Legality of child pornography

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World map of child pornography laws
  Possession of child pornography legal
  Possession of child pornography illegal
  Possession of all pornography illegal
  Data unavailable

Laws regarding child pornography exist in 94 of the 187 Interpol member states as of 2008.[1][2] Of those 94 countries, 58 criminalized possession of child pornography regardless of intent to distribute.[1] This figure does not count legislation outlawing all pornography;[1] figures also including non-specific bans on all pornography would therefore be higher if available.

Convictions for possessing child pornography also usually include prison sentences, but those sentences are often converted to probation for first-time offenders.[3] Some nations such as Canada and Australia have laws banning cartoon, manga or written child pornography and others require ISPs (Internet Service Providers) to monitor internet traffic to detect it.[4][5][6]

The United Nations Optional Protocol on the Rights of the Child requires states to outlaw the "producing, distributing, disseminating, importing, exporting, offering, selling or possessing for the above purposes" of child pornography.[7] The Council of Europe's Cybercrime Convention, and the EU Framework Decision that became active in 2006, require signatory or member states to criminalize all aspects of child pornography.[3] Article 34 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) stated that all signatories shall take appropriate measures to prevent the exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials.

International treaties

International obligations to pass specific laws against child pornography "punishable by appropriate penalties that take into account their grave nature" as well as enable extradition, mutual assistance in investigation, and seizure of property were mandated by the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.

Some of the negotiations and reviews of the process took place at the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children held in 1996 and 2001.[8]

Africa

Benin

The law in Benin does not prohibit child pornography.[9]

Botswana

Possession of child pornography is illegal in Botswana and punishable with 5 to 15 years in prison.[10]

Burkina Faso

Possession of child pornography is illegal in Burkina Faso.[11]

Burundi

Possession of child pornography is illegal in Burundi and punishable by fines and three to five years in prison.[12]

Cameroon

While there is no minimum age of consent in Cameroon, the law prohibits the use of children for the production of pornography. Distributing child pornography or any document that "could harm the dignity" of a child is punishable by 5 to 10 years of imprisonment and fines from 5 million CFA francs to 10 million CFA francs. It is not known if possession of child pornography is illegal.[13]

Republic of the Congo

Child pornography in the Republic of the Congo is punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to 500,000 CFA.[14]

Central African Republic

The law in the Central African Republic does not prohibit child pornography.[15]

Ivory Coast

Using children for pornographic films, pictures, or events is illegal in Ivory Coast and is punishable by between one month and two years of imprisonment and a fine of FCFA 30,000 to 300,000.[16]

Djibouti

Under laws prohibiting attacks on "good morals", the sale, production, and distribution of all pornography, including child pornography, is illegal in Djibouti and punishable by one year in prison and a fine of up to DJF 200,000.[17]

Equatorial Guinea

The law in Equatorial Guinea does not prohibit child pornography.[18]

Eritrea

Child pornography is illegal in Eritrea.[19]

Gabon

The possession of all pornography, including child pornography, is illegal in Gabon and punishable by imprisonment from six months to one year and/or fines up to 222,000 CFA francs.[20]

The Gambia

Child pornography is illegal in the Gambia and punishable by up to five years in prison.[21]

Ghana

While the law in Ghana does not specifically prohibit child pornography, it can be prosecuted as an "offense against public morals" which is punishable by a maximum of three years in prison and/or a fine ranging from 120 to 600 cedis.[22]

Guinea

Child pornography in Guinea is illegal.[23]

Guinea-Bissau

The law in Guinea-Bissau does not prohibit child pornography.[24]

Lesotho

Child pornography is illegal in Lesotho and is punishable by imprisonment of up to 2½ years and/or a fine up to 30,000 maloti. In child pornography production cases where a child is trafficked, the offender faces up to life imprisonment and a fine of 2 million maloti.[25]

Liberia

Child pornography is illegal in Liberia and is punishable by up to 5 years' imprisonment.[26]

Madagascar

The government in Madagascar in 2007 adopted a law modifying the criminal code to define child pornography, making it illegal. As of 2012, the laws have been used in court on several occasions but has not resulted in a conviction. Officials said the laws were often not uniformly interpreted or applied.[27]

