ON FULL HUMAN BRAIN READING
Will the last protective wall disappear?
It probably won’t be very long before artificial intelligence allows brain scanners to accurately and in detail report what images, thoughts and (memories of) feelings are stored in human brains. Decoding of brain activity raises all sorts of questions.
First of all, it would be wonderful if this new technology could help detect and treat diseases. For individuals, it might be helpful if, for example, they could easily transfer images located in their brain to a desktop computer or smartphone or whatever “device” will be available by then.
Every leap forward has positive aspects. …
Read the rest »
LIABILITY FOR USER-GENERATED COMMENTS
Decision by the European Court of Human Rights
The ECHR ruled today that Delfi (an Estonian commercially-run Internet news portal) was liable for the offensive online comments of its readers. Some consider this to be a serious blow to free speech online.
Press release
In today’s Grand Chamber judgment in the case of Delfi AS v. Estonia (application no. 64569/09) the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) held, by 15 votes to two, that there had been no violation of Article 10 (freedom of expression) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
This was the first case in which the …
Read the rest »
L4L – LAWYERS FOR LAWYERS
Helps lawyers in danger around the world
I am supporting Lawyers for Lawyers (L4L) for several years already. L4L is an independent and non-political foundation which seeks to promote the proper functioning of the rule of law by pursuing freedom and independence of the legal profession. L4L does this by supporting lawyers worldwide who are threatened or suppressed in the execution of their profession.
L4L has committed itself to enable lawyers to practice law in freedom and independence, always and everywhere, even when that does not suit the local government, bar association or establishment. The objectives of …
Read the rest »
PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AND GOOD GOVERNANCE
European Court of Human Rights on good governance
The European Court of Human Rights (2 October 2012, Case of Czaja v. Poland, 5744/05) reiterates the particular importance of the principle of good governance. It requires that where an issue pertaining to the general interest is at stake, especially when it affects fundamental human rights, including property rights, the public authorities must act promptly and in an appropriate and above all consistent manner. It is desirable that public authorities act with the utmost care, in particular when dealing with matters of vital importance to individuals, such as welfare …
Read the rest »
WILL 2012 BE A BETTER YEAR?
It depends on us!
What do you and I have in common? That we probably, just like all other people on earth, are descended from a people that lived in Africa in a far past. Thus considered we are all brothers and sisters. One big family, one big community, but not as closely and not as strongly connected as many of us would like it to be.
In the course of history differences have increased. Differences, for example, in appearance, in color, in language, in religion, in culture, in education, in prosperity etc. And with these differences, contradictions arose: between …
Read the rest »
CRIMINAL PROSECUTION GEERT WILDERS
Press release Amsterdam Court of Appeal
Amsterdam Court of Appeal orders the criminal prosecution of the Member of Parliament of the Dutch Second Chamber Geert Wilders
Amsterdam, 21 january 2009 – On 21 January 2009 the Court of Appeal in Amsterdam ordered the criminal prosecution of the member of parliament Geert Wilders for the incitement to hatred and discrimination based on his statements in various media about moslims and their belief. In addition, the Court of Appeal considers criminal prosecution obvious for the insult of Islamic worshippers because of the comparisons made by Wilders of the islam with the nazism.