Sweden has had a long reputation for being boring. Many Swedes prefer to think of this not as boring but as safe. Trygghet (security) is very big here. Traditionally most of this security was believed to come from the state which would protect its citizens from the cradle to the grave in the classic welfare state captured in the Swedish term Folkhem (Peoples Home). In part this security comes from a long period of neutrality and lack of war or civil conflict.
The upside with security is trust. Swedes tend to be trusting and can therefore get on with their lives. The downside is that trusting people make easy targets.
Sweden does not have a strong individualistic rights based approach and therefore are very easily caught with their trousers down when official agencies approach them. A good example of this was this weeks police raid on the Pirate Bay where amongst other things:
- The police took more servers than they needed â?? thereby disrupting the communication of organisations not connected with the raid.
- The Pirate Bayâ??s legal representative was asked (required?) to leave a DNA sample â?? a gross misuse of the purpose of DNA tests and a form of intimidation.
- The status of surplus information is unclear at present â?? therefore creating an opening for police fishing expeditions.
How does one move from a position of trust and security to a greater awareness of individual rights, legal requirements and the demands which can be made on the legal system? Education.
To achieve this I think there is a need to create a website (preferably a wiki) on the legal position of online activists containing information about rights and obligations in the case of police actions.
A site such as this would provide information on (amongst other things):
- What can the police take (and limitations)?
- How much or how little should the activist do to help?
- Must the activist hand over encryption keys?
- What should the activist think about (ask for receipts etcâ?¦)
- What happens in the police station? (rights, obligations and experiences)
So does anyone want to start a wiki?
Examples of sites:
Activist Rights – Australia – Demonstrating and Civil Disobedience – FreeBeagles Legal Advice