Mali

Child pornography is considered a form of indecent assault under the criminal code in Mali and is punishable by 5 to 20 years in prison.[28]

Mauritania

Possession of child pornography is illegal in Mauritania with penalties of two months to one year in prison and a 160,000 to 300,000 ouguiya fine.[29]

Mauritius

Child pornography is illegal in Mauritius.[30]

Mozambique

Child pornography is illegal in Mozambique but appears to be rarely prosecuted. There were no reports of prosecutions for child pornography in 2011.[31]

Namibia

Production and possession of child pornography is illegal in Namibia.[32]

Niger

Child pornography is illegal in Niger and punishable by 3 to 5 years in prison.[33]

Nigeria

The Child Rights Act makes child pornography illegal in Nigeria, but not all states have implemented it.[34]

Rwanda

Child pornography is illegal in Rwanda and punishable by 5 to 10 years in prison and a fine of 200,000 to 500,000 Rwandan francs.[35]

São Tomé and Príncipe

The law in São Tomé and Príncipe does not prohibit child pornography.[36]

Senegal

All pornography, including child pornography, is illegal in Senegal.[37]

Sierra Leone

While the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender, and Children’s Issues has indicated child pornography cases are covered under the Child Rights Act of 2007, which prohibits "cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment" of children, the law in Sierra Leone does not prohibit child pornography. As of 2012, there is no record of anyone ever having been charged or convicted of child pornography.[38]

Somalia

Article 29 of Somalia's national constitution defines a child as any individual under the age of 18, and stipulates that "every child has the right to be protected from mistreatment, neglect, abuse, or degradation."[39]

South Africa

Child pornography is illegal in South Africa and is punishable by fines and up to 10 years in prison.[40]

South Sudan

The law in South Sudan does not prohibit child pornography.[41]

Sudan

All pornography, including child pornography, is illegal in Sudan.[42]

Togo

Child pornography is illegal in Togo and is punishable by 5 to 10 years in prison.[43]

Uganda

The law in Uganda does not prohibit child pornography.[44]

Zambia

Child pornography is illegal in Zambia with penalties of up to life imprisonment.[45]

Zimbabwe

While it appears the law in Zimbabwe does not specifically prohibit child pornography, a person in possession of child pornography can be charged with public indecency which is punishable by a fine of $600, imprisonment up to six months, or both.[46]

The Americas

Argentina

The law in Argentina does not prohibit the simple possession of child pornography, but child pornography possession with the intent to distribute is punishable by imprisonment ranging from 4 months to 2 years. Production and distribution of child pornography is illegal and punishable by between 6 months and 4 years in prison.[47]

Belize

The law in Belize does not prohibit the simple possession of child pornography.[48] It is unclear if distribution of child pornography is illegal.

Brazil

Production, distribution and possession of child pornography are clearly illegal and widely prosecuted in Brazil in accordance with its Code of Minors. Also possibly illegal would be simple visualization and lack of denunciation, though it is not directly mentioned in the Code of Minors. Level of enforcement has historically varied by courts. Brazil also criminalizes every kind of prostitution of those under 18 years of age more severely.

While the simple visualization of cartoons depicting sexual acts involving apparently human minors may not be illegal in itself, possession and especially production and/or distribution can be interpreted in courts to be of the same level of actual child pornography, since legislation is vague on the subject (see Articles 241-C and 241-E of the Code of Minors). Such a scenario is very remote though, as Brazilian courts do not often charge people for victimless crimes, especially those related to sexual misconduct (for example, while the age of consent is 14, the 18-year-old sexual partner of a consenting 13-year-old was once freed after less than two days by a judge[49]).

