Rabbani Trial reactions: A moral victory against Schedule 7

This week our international director Muhammad Rabbani appeared in Westminster Magistrate’s Court to defend the privacy of a torture victim after he was arrested for not divulging passwords at a Schedule 7 stop at Heathrow in November last year. Rabbani was protecting crucial information in a case implicating high ranking officials in torture. Judge Emma Arbuthnot was constrained by the intrusive law to deliver a guilty verdict for obstructing a Schedule 7 search. Importantly she acknowledged that the issue of passwords and privacy was a fundamental one in our digital age and agreed that Rabbani was indeed carrying confidential material and that through his actions, was of good character and sound belief. <span style="font-weight: 400;">Such an outcome is a positive step in the campaign against this authoritarian law. It underlines the absurdity and injustice of Schedule 7 and demonstrates how far we have regressed when protecting client confidentiality and your privacy is deemed a ‘terrorism’ offence. The law allows for warrantless digital strip-searches, suspicionless stops, and mass profiling. As it stands, CAGE has no option but to appeal the verdict and challenge the law itself.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">The media coverage of the outcome was overwhelmingly positive for CAGE. News outlets underscored the role that CAGE was playing, as the guardian not only of torture evidence, but also of the privacy and rights of all. Several journalists wrote about Rabbani’s courage and even more of them acknowledged the implications of the case for all those who pass through airports with confidential client information or private personal or professional data. Many raised the issue of the injustice of the Schedule 7 law.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">The case also mobilised the community. The public gallery at court was packed, and over 100 supporters turned up outside the court on a Monday afternoon to show solidarity with Rabbani. Countless messages of support came from far and wide. Twitter and Facebook were alive with comments and we were overwhelmed by the goodwill shown towards CAGE. We would like thank all those who raised their voices in unison with ours.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are some of the reactions to the trial and verdict.</span> <h3>Wide appeal and support from the community:</h3> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">Muhammad Rabbani has emerged 2 a warm reception from supporters outside Westminster Magistrates Court, after being found Guilty at his trial <a href="https://t.co/PJDEJf1Vsf">pic.twitter.com/PJDEJf1Vsf</a> — JammyDodger ? (@mrjammyjamjar3) <a href="https://twitter.com/mrjammyjamjar3/status/912350572099096576">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">Let that sink in. Protecting your privacy and that of a torture victim is a "terror" offence. <a href="https://twitter.com/UK_CAGE">@UK_CAGE</a> <a href="https://t.co/FCLNyOSTOa">https://t.co/FCLNyOSTOa</a> — Omran Belhadi (@o_belhadi) <a href="https://twitter.com/o_belhadi/status/912345452946837504">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">May Allah bless our brother Rabbani and elevate his status in both worlds. Was willing to go to jail for our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RightToPrivacy?src=hash">#RightToPrivacy</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WithCAGE?src=hash">#WithCAGE</a> ☝?❤ <a href="https://t.co/KwWByaPTrF">https://t.co/KwWByaPTrF</a> — Majid Freeman (@Majstar7) <a href="https://twitter.com/Majstar7/status/912365629516206080">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">And precisely why the tag of being called a 'terrorist' is nothing more than political gameplay. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RightToPrivacy?src=hash">#RightToPrivacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/1NCJbnJio0">https://t.co/1NCJbnJio0</a> — Abu Amaanah (@AbuAmaanah) <a href="https://twitter.com/AbuAmaanah/status/912360781789958144">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">Muhamad Rabbani from <a href="https://twitter.com/UK_CAGE">@UK_CAGE</a> may have been found guilty. But it was a victory as he challenged an oppressive law that discriminates. <a href="https://t.co/fG7adofnEI">pic.twitter.com/fG7adofnEI</a> — Asif (@aau004) <a href="https://twitter.com/aau004/status/912363263081504769">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MuhammadRabbani?src=hash">#MuhammadRabbani</a> 'found guilty of wilfully obstructing police by refusing to hand over password' <a href="https://twitter.com/UK_CAGE">@UK_CAGE</a> - a mighty perversion of justice. <a href="https://t.co/Jlmqz5jxUW">https://t.co/Jlmqz5jxUW</a> — Afia Ahmed (@AfiaAhmed_) <a href="https://twitter.com/AfiaAhmed_/status/912350274471243776">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">He was prepared to go to prison to protect client confidentiality Muhammad Rabbani is a hero &amp; was applauded &amp; given gifts as he left court <a href="https://t.co/4ZO4ycyo3J">pic.twitter.com/4ZO4ycyo3J</a> — Az (@AzTheBaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/AzTheBaz/status/912378931306811392">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">Muhammad Rabbani today just took one for the team. Found guilty of an unjust law, now is the time to repeal it. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RightToPrivacy?src=hash">#RightToPrivacy</a> for all. <a href="https://t.co/om6U5sU4Xp">pic.twitter.com/om6U5sU4Xp</a> — Abu Amaanah (@AbuAmaanah) <a href="https://twitter.com/AbuAmaanah/status/912372717609013249">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">Case lost. Moral argument won. Rabbani &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/UK_CAGE">@UK_CAGE</a> standing up for our:<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RightToPrivacy?src=hash">#RightToPrivacy</a>? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeToFly?src=hash">#FreeToFly</a>✈ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/withCAGE?src=hash">#withCAGE</a>✊?<a href="https://t.co/FGfnrA2wvZ">https://t.co/FGfnrA2wvZ</a> — Sa'id Totti Looch (@saidlooch) <a href="https://twitter.com/saidlooch/status/912393658456055808">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">With a modern day civil rights hero. Muhammad Rabbani took on the government and held them to account. <a href="https://twitter.com/UK_CAGE">@UK_CAGE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PassWithPrivacy?src=hash">#PassWithPrivacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/JOO1Bc0saP">pic.twitter.com/JOO1Bc0saP</a> — Asim Qureshi (@AsimCP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AsimCP/status/912403577213157377">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">The smile on Muhammad Rabbani’s face as he leaves court. Smiling at the face of injustice. Truly a brave man. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Schedule7?src=hash">#Schedule7</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PassWithPrivacy?src=hash">#PassWithPrivacy</a> <a href="https://t.co/Z6lRGViHpT">pic.twitter.com/Z6lRGViHpT</a> — Abdul Sami (@Ibn_Arjumand) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ibn_Arjumand/status/912350301528772608">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en-gb">How are you supposed to teach young people to trust in justice when someone who takes a principled stand is treated like this? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rabbani?src=hash">#Rabbani</a> — ifhat smith (@issmith3) <a href="https://twitter.com/issmith3/status/912347442254897152">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">It was undoubtedly targeted <a href="https://twitter.com/UK_CAGE">@UK_CAGE</a> man randomly checked?! Like em or loathe em they r fighting 4 our rights of privacy &amp; confidentiality <a href="https://t.co/zuU2x3sCMF">https://t.co/zuU2x3sCMF</a> — RepStar (@RepiakaMoni) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepiakaMoni/status/912942622284578817">27 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> &nbsp; <h3>One of the most popular NGO's in France sent their well wishes:</h3> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">Our duas for Muhammad rabbani from <a href="https://twitter.com/UK_CAGE">@UK_CAGE</a> <a href="https://t.co/ww01U4ghPq">https://t.co/ww01U4ghPq</a> — BarakaCity (@Barakacity) <a href="https://twitter.com/Barakacity/status/912239197079162881">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> &nbsp; <h3>Support from activists and journalists:</h3> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">If <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MuhammadRabbani?src=hash">#MuhammadRabbani</a> is found guilty, that would mean the official end of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/privacy?src=hash">#privacy</a> in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UK?src=hash">#UK</a> even for lawyers, doctors, researchers... <a href="https://t.co/PL9uox7HYy">https://t.co/PL9uox7HYy</a> — Yasser Louati (@yasserlouati) <a href="https://twitter.com/yasserlouati/status/912332479062773760">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">He got tired of having his own government demand his passwords every time he re-entered his own country, so he heroically refused to do it: <a