Rights group calls for analysis of coronavirus restrictions ‘Not only did we see the introduction of fines . but laws increasing potential for penalties’
about 3 hours ago
There should be a rights-impact assessment to determine what coronavirus restrictions were and were not necessary,the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has said.
ICCL head of legal and policy Doireann Ansbro said an assessment remains “outstanding”. It should be completed to determine if legislation enabling further restrictions into the future should to be renewed, she said.
On Tuesday the ICCL were addressing the joint committee on health alongside representatives from Mental Health Reform concerning the impact of Covid-19 emergency powers on fundamental rights and mental health wellbeing.
GCHQ’s bulk interception of communications data, including data about telephone calls and emails of UK citizens unlawfully breached privacy rights of UK citizens, the European Court of Human Rights ruled today. The court found that the UK’s regime for interception bulk communications data and for obtaining data from phone and internet companies breached citizens rights to privacy. The decision follows an eight-year legal battle by 11 NGOs, including Liberty, Privacy International and Amnesty. They brought the case in the wake of revelations of the UK’s involvement in mass surveillance following the leaks by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden in 2013.
Doireann Ansbro: We need a model of policing by consent
Emergency legislation must be temporary, it should not be renewed without rigorous debate and scrutiny to ensure our rights are respected and the most basic tenets of our democracy are protected, writes Doireann Ansbro
The Government intends to seek an extension of legislation giving gardaí additional powers of inspection and enforcement, and allowing for mandatory hotel quarantine. Photo: Dan Linehan
Wed, 19 May, 2021 - 20:32
On Tuesday evening, the Cabinet announced its decision to seek an extension of the emergency Covid powers to at least November 9.
This is the bedrock legislation which has allowed Government to introduce laws requiring, under criminal sanction, that people stay at home except for essential purposes, and to effectively ban all gatherings and events, including protests and religious services. The Government also intends to seek an extension of legislation giving gardaí additional powers of inspecti