Closed-circuit television (CCTV) means the use of video cameras for surveillance in specific areas that may need extra attention. Such areas are banks, airports, casinos etc. However, in Britain the number of CCTV cameras is believed to be among the world’s highest which raises concerns as many of these can be found in public places. Increasing surveillance in public places can violate the privacy of the citizens.
Recently, there has been a gathering at the Convention on Modern Liberty where more than 1,000 people appeared to listen to former home affairs minister David Davis. Other gatherings are expected to be held in other major towns in the UK to discuss topics such as press-freedom, counter-terrorist laws. Mr Davis called Brits “casual” and “careless” as even though they are aware of the issue of privacy they tend not to do something about it.
Nowadays, people can be easily taken away to detention centres without a trial if under the suspicion of terrorist act. Because of the fear of terrorism human rights are often violated or simply completely neglected. At the London event former detainee Binyam Mohamed was also present, who was talking about the imprisonment of his fellow detainee Mr Begg in Guantanamo. Mr Begg was released after being detained for many years. He said that he had been tortured while he had been in custody and everything had happened with the knowledge of the UK government. He added that Mr Begg had said that he had been willing to pursue justice as Britain’s mistreat of terrorist suspects had not been right. Even the Lords constitution committee admitted that the level of using electronic surveillance and the collection of personal date were pervasive and were not in favour of democracy. Note that Gordon Brown himself defended the excessive use of CCTV cameras as he thought this was something that could only help give people the possibility to live a life without crime.
No comments:
Post a Comment