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Canada Strikes Down Child Porn Law

Wednesday, a Canadian court ruled 2-1 to acquit a man who was arrested in 1995 for possession of pornographic material involving young boys, arguing that Canada’s restriction on the possession of child pornography is unconstitutional.

Justice Mary Southin stated that “In my opinion, the detrimental effects substantially outweigh the salutary effects; the intrusion into freedom of expression and the right of privacy is so profound that it is not outweighed by the limited beneficial effects of the prohibition.”

However, supporters of the child pornography law, including children’s rights advocates and policemen, believe that “possession of child pornography cannot be separated from its manufacturing, during which children are abused.”

The court justices in favor of this ruling suggested that the problems with the law should be examined and corrected.

Sources:

Nando Times and Reuters - June 30, 1999

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