Denmark: Citizen Proposal to Ban Minors’ Use of Tiktok, Snapchat, and Instagram Qualifies for Parliamentary Consideration
On November 26, 2024, the Danish Parliament announced that a citizen initiative to ban minors from using Tiktok, Snapchat, and Instagram reached 50,000 supporters, qualifying the initiative for parliamentary review. On December 12, 2024, members presented the initiative to Parliament, which will hold a first reading of the proposal on February 20, 2025.Rules on Citizen’s … Continue reading “Denmark: Citizen Proposal to Ban Minors’…
Contributor:
Hofverberg, Elin
Date:2025-01-14
Article
Australia: New Privacy Legislation Criminalizes Doxxing
On November 29, 2024, Australia’s Parliament passed the Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024, which criminalizes doxxing—publishing a person’s private information in a harassing manner—and amends the Privacy Act 1988 and other relevant laws.BackgroundThe law’s enactment follows significant developments in 2023, when the Australian Attorney General released a Privacy Act Review Report proposing substantial … Continue reading “Australia: New Privacy Legislation Criminalizes Doxxing”
Contributor:
Goitom, Hanibal
Date:2024-12-16
Article
Sweden: Supreme Court Overturns Mother’s Prison Sentence for the Best Interests of Her Child
On October 24, 2024, the Swedish Supreme Court decided that a woman who was sentenced to prison should instead receive a conditional probation sentence for the best interests of her child.BackgroundThe woman was convicted of aggravated money laundering as part of a business activity, and for having helped her husband violate a ban on operating … Continue reading “Sweden: Supreme Court Overturns Mother’s Prison…
Contributor:
Hofverberg, Elin
Date:2024-11-20
Article
South Korea: Amendments to Take Effect Addressing Constitutionality of Family Relations Registration Act
On July 19, 2024, amendments to South Korea’s Act on Registration of Family Relations enacted to correct provisions found unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court will come into effect.Act No. 19547 (July 18, 2023) amended the Act on Registration of Family Relations (Act No. 8435, May 17, 2007, as amended) in accordance with a March 2023 … Continue reading “South Korea: Amendments to Take Effect…
Contributor:
Umeda, Sayuri
Date:2024-07-01
Article
Brazil: Rights of Children and Adolescents in Digital Environments Regulated
On April 5, 2024, Brazil’s Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship enacted Resolution No. 245, which provides for the rights of children and adolescents in digital environments. The resolution aims to address the risks of violations, exploitation, and abuse to which children are exposed through their use of digital technology. (Ministério dos Direitos Humanos e … Continue reading “Brazil: Rights of Children and Adolescents…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2024-04-14
Article
Zambia: Amendment to Marriage Act Enacted, Child Marriage Outlawed
On December 22, 2023, Zambia enacted an amendment (amendment act) to the 1918 Marriage Act that raised the minimum marriageable age to 18 for all marriages, including those concluded under customary law. The amendment act adopts the Zambian Constitution’s definition of the term “child” as “a person who has attained, or is below, the age … Continue reading “Zambia: Amendment to Marriage Act Enacted,…
Contributor:
Goitom, Hanibal
Date:2024-02-05
Article
Scotland: Court Upholds UK Government Order to Block Gender Recognition Bill from Becoming Law
On December 8, 2023, the Court of Session in Scotland issued an opinion refusing a petition for judicial review of the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill (Prohibition on Submission for Royal Assent) Order 2023 and upholding the order, which blocks the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill by prohibiting it from being submitted to receive royal … Continue reading “Scotland: Court Upholds UK Government Order…
Contributor:
Feikert-Ahalt, Clare
Date:2024-01-23
Article
Brazil: New Law Grants Special Pension to Children or Adolescents Orphaned due to Femicide
On October 31, 2023, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed into law legislation that creates a special pension for children and dependents under 18 years of age who have been orphaned due to the crime of femicide, as defined in article 121(§ 2)(VI) of Brazil’s Penal Code (Código Penal, Decreto-Lei No. 2.848, de … Continue reading “Brazil: New Law Grants Special Pension…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2023-11-29
Article
