Photographers to celebrate Section 44 victory

nujvictory-1

Photographers are slated to gather on Sunday to celebrate the European Court of Human Rights' decision, which makes Section 44 of the Terrorism Act illegal

Author: Olivier Laurent

The campaign group "I'm a photographer, Not a Terrorist" is calling on all photographers to gather in London on Sunday in front of New Scotland Yard, to celebrate "our victory and determination not to be hrassed by this, or any other, law," BJP has learnt.

Speaking to the magazine, Jess Hurd, the chair of the National Union of Journalists London Photographers' Branch and co-founder of the campaign group, says that the European Court's decision not to grant the Home Office's appeal is a "major success." Read our full report on the the court decision, which renders Section 44 illegal.

"For street photographers, the battle against the misuse of the terrorism laws has been frustrating and at times absurd," says Hurd. "The abuse of these laws has united amateur and professional in defence of press freedom and civil liberties. We will not be intimidated by these unjust laws that pick on innocent citizens, and criminalise photography."

The London Photographers' Branch is now urging "all those who have been stopped since the original ruling in January to seek legal representation through their respective organisations."

Hurd adds: "[Kevin Gillan's and] Penny Quinton's victory against s44 in the European Court of Human Rights has been a long struggle for justice, achieved with the support of the NUJ and a committed legal team. It is a major success that should be celebrated across society."

On Sunday, photographers will gather in front of New Scotland Yard at noon for a flashmob. For more information, visit photographernotaterrorist.org.

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Comments

Slated?

I thought that this was the 'British' Journal of Photography!
The use of 'Slated' in this context is an Amercan term.
: )

Posted by: David Hulme on 01 Jul 2010 at 13:49

Stop and search power will stay for now

256,000 searches conducted under this power without catching a single terrorist.

The European Court of Human Rights has made a ruling but the Government.

Meanwhile the Home Office and Police continue to insist that this is a useful weapon against terrorism and havn't yet moved to stop it.

It's about time that the UK reviewed it's draconian anti-terror laws that allow demeaning searches of tourists, photographers and other members of the public to continue unabated.

Posted by: adele pace on 06 Jul 2010 at 07:12

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