"Article 240. To produce, reproduce, direct, photograph, film or record, by any means, explicit sex scenes or pornography involving a child or adolescent (Amended by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

Penalty - imprisonment of four (4) to eight (8) years and a fine. (Amended by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

§1 Incurs the same penalties whom brokerages, facilitates, recruits, coerces, or otherwise mediates the participation of children and adolescents in the scenes mentioned in this article, or with those whom they contrascene. (Amended by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

§2 The penalty is acrescented a further third if the agent commits the crime: (Amended by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

I – at the public position or function or at the pretext to excerce it; (Amended by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

II – prevailing itself of domestic relationships, co-habitation or hospitality; or (Amended by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

III – prevailing itself of relations of affinity of consanguinity to the third degree, or by adoption, in position of guardian, custodian, mentor, employer of the victim or who, in any capacity, has authority over his/hers, be it with its consent. (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

Article 241. To sell or to expose to sell photograph, video or other record that contains explicit sexual or pornographic scenes involving children or adolescents: (Amended by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

Penalty – imprisonment of four (4) to eight (8) years and a fine. (Amended by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

Article 241-A. To offer, exchange, disponibilize, transmite, distribute, publish or divulge by any means, including through system of computing or telematics, photograph, video, or other record containing explicit sexual or pornographic scenes involving children or adolescents: (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

Penalty – imprisonment of three (3) to six (6) years and a fine. (Amended by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

§1 The same penalties apply to those who: (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

I - ensures the facilities or services for the storage of photographs, footage or images treated in the caput of this Article; (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

II - secures, by any means, access to the internet for photographs, footage or images treated in the caput of this article. (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

§2 The conducts typified in sections I and II of § 1 of this Article shall be punishable when the legal representative for the service has been officially notified, fails to disable access to the illegal content treated in the caput of this article. (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

Article 241-B. Acquiring, possessing or storing by any means, photograph, video or other form of record that contains explicit sexual or pornographic scenes involving children or adolescents: (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

Penalty - imprisonment of one (1) to four (4) years and a fine. (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

§1 The penalty is reduced by 1/3 (one third) to 2/3 (two thirds) if the material referred to in the caput of this article is of small amount. (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

§2 There is no crime if the possession or storage is intended to communicate to the competent authorities the occurrence of the conduct described in Articles 240, 241, 241-A and 241-C of this Act, when the call is made by: (Included by law No. 11,829, 2008)

I - public officer in the exercise of its duties; (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

II - member of organization, legally constituted, which includes, among its institutional purposes, receiving, processing and forwarding news of the crimes listed in this paragraph; (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

III - legal representative and officials of Internet Service Provider or service provided through computer network, upon receiving the news related materials made to the police, the prosecutor or the judiciary. (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

§3 The persons referred to in §2 of this Article shall keep confidential the referred infringing material. (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

Article 241-C. To simulate the participation of children or adolescents in explicit sexual or pornographic scenes by tampering, digital editing or modification of photograph, video or any other form of visual representation: (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

Penalty - imprisonment of one (1) to three (3) years and a fine. (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

Single paragraph. Incurs the same penalties whom sells, offers for sale, delivers, distributes, publishes or disseminates by any means, acquires, owns or holds the material produced in the form of the caput of this article. (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)

(...)

Article 241-E. For the purpose of the crimes defined in this Law, the term "explicit sexual or pornographic scenes" means any situation involving children or adolescents in explicit sexual activities, real or simulated [emphasis added], or exhibition of the genitals of a child or adolescent for primarily sexual motivations. (Included by Law No. 11,829, 2008)"[50]

Canada

Main article: Child pornography laws in Canada

Canadian law forbids the production, distribution, and possession of child pornography. Possession of child pornography is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Production and distribution of child pornography is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Browsing for child pornography on the internet is punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Prohibitions cover visual representations of sexual activity by persons (real or imaginary) under the age of 18, depiction of their sexual organ/anal region for a sexual purpose, or any written material or visual representation that advocates child pornography offenses against a person under 18. There is an exception for material with artistic merit or an educational, scientific, or medical purpose. The law against simple possession of child pornography was declared void in British Columbia by a 1998 provincial court ruling but this decision was overturned two years later by the Canadian Supreme Court.[51] The high court further concluded that a "person" under the law could be either real or fictional and that the prohibition of written texts was potentially acceptable.[52][53] Cases have now been prosecuted in Canada involving anime and manga child pornography.[5]

