Conviction of Cage’s advocacy director an abuse of anti-terror legislation

NEWS

The conviction of Muhammad Rabbani, director of advocacy group Cage, for refusing to divulge his phone PIN and passwords under anti-terror legislation is very concerning.

By Index on Censorship

27 Sep 17

Campaigns -- Featured | Counter Terrorism | Statements

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The conviction of Muhammad Rabbani, director of advocacy group Cage, for refusing to divulge his phone pin and passwords under the UK’s anti-terror legislation is very concerning.

Index on Censorship CEO Jodie Ginsberg said:

“We have already seen these powers used against journalists in a way that seriously puts at risk confidential sources and contacts. The legislation threatens the work of reporters and of advocacy groups like Index, who work on a daily basis with individuals under threat in their own countries and for whom anonymity and confidentiality can be a matter of life or death.

“This is a worrying trend not just in the UK but in many countries, including the United States where powers to demand passwords have been used against journalists on a number of occasions as we detailed in our report on the country.”

Rabbani was found guilty under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”12″ style=”load-more” items_per_page=”4″ element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1507723940632-4de12008-52e9-8″ taxonomies=”413, 18380, 11489″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

At Index on Censorship, we believe everyone deserves the right to speak freely, challenge power and share ideas without fear. In a world where governments tighten control and algorithms distort the truth, defending those rights is more urgent than ever.

But free speech is not free. Instead we rely on readers like you to keep our journalism independent, our advocacy sharp and our support for writers, artists and dissidents strong.