World Monday, July 17, 2006 Dutch court rejects ban of pedophile partyDutch court rejects ban of pedophile party AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - A Dutch court said on Monday a political party formed by pedophiles could not be banned as it had the same right to exist as any other party and was protected by democratic freedoms. The Brotherly Love, Freedom and Diversity party (PNVD) was launched in May and campaigns for a cut in the age of consent from 16 to 12 and the legalisation of child pornography and sex with animals, provoking widespread outrage in the Netherlands. The Solace group that campaigns against pedophiles sought a ban as it said the party infringed the rights of children and its ideas were a threat to social norms and values in a democratic state. But a court in The Hague rejected the bid. "The freedom of expression, the freedom of assembly and the freedom of association ... should be seen as the foundations of the democratic rule of law and the PNVD is also entitled to these freedoms," the court said in a statement. The court said these freedoms were not unlimited, but limits to them could only apply to activities that undermined public order and judges could not take lightly a decision to ban a political party. "It is up to the voter to give a judgment on the arguments of political parties," Judge H. Hofhuis told the court. It is not Dutch practice to publish the first names of judges. No Kidding, a group campaigning for children's rights, said the right to freedom of expression was not absolute and called on the Dutch government to act against the PNVD. "Dutch citizens must make their voices heard if we do not want to sacrifice our children to pedophile interests," it said in a statement, adding it planned to petition parliament. The PNVD says it wants to lift the taboo on pedophilia which it said had intensified since the 1996 Marc Dutroux child abuse scandal in neighboring Belgium. "We expected to win. We are not doing anything criminal so why should you ban the PNVD?" the party's chairman, Marthijn Uittenbogaard, was quoted as saying by Dutch news agency ANP. The Netherlands, which already has liberal policies on soft drugs, prostitution and gay marriage, has been shocked by the new party. An opinion poll showed that 82 percent want the government to do something to stop the party. The party wants to allow possession of child pornography and supports broadcasting pornography on daytime television, with only violent pornography limited to the late evening. It also wants youths aged 16 and up to be allowed to appear in pornographic films and prostitute themselves. What kind of bizarre shit is this?
Hey, it's a democracy, they're free to try and vote something in they want. That doesn't mean they'll succeed though. Anyways, I've seen crazier and more absurd wastes of time in U.S. court cases, heh. - N
the protestors to this party are standing in the way of demacracy by trying to stop them from running. if no-one wants them in power, then they wont get into power, but maybe 60% of the netherlands do want the age of consent lowered to 12. if they do, then it is unethical to get this party banned for their own agendas
I understand President Clinton, Jesse Jackson, Larry Flint and Andrew Young are all sending money and 'moral support'.
Yes, and? What do you think democracy is and voting? If the public doesn't like those pedophiles, then they'll vote them out and not allow their wishes to come true, simple as that. And if the public votes em in, then hey, that's what the public wants. Don't be all ass-hurt because a country may have different laws or another way of life than yours. - N
Paedophile activism does seem to be on the increase. They have a much more visible internet presence these days, with support from academics. Incidentally, paedophile is no longer the preferred term - refer to them as the 'childlover' movement if you wish to avoid causing offence. But I agree with Neildo. No-one in their right mind is going to vote these creatures in - are they?
I wouldn't get too excited, I very much doubt the kind of person who would exploit the undeveloped for sexual gratification would make up a huge part of any democracy. Even in lesser political systems it seems the majority of the population see paedophilia as morally base. Hence Gareth of glitterdom is doing hard time in veitnam.
Nothing wrong with that if they are. What's wrong with promoting democracy? Unlike Bush, they're making love, not war. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! - N