Ecuador

The possession, storing, fabrication or distribution of child pornography or any other kind of sexually explicit pedophile material is illegal under Ecuadorian law.[54]

Guyana

The law in Guyana does not specifically prohibit child pornography. However, the law does regulate the sale, publishing, or exhibiting of obscene material, defined as anything that could deprive or corrupt those open to immoral influences.[55]

Jamaica

The protection, possession, importation, exportation, and distribution of child pornography is illegal in Jamaica and is punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of J$500,000.[56]

Mexico

Child pornography is illegal in Mexico and laws are strictly enforced. Any person caught producing, distributing, possessing, owning, exporting, importing child pornography or browsing for child pornography over the internet, involving children engaging in sexually explicit conduct or posing in sexually explicit manners shall be punished with up to 12 years' imprisonment, with hard labor, as well as a fine up to MXN $500,000. A second conviction for child pornography requires the offenders to be placed on the Sex Offender Registry permanently.

United States

Main article: Child pornography laws in the United States

Although child pornography may also be obscene, a legal term that refers to offensive or violent forms of pornography that have been declared by decisions by the US Supreme Court to be outside the protection of the First Amendment regarding free speech,[57] it is defined differently from obscenity. Federal Sentencing Guidelines regarding child pornography differentiate between production, distribution and purchasing/receiving, and also include variations in severity based on the age of the child involved in the materials, with significant increases in penalties when the offense involves a prepubescent child or a child under the age of 12. The punishments are usually very severe normally ranging from 5 to 40 years' imprisonment. The US laws against child pornography are always enforced and among the harshest in the world.[58] However, Simulated child pornography remains to be legal everywhere in the US. Despite the very harsh laws, the U.S. is one of the largest producers of Child pornography in the world, behind Japan and Russia.

Asia

Bangladesh

The possession, production, distribution and public sale of child pornography is illegal in Bangladesh and punishment by fines and up to 10 years' imprisonment. Trafficking in children for "illegal and immoral purposes" is a capital offence in Bangladesh and the offenders can face the death penalty or up to life imprisonment.

China

Pornography of any kind, including child pornography is illegal in the People's Republic of China. Under the criminal code of China, those producing, reproducing, publishing, selling, or disseminating obscene materials with the purpose of making a profit may be sentenced up to three years in prison or put under criminal detention or surveillance, in addition to paying a fine. Offenders in serious cases may receive prison sentences of three to 10 years, in addition to paying a fine. If the case is especially serious, they are to be sentenced to 10 years or more in prison or given a life sentence, in addition to a fine or confiscation of property. Persons found disseminating obscene books, magazines, films, audio or video products, pictures, or other kinds of obscene materials, if the case is serious, may be sentenced up to two years in prison or put under criminal detention or surveillance. Persons organizing the broadcast of obscene motion pictures or other audio or video products may be sentenced up to three years in prison or put under criminal detention or surveillance, in addition to paying a fine. If the case is serious, they are to be sentenced to three to 10 years in prison in addition to paying a fine. Broadcasting or showing obscene materials to those under the age of 18 is also illegal.[59]

Comoros

Possession and production of child pornography is illegal in Comoros.[60]

Hong Kong

As in Mainland China, child pornography of any kind is illegal in Hong Kong. The law makes it an offense to possess, produce, copy, import, or export pornography involving a child under 18 years of age, or to publish or cause to be published any advertisement that conveys or is likely to be understood as conveying the message that any person has published, publishes, or intends to publish any child pornography. The penalty for creation, publication, or advertisement of child pornography is eight years’ imprisonment, while possession carries a penalty of five years’ imprisonment.[61]

India

Child pornography in India is illegal. In February 2009, the Parliament of India passed the Information Technology (Amendment) Bill which made creation and transmission of child pornography illegal. The bill also enables India's law enforcement agencies to take action against those seeking child pornography. For example, browsing for child pornography on the internet can lead to a 5-year term in imprisonment and Rs. 1 million fine.[62]

Iran

All pornography, including child pornography, is illegal in Iran.[63]

Japan

Main article: Child pornography laws in Japan

Simple possession of child pornography, with no intent of sale or distribution, is legal in Japan. However, the production, sale, distribution, and/or commercialization of child pornography is illegal under Article 7 of the Act on Punishment of Activities Relating to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, and the Protection of Children[64] and is punishable by a maximum penalty of 3 years in prison and/or a fine of ¥3,000,000.[65] Possession of child pornography with any intent of distribution or sale is also illegal.[64] Pornographic art depicting underage characters (lolicon and shotacon) and photography of underage models (Junior Idol) remain controversial in Japan.

