Displaying items by tag: new legislation
Post Office scandal: hundreds could have convictions overturned this year
Emergency laws will very soon be enacted to exonerate and compensate hundreds wrongfully convicted in the Post Office scandal. Post Office minister Kevin Hollinrake called their suffering a 'brutal and arbitrary exercise of power' and allocated £1 billion for compensation. Among over 900 convictions spanning 16 years, only 93 have been overturned so far. The scandal stemmed from errors in the Horizon computer system, leading to false accusations against sub-postmasters and sub-postmistresses. While former sub-postmaster Alan Bates, who inspired the ITV drama 'Mr. Bates vs the Post Office’, cautiously welcomed the new law, he awaited further details. Rishi Sunak confirmed that those previously convicted in England and Wales would be cleared and compensated under this law. Similar plans are in place for convictions in Scotland, managed under its separate legal system. The Government aims to complete the process of overturning convictions by the end of 2024. However, concerns have been raised regarding the decision to use an act of parliament to overturn convictions, as it raises questions about the independence of the courts.
Turkey: scores of citizens with alleged outlaw links
Turkish prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for over 200 people accused of links to an outlawed group the government blames for the 2016 failed coup. Security forces are searching for 191 people, 181 of whom were active members of the air forces. Prosecutors also named suspects found on the messaging app ByLock which was used by followers of cleric Fethullah Gulen. Erdogan blames Gulen for the 2016 coup attempt that left 250+ dead and 2,000+ injured. Gulen, who lives in self-imposed American exile, denies involvement in attempting to unseat Erdogan. The latest arrests are part of a renewed push to suppress the group as parliament resumes debating a controversial bill boosting the powers of a neighbourhood watch force - Erdogan’s latest effort to tighten his grip on the country. The legislation would allow 28,000 watchmen to frisk citizens, demand identification, search their cars, and use weapons if needed.