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The Limits of Online Free Speech
New Committee Agenda: Free Speech on Social Networks Science and Technology Committee Tuesday, 16/06/2015 | Committee Discussion
ACRI’s Position: Words cannot adequately describe the pain and sorrow felt following the suicide of Ariel Ronis, in the wake of a Facebook post accusing him of racism. And yet, even in light of this tragedy, free speech is a basic civil right that must not be restricted by law. Social networking has democratized freedom of expression, once a privilege that was previously reserved for those in power or with connections in media circles. The Internet is an essential public forum through which individuals share and react to issues of public importance, particularly as concerns the government and its institutions. This is not to say that all content should be permitted on the Internet: violations of privacy, incitements to violence, and slander, are all expressly prohibited and can result in prison time. Suicide is an extreme and terrifying act that should not be taken lightly; however, Ronis’ act should not be seen as justification for restricting an individual’s freedom of speech on the web. ACRI will continue to staunchly defend freedom of expression on the Internet. |
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Exempting Security Officers from Recording Interrogations
Legislative Bill to Extend a Temporary Order Relating to National Security Interrogations Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Tuesday, 23/06/2015 | Preparation for Second and Third Reading
ACRI’s Position: This bill would extend by five years the current temporary order that exempts police from the obligation to record interrogations of those suspected of national security offences. ACRI is strongly opposed to this bill. There is no place in a democracy for unconstitutional provisions whether it be in the form of a temporary order or a permanent law. Visual and audio recordings are crucial to the courts’ ability to determine whether a suspect’s rights have been upheld during the investigation and whether a confession was given voluntarily. Recordings may serve to deter investigators from employing unlawful methods of interrogation including torture, threats and other degrading treatment. Security investigations without documentation severely harm a long line of basic constitutional rights including the right to dignity, the right to bodily integrity, the right to due process, and the right to equality. It is specifically in the context of national security investigations that complete records of interrogations are of special importance due to the sensitivity of the issues being faced. Therefore, ACRI upholds that visual or audio recordings of interrogations are essential to ensure fair criminal proceedings, to prevent injustices, and to safeguard the basic rights of detainees. |
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Improvements to Kindergarten Education
Appointment of Additional KindergartenAssistants Education, Culture and Sports Committee Monday, 15/06/15 | Committee Discussion
ACRI’s Position: The addition of an extra assistant in kindergarten classrooms is a noteworthy and positive development for Israel’s education system, yet there is much more to be done in terms of improving the standards of kindergartens. The vast majority of three-year-olds in kindergartens require continuous attention and hands-on care in order to develop basic skills. Kindergarten teachers are often responsible for overseeing up to 35 children and cannot adequately look after the children’s wellbeing and safety. Many kindergartens are also materially unfit for children according to the standards set by the Ministry of Education, which require all kindergartens to have a changing area, wash basins, and hot water, at the very least. We are not satisfied with the addition of teaching assistants as a complete solution to the failings of the childcare system. The government, together with teachers, educational experts, and parents, must consider afresh the following additional changes: dividing kindergarten students into age groups for more streamlined and organized management; hiring professional support staff, such as counselors or paramedics; reevaluating the working conditions and training programs of kindergarten staff, as well as their employment benefits; and assessing the physical inadequacies of the kindergarten. ACRI’s position is expressed through its participation in the coalition of organizations entitled “A Kindergarten is not a Basement”. |
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Police Violence Against Ethiopian Protesters
Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Tuesday, 16/06/15 | Committee Discussion
ACRI’s Position: Based on testimonies gathered from Ethiopian immigrants following clashes with Israeli police during the recent string of protests, evidence has emerged that police forces used excessive and brutal force against demonstrators. The Israeli police play a key role in enforcing equal rights and promoting justice within minority communities and in greater society, however negative police behavior exacerbates social divides and aggravates tensions. ACRI encourages the police to institute programs that train and educate the officers in issues of cultural sensitivity, with an emphasis on community policing and cooperation with representatives of the various cultural communities within Israel, particularly the Ethiopian migrant community. |
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In the Spotlight:
In a letter to Minister of Sport and Culture Miri Regev, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel has insisted that she refrain from becoming a cultural censor and warned that her behavior threatens Israel’s democracy. ACRI asserts that freedom of expression is a basic right for all members of society, and that the public has a right to view the full spectrum of artistic creations. “The Minister of Culture is not the Commissar of Culture, and the Ministry of Culture is not the Public Censor. It is the very function of movies and theatre to engage with sensitive and controversial issues and encourage critical thinking. It is not the role of art to support the legitimacy of the state or preserve the image of IDF soldiers.” For more information, click here. |