Pakistan: Balochistan Government Drafts Bill Outlawing Child Marriage
On March 22, 2023, the government of Balochistan province in Pakistan reportedly informed Pakistan’s Federal Shariat Court (FSC) that it had finalized a bill outlawing child marriage and would be submitting it to the provincial assembly for approval soon.Background to the BillThe province of Sindh enacted Pakistan’s first law prohibiting child marriages, called the Sindh … Continue reading “Pakistan: Balochistan Government Drafts Bill Outlawing…
Contributor:
Ahmad, Tariq
Date:2023-04-19
Article
Japan: Database of Teachers Who Committed Obscene Acts against Children Begins Operating
A database of teachers who lost their license for committing obscene acts against children began operating in Japan on April 1, 2023. The Act on the Prevention of Sexual Violence by Educational Personnel (Act No. 57 of 2021), which took effect on April 1, 2022, obligated the national government to establish the new database. (Act … Continue reading “Japan: Database of Teachers Who Committed…
Contributor:
Umeda, Sayuri
Date:2023-04-11
Article
United Kingdom: Government Blocks Scottish Gender Bill
On January 16, 2023, the government of the United Kingdom (U.K.), for the first time, made an order using section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 to prevent a Scottish Parliament bill from moving forward to receive Royal Assent and become law. The blocked bill is the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, which was passed … Continue reading “United Kingdom: Government Blocks Scottish Gender…
Contributor:
Feikert-Ahalt, Clare
Date:2023-02-09
Article
Malaysia: Federal Court Holds That Illegitimate Child Can Inherit from Father Who Died Intestate
On January 18, 2023, the Federal Court of Malaysia, Malaysia’s highest court, issued a decision in a case in which the illegitimate non-Muslim daughter of a businessman who died intestate sought the right to inherit a portion of his estate. (Tan Kah Fatt & Tan Sin Yee v Tan Ying, Rayuan Sivil No.: 02(f)-82-10/2019(B) (Jan. … Continue reading “Malaysia: Federal Court Holds That Illegitimate…
Contributor:
Buchanan, Kelly
Date:2023-02-07
Article
Zambia: Children’s Code Act Enacted
On August 24, 2022, Zambia’s president, Hakainde Hichilema, signed into law a comprehensive law governing children, the Children’s Code Act (Act No. 12) of 2022. The act, which includes 19 parts and 198 provisions, provides for a comprehensive legal framework to govern matters affecting children for the first time in the country’s history. It brought … Continue reading “Zambia: Children’s Code Act Enacted”
Contributor:
Goitom, Hanibal
Date:2022-12-29
Article
New Zealand: Supreme Court Declares Minimum Voting Age of 18 Inconsistent with Bill of Rights Act
On November 21, 2022, the Supreme Court of New Zealand released its decision in the case of Make It 16 Inc v Attorney-General [2022] NZSC 134 (Decision). The appellant in the case, a group seeking to have the voting age lowered from 18 years to 16 years, had argued that the current minimum voting age … Continue reading “New Zealand: Supreme Court Declares Minimum…
Contributor:
Buchanan, Kelly
Date:2022-11-24
Article
Norway: Supreme Court Rules Minors Enjoy Greater Protection under Hate Speech Provision than Adults
On September 8, 2022, the Norwegian Supreme Court in a 3–2 decision ruled that the age of the recipient of an offensive statement affects whether the statement constitutes hate speech under Norwegian law. (Decision HR-2022-1707-A.)The issue in the case was the meaning of a paragraph addressing hate speech in section 185 of the Norwegian Penal … Continue reading “Norway: Supreme Court Rules Minors Enjoy…
Contributor:
Hofverberg, Elin
Date:2022-10-17
Article
European Union: New Rules on Cross-Border Parental-Responsibility Disputes and Child Abduction Take Effect
On August 1, 2022, the Brussels IIb Regulation took effect, which provides updated rules for cross-border disputes in the European Union (EU) regarding parental responsibility and child abduction. It repeals and replaces the Brussels IIa Regulation, which has been in effect since March 2005. The regulation aims to provide more efficient rules and expedite procedures … Continue reading “European Union: New Rules on Cross-Border…
Contributor:
Gesley, Jenny
Date:2022-08-10
Article
Brazil: New Law Modifies Measures to Be Taken Against Parental Alienation
On May 18, 2022, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro signed into law Law No. 14,340, which amended Law No. 12,318 of August 26, 2010, to modify procedures to protect children from parental alienation, and Law No. 8,069 of July 13, 1990 (Child and Adolescent Statute), to establish additional procedures for the suspension of family power.According to … Continue reading “Brazil: New Law Modifies Measures to…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2022-07-04