Kazakhstan

The law in Kazakhstan does not prohibit the simple possession of child pornography.[48] In 2010, the government introduced a criminal statute on the production and distribution of child pornography. Those convicted face administrative penalties.[66]

Malaysia

Malaysia does not have specific legislation about child pornography. However, the offense of rape and other forms of child sex abuse are punishable under Section 376 and Section 376B of the Penal Code, as well as the Child Act 2001. The age of consent for sexual activity in Malaysia is 16 years and above for both males and females.[67]

Pakistan

All pornography is illegal in Pakistan regardless of whether it is adult or child pornography.[citation needed]

Philippines

Main article: Child pornography in the Philippines

The Philippines passed Republic Act No. 9775 "Anti Child Pornography Act" in November 2009. The Act outlaws the production, creation, distribution and possession of child pornography. It also places obligations on mall operators and owners of commercial property to ensure that violations of child pornography are not being committed on their premises.

Controversially, the Act also creates obligations on internet-related service providers to ensure child pornography is not being stored or transmitted through their services. The Act requires internet service providers and internet hosting services to employ filtering software and to report child pornography violations within 7 days of discovery. How this obligation is to be implemented is yet to be seen. As of February 2010 the implementing rules and regulations were yet to be released by the National Telecommunications Commission and the Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography.

The law also expressly places obligations upon photo developers, information technology professionals, credit card companies, banks and anyone with direct knowledge of child pornography activities to report suspected child pornography materials and transaction within 7 days of discovery.

Prior to the Anti-Child Pornography Act, it was already illegal to use children for pornography and to sell and distribute that material. Under section 9 of Republic Act No. 7610 "Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act", its prohibited to hire, employ, use, persuade, induce or coerce a child into performing for obscene publications or pornographic materials.

In addition, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (Republic Act no. 9208) also outlaws the trafficking of children for the use in pornographic material.

Saudi Arabia

All pornography is illegal in Saudi Arabia, and the law makes no distinction between adult pornography and child pornography.[68]

South Korea

The law in South Korea does not prohibit simple possession of child pornography.[48] However, possession of child pornography is illegal if it is for the purpose of selling, renting, or distributing it for profit. This, and the production of child pornography, is punishable by up to 7 years in prison and a fine up to 20 million won.[69]

Sri Lanka

Production, distribution, sale and possession of child pornography is illegal in Sri Lanka. It is punishable by up to 20 years' imprisonment, severe fines and/or forfeiture of property.

Syria

Child pornography is considered a trafficking crime in Syria, but is unclear if this includes simple possession. The penalties for child pornography are also unknown and it is unclear if anyone was ever prosecuted for child pornography.[70]

Taiwan

Child and Adolescent Sex Exploitation Prevention Act criminalized the production, broadcast, distribution, exhibition of child pornography. Simple possession of such materials without justifiable cause is punishable by fines.[citation needed]

Thailand

The production, distribution, import, or export of child pornography is illegal in Thailand and punishable by a maximum of 3 years in prison and a fine not more than 6,000 baht.[71] The law does not prohibit simple possession of child pornography.[48]

Turkey

The law in Turkey does not prohibit simple possession of child pornography.[48] Production and distribution of child pornography is illegal and is punishable by imprisonment of 6 months to 2 years as well as a fine.[72]

Vietnam

The production, distribution, dissemination, and sale of child pornography is illegal in Vietnam and is punishable by 3 to 10 years in prison. It is unknown if simple possession of child pornography is illegal.[73]

Europe

Albania

The production and distribution of child pornography is illegal in Albania and punishable by a fine of 1 million leks to 5 million leks and a prison sentence of 1 to 5 years. It is unknown if simple possession of child pornography is illegal.[74]

