UN raps UK over freedom of speech

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The Guardian quoted a report from the UN's committee on human rights which hit out at the UK's terror laws, libel laws and the use of the Official Secrets Act.

According to the paper, the UN said provisions under the Terrorism Act 2006 covering encouragement of terrorism are too broad and vague and should be amended so that their application does not lead to "a disproportionate interference with freedom of expression".

People convicted of encouragement of terrorism face up to seven years in jail.

The body also said tough libel laws should be reformed to end "libel tourism" - where people come to the UK to sue over articles they would not be able to pursue in their own countries.

In the age of the internet, the committee said, the laws were in danger of affecting freedom of expression worldwide.

And it said the use of the Official Secrets Act was preventing civil servants from bringing issues of genuine public interest to wider attention.

The criticisms came as part of the committee's analysis into human rights in the UK.