‘Unacceptable’ lack of FIAU law updates despite millions in canceled fines

The government remains unwilling to update legislation governing how fines are issued by the Financial Intelligence and Analysis Unit (FIAU), despite a string of court cases that have ruled them unconstitutional and seen millions of euros in fines cancelled. In response to The Shift’s questions, FIAU Chair Kenneth Farrugia said the unit would continue operating as usual until an appeals process “seeking a final determination” before the Constitutional Court was concluded. Experts who spoke to The Shift said the situation was “disturbing” and “unacceptable.” The FIAU’s fines are repeatedly being challenged because the unit acts as ‘judge, jury and executioner,’…
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Proposed media law poses grave threat to freedom of expression in Lebanon

The Lebanese Parliament’s Administration and Justice Committee is on the verge of concluding discussions behind closed doors on a new media law that, if approved by the Parliament’s General Assembly in its current state, would severely curtail freedom of expression and press freedom in Lebanon and undermine crucial human rights safeguards, the Coalition to Defend Freedom of Expression in Lebanon said today. The latest draft of the law, reviewed by members of the Coalition, includes many alarming provisions that will stifle freedom of expression and press freedoms. It upholds criminal penalties, and in some cases increases prison sentences and fines,…
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Supreme court blocks Texas immigration law – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

The US Supreme Court on Monday temporarily halted a new Texas law that allows police to arrest migrants who enter the country illegally and set up another legal showdown over the federal government’s authority over immigration. Hours after the Justice Department asked the high court to intervene, the court blocked the Texas immigration law from going into effect until next week. The high court also requested a response from the state by Monday. The emergency request came after a federal appeals court over the weekend stayed US District Judge David Ezra’s sweeping rejection of the law signed by Republican Gov.…
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