Britain’s High Court has ruled that the government’s decision to outlaw the protest group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization was unlawful, citing that the group’s activities did not meet the threshold for proscription. While judges found the ban disproportionate, it will remain in place pending a further hearing as the government prepares an appeal. The ruling suggests that the criminal law remains available to prosecute individuals for specific actions, regardless of the ban. Civil liberties groups and supporters of Palestine Action have hailed the decision as a victory for free speech and democratic rights.
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The Australian High Court has upheld the government’s 2024 decision to deny Candace Owens a visa. The court determined that the Home Affairs Minister’s denial did not violate any constitutional freedoms. The minister refused the visa due to concerns that Owens’ views, including minimizing the Holocaust, had the potential to incite discord and fail the “character test” under the Migration Act. The court found the minister did not misinterpret the law in making this decision, ultimately dismissing Owens’ challenge.
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The Bombay High Court upheld the rape conviction of a man who had consensual intercourse with his underage wife. The court ruled that sexual intercourse with a girl under 18 is rape, regardless of marriage or consent, citing the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The judge rejected the defense of consensual sex, emphasizing that the age of consent is 18. This decision reinforces that a girl’s marital status does not negate the illegality of sexual intercourse if she is a minor. The case involved a man who had a fraudulent marriage with a minor girl and continued to assault her.
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John Q. Hosedrinker