Court to rule on controversial clause next week
The Constitutional Court has set next Wednesday as the date for a ruling on whether the second clause of Article 61 of the referendum law can be considered unconstitutional.
The Ombudsman’s Office had submitted the case to the court, seeking a ruling as to whether the clause violates Article 4 of the interim charter’s guarantee of freedom of expression. This was after a group of human-rights advocates and scholars petitioned it to look into the issue.
The clause in question prohibits the dissemination of untrue, provocative, vulgar and aggressive messages through print and electronic media or other channels that could incite unrest.
The court said it would rule on the case next Wednesday after it has heard testimonies from all concerned agencies.
If ruled unconstitutional, the clause would be removed, and some advocates believe this would give way to freedom of expression ahead of the referendum.
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