment for crimes against humanity committed in Cambodia. In other news, the on-going conflict in Gaza sparks controversy at home, while the Lords inquiry into social media offences reaches an unexpected conclusion.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 18th August 2014

Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com

Revenge porn – are we in need of stronger laws? – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

‘Calls have been prompted largely by the rise of revenge porn itself, which in turn is attributable to the omnipresence of smartphones that allow photographs to be taken and uploaded to the internet within seconds. No specialist knowledge is required and many “apps” allow pictures to be uploaded at the click of a button. Once an image is on the internet in digital form it can be reproduced time and time again. The call for a specific criminal sanction follows considerable lobbying by campaigners and the issue receiving national attention following the revelation that the prime minister’s nanny was the victim of revenge porn. At present there is no specific criminal offence that adequately addresses the problem. Legal action and publicity in the US have also put pressure on the government to act.’

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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 14th July 2014

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Revenge porn: Government to consider changes to sexual offences laws in bid to stamp out practice – The Independent

‘The Government is to consider a change in the law to stop ‘revenge porn’ where men post explicit pictures of their former wives or girlfriends online.’

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The Independent, 1st July 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘Social media crimes’ account for half of calls to front-line police, says senior UK officer – The Independent

Posted June 25th, 2014 in bullying, harassment, internet, malicious communications, news, police by sally

‘Responding to online offences such as threats on social media make up “at least half” of a calls to front line police, a senior office has said.’

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The Independent, 24th June 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Is it right to jail someone for being offensive on Facebook or Twitter? – The Guardian

‘Jake Newsome was jailed last week for posting offensive comments online. His is the latest in a string of cases that have led to prison terms, raising concern that free speech may be under threat from over-zealous prosecutors.’

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The Guardian, 13th June 2014

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Government accused of ‘stoking tensions’ against human rights lawyer pursuing British soldiers for alleged war crimes – The Independent

‘The Law Society has demanded action from the Home Secretary, Theresa May, over a string of violent threats dating back a decade against the human rights lawyer who brought cases against British soldiers over alleged brutality in Iraq and Afghanistan.’

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The Independent, 6th June 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Man jailed for offensive Ann Maguire Facebook post – BBC News

Posted June 4th, 2014 in inquests, internet, malicious communications, murder, news, sentencing, teachers by tracey

‘A man who posted an offensive message on Facebook after the killing of Leeds teacher Ann Maguire has been jailed.’

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BBC News, 4th June 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Twitter troll must not contact Rachel Riley and Chris Martin – BBC News

Posted June 2nd, 2014 in harassment, hospital orders, internet, malicious communications, news by sally

‘A man has been ordered not to contact Coldplay singer Chris Martin and Countdown presenter Rachel Riley after sending hundreds of abusive tweets.’

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BBC News, 31st May 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ann Maguire stabbing: Robert Riley jailed for Twitter abuse – BBC News

Posted May 9th, 2014 in internet, malicious communications, news, sentencing by sally

‘A man has been jailed for eight weeks for posting abusive Twitter messages about the death of school teacher Ann Maguire.’

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BBC News, 8th May 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Moronic’ hoaxer Joshua Bonehill-Paine spared jail – BBC News

‘A “moronic” hoaxer who claimed a pub had banned military personnel to avoid offending the immigrant population has been given a community order.’

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BBC News, 25th April 2014

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Criminal Justice and Courts Bill – new criminal offences – Halsbury’s Law Exchange

‘Another year, and yet more criminal justice legislation. The Criminal Justice and Courts Bill 2013-14 is going through Parliament at the moment, and it will come as no surprise that it includes new criminal offences.’


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Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 22nd April 2014

Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.co.uk

Cyber-bullies could be given tougher sentences – The Independent

‘The Government today backed tougher laws that could see cyber stalkers imprisoned for up for two years.’

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The Independent, 25th March 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Two guilty of sending ‘menacing’ tweets to Caroline Criado-Perez – The Independent

Posted January 7th, 2014 in freedom of expression, internet, malicious communications, news by sally

‘Two people have pleaded guilty to sending “menacing” tweets to a feminist campaigner following her successful campaign to ensure a woman features on British banknotes.’

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The Independent, 7th January 2014

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Thousands of abusive electronic message cases reach court – BBC News

“More than 1,700 cases involving abusive messages sent online or via text message reached English and Welsh courts in 2012, the BBC has learned after a Freedom of Information request.”

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BBC News, 30th July 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

US Facebook death threats troll: Reece Elliott jailed – BBC News

Posted July 10th, 2013 in guilty pleas, internet, malicious communications, news, school children by sally

“A British man who threatened to kill 200 people in the US, in posts he made under a false name on Facebook, has been jailed for more than two years.”

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BBC News, 9th July 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Free speech rights should influence CPS decisions on whether to prosecute over social media communications, says guidance – OUT-LAW.com

“Prosecutors should be mindful of observing individuals’ rights to free speech when deciding whether to initiate legal action against them over grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or false comments made on social media, according to new guidelines.”

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OUT-LAW.com, 21st June 2013

Source: www.out-law.com

Feeling like burning down some mosques in Portsmouth, anyone want to join me?’: Woman avoids jail after post-Woolwich Facebook comments – The Independent

“A 24-year-old woman who posted racist comments on Facebook following the death of Drummer Lee Rigby has avoided a jail sentence.”

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The Independent, 14th June 2013

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Man jailed over Woolwich murder Facebook comments – BBC News

Posted June 13th, 2013 in internet, malicious communications, news, sentencing by sally

“A man who posted offensive comments on Facebook following the death of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich has been jailed.”

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BBC News, 12th June 2013

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Case discontinued over social media comments after Woolwich murder – The Guardian

Posted June 12th, 2013 in armed forces, internet, malicious communications, murder, news, prosecutions by sally

“A 19-year-old man accused of making comments on a social media website following the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby has had his court case discontinued.”

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The Guardian, 11th June 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Student given community service for ‘extreme’ tweet about Lee Rigby murder – The Guardian

“Police arrested a student who complained to them about receiving threatening messages after she used Twitter to say that people wearing Help for Heroes T-shirts ‘deserve to be beheaded’ as news broke about the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, a court heard on Friday.”

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The Guardian, 7th June 2013

Source: www.guardian.co.uk