Andorra

Child pornography is illegal in Andorra and punishable by up to 4 years in prison.[75]

Armenia

Child pornography is illegal in Armenia and punishable by up to 7 years in prison.[76]

Belarus

The law in Belarus does not prohibit the simple possession of child pornography,[48] but production and distribution of pornographic materials depicting a minor is illegal and punishable by up to 13 years in prison.[77]

Croatia

Possession, production and distribution of child pornography is illegal in Croatia and punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Also, exposing children to pornography may result in fines or a sentence of up to one year in prison.[78]

Czech Republic

The possession, manufacturing, and distribution of child pornography is illegal in the Czech Republic and punishable by up to 8 years in prison.[79] Possession of child pornography was made illegal in 2007 and is punishable by up to 2 years in prison.[80]

Denmark

Possession, distribution, and production of child pornography is illegal under Danish law, likewise is spectating such an act even without taking part. Specifically, §230, §235, and §235a in the Danish Penal Code are concerned with children and pornography, although the language is dated and vague.[81]

France

The law in France prohibits child pornography; the maximum penalty for its use and distribution is five years imprisonment and a €75,000 euro ($97,500) fine.

Germany

The production, distribution, possession and possession for sale of child pornography is illegal in Germany. A conviction for either one is punishable by up to 14 years' imprisonment. Attempting to gain access to child pornography is punishable by up to 5 years of imprisonment.[citation needed]

Greece

The law in Greece prohibits the possession and circulation of child pornography, treating it as a felony and is punishable by 5 to 10 years’ imprisonment.[82]

Hungary

The law in Hungary prohibits child pornography of any kind and is punishable by up to eight years in prison.[83]

Iceland

Possession of child pornography is illegal in Iceland and punishable by up to two years in prison.[84]

Monaco

Production and possession of child pornography is illegal in Monaco.[48] Since April 2009, the government of Monaco uses a list established by the Internet Watch Foundation to block access to websites containing child pornography.[85]

Netherlands

Main article: Child pornography laws in the Netherlands

Production, possession, and distribution of child pornography and accessing child pornography on the Internet is illegal in the Netherlands and punishable by up to 4 years in prison.[86]

Portugal

Main article: Child pornography laws in Portugal

Child pornography is statutorily criminalised in the Portuguese Criminal Code (Código Penal Português). The age of sexual content in Portugal is, in principle, 16 years of age. The participation of underage persons in pornographic scenes is subject to stricter standards however because they are subject to the general regime of adulthood, which was set by the Civil Code at the age of 18.

Romania

The criminal code of Romania stipulates 3 to 10-year jail sentences for sexual acts with minors under 15 years of age, the age of consent. The display, selling, dissemination, renting, distribution, and production of child pornography is punishable by five to 10 years in jail and, if coercion is used, by 15 to 20 years in jail.[87]

Russia

In Russia, production, trade turnover of child pornography materials, as well as involvement underage individuals into production of such materials is punishable by deprivation of liberty for a term of two to fifteen years. The possession of child pornography with the intent to distribute it is prohibited by article 242.1 of the Russian Penal Code; however, simple possession of child pornography is not prohibited. [88]

Slovakia

The production, distribution, or possession of child pornography is prohibited in Slovakia; the penalties for breaking the law range from two to 20 years’ imprisonment.[89]

Spain

The law in Spain prohibits child pornography. The penal code criminalizes both using a minor “to prepare any type of pornographic material” and producing, selling, distributing, displaying, or facilitating the production, sale, dissemination, or exhibition, of “any type” of child pornography by “any means.” Knowingly possessing child pornography is also penalized, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to one year. The penalty for the production, sale, or distribution of pornography in which a child under 18 years of age has been involved is imprisonment from one to four years or up to eight years if the child is under 13.[90]

Sweden

Presumed illegal prior to 1971. Legal from 1971-1980. Now still illegal. The National Library of Sweden experienced a dispute regarding the alleged collection due to their legal obligation to archive all material printed on Swedish soil.[91][92] This became publicized as activist groups Hand in Hand and Anhöriga till sexuellt utnyttjade barn became involved.[93]

Ukraine

The law in Ukraine does not prohibit simple possession of child pornography,[48] but courts have the authority to limit access to websites which distribute child pornography and to impose financial penalties and prison sentences for those running the websites.

