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Defamation

     justice

This page considers secrecy and justice, including self-incrimination, protection for police and other aspects of the justice system.

It covers -

• introduction
• a right of silence
• hotlines and denunciation
• the administration of justice
• witness protection

     a right of silence?

Freedom of speech, discussed earlier in this guide, is complemented by the 'freedom to be silent', arguably almost as important.

It encompasses recognition in common and slatute law of rights against self-incrimination, broadly that individuals are not obligated to disclose anything that may subject them to criminal liability. Most regimes feature provisions requiring full disclosure for law enforcement purposes and judicial proceedings. Such provisions sometimes include restrictions on use of disclosed information as the basis of a prosecution.



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