Clause 152 Scrapped!

[Azzami Bell]

++ NO2ID Supporters' Newsletter No. 119 - 19th March 2009 ++

*Contacting us:* Call or email the office - 020-7793-4005 or
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+ CLAUSE 152 - DEAD, BUT NOT QUITE BURIED... +

We can rightfully claim a famous victory as, following massive public
and institutional outcry initiated by NO2ID and our close colleagues,
Jack Straw has been forced to remove the appalling Clause 152 from the
Coroners and Justice Bill.

Clause 152 would have provided powers to use data gathered for one
purpose for any other across government and both the public and private
sectors via 'Information Sharing Orders'. It would even have allowed
mass transfer of personal information across international borders. It
would have vastly accelerated the building of the database state.

NO2ID had reports of individual MPs receiving over 150 personal letters
from constituents on Clause 152 in the last month alone. It became the
most briefed-against Clause in a Bill that contains a whole string of
controversial measures.

Thanks must go to everyone who acted and who told others - we couldn't
have done it without you.

But we cannot afford to be complacent.

The government has not given up. We must be prepared for more
information sharing legislation, and for an attempt to manufacture the
impression of public consent via yet another "consultation" process.

And in just the next few weeks ahead we are fighting broad data-sharing
and other measures in the Borders, Citizenship & Immigration Bill;
dangerous wriggle-room on DNA and biometrics in the Policing and Crime
Bill; phase II of NHS Summary Care Records (medical records being
uploaded without consent); and the initial roll-out of ContactPoint.

If we're to keep winning battles like Clause 152 we really need your
help. In the run-up to the next general election (May 2010 at the
latest) things are only going to intensify. We have to keep the pressure
on against the database state, and can't afford to let anything slip
through.

Please join NO2ID *now* - http://www.no2id.net/join - every penny is
spent fighting for YOUR freedom.

[Azzami Bell]

Everything involved with any public office MUST be completely open, transparent & uncomplicated and available to all as a matter of course. The onus must be upon them to explain -in detail -what the reasons are for any secrecy. They act as our servants NOT our masters!

The Joseph Rowntree Reform trust says at least 10 of this gov't's 'Databases' is illegal & breach Privacy Laws & Human Rights Act! -As if we didn't already know it! Trouble is, gov't is spending squillions on 'systems' that totally fail to do anything like fulfill their remit. Even the infamous 'Air-Traffic-Control System'cannot be trusted! It has to run in parallel with older & manual systems! -Hows that for dicing with lives!
The DNA database, IDcard database, Contactpoint Child Protection database, NHS Patient's database etc they're all crap, they WON'T ever work anything like the plans invisaged, they're a dangerous nonsence!

But they'll probably come up with more & more, we'll all have to continue objecting etc etc...

[Mandy Lawrence]

Hi Azzi

I didn't even know this was going on and I am a person that likes to keep in the know so am pleased there are enough people, who know more, fighting the Nanny State to the bitter end.

I often have issues with coroner's and their reports. My own experience from being on a MH forum and requesting to attend the formal report on the death of a someone who had been suffering mental illness and, even though, I had followed protocol and it was agreed I attend, the coroner's office blocked my application. No reasons given...just hit a brick wall.

In regards to what is in the public's interest, I think there is a case for coroner's reports to be made available and, as with courts of law, those with vested interests should be allowed to attend hearings.

I think it is more a case of too much red tape and lack of accountablity than anything else.