CONFIDENTIAL
ICELAND
Report by HM Embassy, Reykyavik.
Right No.
(i)
(ii)
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There is no imprisonment without trial. Article 65 of the Constitution stipulates that if a person is arrested a judge shall decide within 24 hours whether that person shall be remanded in custody or released.
Torture is not used.
(iii) Slavery does not exist.
(iv)
Freedom of speech, of the press, television and radio, are laid down in principle in the Icelandic Constitution, where it is stated inter alia that everyone is entitled to express his thoughts in print etc. lie must, however, be prepared to defend his activities before a court of law, eg in a libel action.
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(v)
The judiciary in Iceland are completely inde- pendent of the executive power.
(vi)
Freedom of association, including the freedom to set up or belong to trade unions, is a constitutional right.
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(vii) There is absolute freedom to emigrate.
CONFIDENTIAL