Article
Brazil: New Decree Creates Comprehensive Protection Program for Children and Adolescents
On May 18, 2022, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro issued Decree No. 11,074, which amended Decree No. 9,579 of November 22, 2018, and created the Comprehensive Protection Program for Children and Adolescents – Protect Brazil and its management committee (comitê gestor).Decree No. 9,579 consolidated normative acts published by the federal executive branch that provide for infants, … Continue reading “Brazil: New Decree Creates Comprehensive Protection…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2022-06-22
Article
Brazil: New Law Creates Protective Measures for Child Victims of Domestic Violence
On May 24, 2022, Law No. 14,344, creating new mechanisms for preventing and confronting domestic and family violence against children and adolescents, was signed into law by Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The provisions of the law were formulated in accordance with articles 226(§ 8) and 227(§ 4) of the Federal Constitution and with specific provisions … Continue reading “Brazil: New Law Creates Protective Measures…
Contributor:
Soares, Eduardo
Date:2022-06-15
Article
Egypt: Cabinet Approves Draft Law on Criminalizing Underage Marriage
On April 12, 2022, the Egyptian Cabinet approved a draft law on criminalizing underage marriages in Egypt. The draft law would punish the parents of the underage bride and groom, the officiator conducting such a marriage, and any adult over the age of 18 who marries a minor. The main objective of the draft law … Continue reading “Egypt: Cabinet Approves Draft Law on…
Contributor:
Sadek, George
Date:2022-05-04
Article
Switzerland: Popular Initiative to Protect Young People from Tobacco Advertisements Approved
On February 13, 2022, the popular initiative “Yes, to the Protection of Children and Young Adults from Tobacco Advertising (No Tobacco Ads for Children and Young Adults)” reached the necessary majority for approval in Switzerland. The goal of the popular initiative was to prohibit tobacco advertisements wherever they are visible to children and young people — … Continue reading “Switzerland: Popular Initiative to Protect…
Contributor:
Gesley, Jenny
Date:2022-03-01
Article
New Zealand: Bill Prohibiting Conversion Therapy Passed
On February 15, 2022, the New Zealand Parliament passed the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill, “an omnibus bill to prohibit conversion practices that seek to change or suppress a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.” The bill defines conversion practices as any practice, sustained effort, or treatment thatis directed towards someone because of … Continue reading “New Zealand: Bill Prohibiting Conversion Therapy…
Contributor:
Buchanan, Kelly
Date:2022-02-16
Article
Italy: Single and Universal Allowance for Dependent Children Established
On December 31, 2021, Legislative Decree No. 230 of December 21, 2021 (L.D. No. 230) entered into effect in Italy, with the purpose of establishing the Single and Universal Allowance for Dependent Children effective March 1, 2022. The allowance consists of a monthly economic benefit payable during one year to households on the basis of their … Continue reading “Italy: Single and Universal Allowance…
Contributor:
Figueroa, Dante
Date:2022-02-06
Article
Austria: Constitutional Court Holds Unmarried Couples May Adopt Together
In a decision published on January 10, 2022, the Austrian Constitutional Court (Verfassungsgerichtshof, VfGH) held that the Austrian Civil Code does not exclude unmarried couples from joint or second parent (successive) adoption. Even though it rejected the applicants’ claim that the relevant section of the Austrian Civil Code was unconstitutional, the Constitutional Court ruled that … Continue reading “Austria: Constitutional Court Holds Unmarried Couples…
Contributor:
Gesley, Jenny
Date:2022-02-02
Article
Portugal: New Law Allows Medically Assisted Procreation Through Postmortem Insemination
On November 12, 2021, Law No. 72/2021 (Lei No. 72/2021, de 12 de novembro) was published in Portugal’s Official Gazette of the Republic. Law No. 72/2021 amended Law No. 32 of July 26, 2006 (Lei No. 32/2006, de 26 de julho) to permit the use of medically assisted procreation through insemination after the death of … Continue reading “Portugal: New Law Allows Medically Assisted…