href="https://t.co/K6xfW02MBW">https://t.co/K6xfW02MBW</a> — Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) <a href="https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/912360082427523072">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">In solidarity with Muhammad Rabbani who stands trial today for refusing to hand over passwords <a href="https://twitter.com/UK_CAGE">@UK_CAGE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Schedule7?src=hash">#Schedule7</a> <a href="https://t.co/f3kQVGt99R">https://t.co/f3kQVGt99R</a>… <a href="https://t.co/9Yy0St3rL9">https://t.co/9Yy0St3rL9</a> — Katy Sian (@theculturecraft) <a href="https://twitter.com/theculturecraft/status/912308323004895233">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">Guilty verdict in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Schedule7?src=hash">#Schedule7</a> trial but <a href="https://twitter.com/UK_CAGE">@UK_CAGE</a>'s Muhammad Rabbani is given a conditional discharge. Hardly a victory for security state! — Netpol (@policemonitor) <a href="https://twitter.com/policemonitor/status/912344142038142976">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">The UK's airport powers under Schedule 7 are inherently abusive, &amp; UK Govt exploits them in the most oppressive &amp; abusive manner possible: <a href="https://t.co/slX4n9SXpq">https://t.co/slX4n9SXpq</a> — Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) <a href="https://twitter.com/ggreenwald/status/912656323241762816">26 September 2017</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">Court's decision is troubling... <a href="https://t.co/fIJPmZce8F">https://t.co/fIJPmZce8F</a> — CIJ (@cijournalism) <a href="https://twitter.com/cijournalism/status/912702721798656000">26 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">We all owe thanks to this brave <a href="https://twitter.com/Cage">@CAGE</a> official for resisting UK's oppressive Schedule 7 law, which Govt still abuses <a href="https://t.co/408pvkVsby">https://t.co/408pvkVsby</a> — David Miranda (@davidmirandario) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidmirandario/status/912399084107046912">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Conviction of Cage’s advocacy director an abuse of anti-terror legislation <a href="https://t.co/NjYloasvMy">https://t.co/NjYloasvMy</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/IndexCensorship">@IndexCensorship</a></p> — Index on Censorship (@IndexCensorship) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndexCensorship/status/912993571397087232">27 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">Definitely links between Rabbani case and the way the NCA tried to circumvent proper procedure w <a href="https://twitter.com/laurilove">@laurilove</a>'s pwds <a href="https://t.co/RfhtM698UT">https://t.co/RfhtM698UT</a> — Naomi Colvin (@auerfeld) <a href="https://twitter.com/auerfeld/status/912301067077144578">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Some serious surveillance law geekery going on in court 1. Shame there’s so few surveillance activists here to see it <a href="https://t.co/In7T57fgJP">https://t.co/In7T57fgJP</a></p> — Ben Hayes (@drbenhayes) <a href="https://twitter.com/drbenhayes/status/912302270729064448">25 September 2017</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async="" charset="utf-8"></script> &nbsp; <h3>Community responses on Facebook:</h3> <a href="https://cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/AWreaction.jpg"><img class="wp-image-17299 aligncenter" src="https://cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/AWreaction-300x216.jpg" alt="AWreaction" width="435" height="313" /></a> <a href="https://cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/FAreaction.jpg"><img class="wp-image-17300 aligncenter" src="https://cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/FAreaction-300x233.jpg" alt="FAreaction" width="435" height="338" /></a> <a href="https://cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Lreaction.jpg"><img class="wp-image-17301 aligncenter" src="https://cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Lreaction-300x242.jpg" alt="Lreaction" width="435" height="351" /></a> &nbsp; <a href="https://cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/YPreaction.jpg"><img class="wp-image-17303 aligncenter" src="https://cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/YPreaction-300x81.jpg" alt="YPreaction" width="437" height="118" /></a> <a href="https://cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ZAreaction.jpg"><img class="wp-image-17304 aligncenter" src="https://cage.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ZAreaction-300x176.jpg" alt="ZAreaction" width="435" height="255" /></a> &nbsp;