Spanish Crime Bill 'May Violate Suspects Privacy Rights'

 

A spokesperson for Spain's Judges for Democracy association said that Spain's draft Criminal Procedure Act could be violating fundamental rights of detainees.

Spain's draft Criminal Procedure Act, authorizing wiretapping of certain suspects' places of detention and even homes, could be violating fundamental rights of detainees, Joaquim Bosch, spokesperson for Spain's Judges for Democracy association, explained in a Radio interview.

"We think that it is a positive fact that such regulation exists, but at the same time, we voice concern over the violations of fundamental rights of any detainee, isolated in custody," Bosch said, referring to the interception of suspects' personal communications, which could be permitted under the draft law.

The spokesperson added that regulations, dealing with the right for privacy and the secrecy of correspondence should be elaborated with due diligence.

"Our first impression is that it is possible to overstep some limits. But we want to scrutinize the draft bill," Bosch said.

Bosch also stated that the reform of Spanish legal system is not going fast enough, and accused the Spanish government of imitating the fight against corruption, rather than taking real steps.

Spain's Minister of Justice Rafael Catala had earlier explained that the revision of the law is necessary, since the current legislature is outdated.

"Our law dates back to 1882, and it is evident that… it must have had some lapses in the regulation of the judicial procedures and the penalty system," Catala said.

The draft law, which received a government approval on Friday, permits installing cameras and microphones in cells and even in homes of suspects in cases linked with terrorist or criminal organizations, crimes against minors and others grave offences.

Recommended Reading :

* Spain : Where trade union leaders are criminalized for striking

* Spain's flawed public security bill