Nina Karpachova, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, said in June 2011 that a significant amount of child pornography available on the Internet originates in Ukraine. It is believed the child pornography market in Ukraine is worth about $100 million per year.[94]

United Kingdom

Main article: Child pornography laws in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, it is illegal to take, make, distribute, show or possess an indecent image of a child under 18. Before 2003 it was illegal to take, make, distribute, show or possess an indecent image of a child under 16. The maximum sentence is 10 years imprisonment for extreme cases, 5 years imprisonment for high level cases & a summary conviction of 6 months imprisonment and/or statutory maximum fine for lower level cases.

Oceania

Australia

Main article: Child pornography laws in Australia

The maximum penalty is 10 years' jail and/or a $275,000 fine. People have been successfully prosecuted after describing acts of abuse via MMS.[4] Operation Auxin in September 2004 led to the arrest of almost 200 people on charges of child pornography, and "sting" operations are common.

In December 2008, a Sydney man was convicted with possessing child pornography after sexually explicit pictures of children characters from The Simpsons were found on his computer. The NSW Supreme Court upheld a Local Court decision that the animated Simpsons characters "depicted", and thus "could be considered", real people.[95]

Also in March 2011, a Tasmanian man was convicted with possessing child pornography after police investigators discovered an electronic copy of The Pearl by Anonymous on his computer. The Pearl is available for purchase within Australia and published by Harper Collins.[96] The conviction was set aside on appeal.[97]

New Zealand

Browsing for or attempting to privately gain access to child pornography is illegal in New Zealand and could possibly face up to a 5 year sentence in federal prison or a fine up to $NZ50,000. The production of child pornography as well as distribution carries stricter punishments. Distribution carries a penalty of up to 14 years' imprisonment. Production of child pornography is considered a form of child sexual abuse under the criminal code of New Zealand which is punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment or a fine up to $NZ200,000.

Palau

The law in the Republic of Palau does not address child pornography.[98]

Papua New Guinea

Every type of pornography in Papua New Guinea with laws strictly enforced. Pornographic websites are blocked in the country. The possession, sale, import and export of pornography is punishable by up to 6 months' imprisonment with a fine up to 1,000,000 krona. Child pornography is illegal in Papua New Guinea and punishable by 5 to 15 years' imprisonment and/or a fine up to 2 million krona.[99]

See also

References

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  2. ^ "Child Pornography Not a Crime in Most Countries" (PDF). International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children. 2006. Retrieved 2010-02-27.
  3. ^ a b Akdeniz, Yaman (2008). Internet child pornography and the law: national and international responses. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 11. ISBN 0-7546-2297-5.
  4. ^ a b AFP (2007-07-17). "Queensland man charged over SMS child pornography".
  5. ^ a b Canadian Arrested for Importing Loli-porn Manga (March 4, 2005, Anime News Network). Retrieved June 23, 2008.
  6. ^ "REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9775". Lawphil.net. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  7. ^ "Article 3, (1)(c)". Undemocracy.com. 2000-05-25. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  8. ^ "World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children". Csecworldcongress.org. 2002-07-27. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  9. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Benin". State.gov. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  10. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Botswana". State.gov. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  11. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Burkina Faso". State.gov. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  12. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Burundi". State.gov. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  13. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Cameroon". State.gov. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  14. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Republic of the Congo". State.gov. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  15. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Central African Republic". State.gov. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  16. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Cote d'Ivoire". State.gov. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  17. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Djibouti". State.gov. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  18. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Equatorial Guinea". State.gov. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  19. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Eritrea
  20. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Gabon
  21. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: The Gambia
  22. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Ghana
  23. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Guinea
  24. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Guinea-Bissau
  25. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Lesotho
  26. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Liberia
  27. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Madagascar
  28. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Mali
  29. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Mauritania
  30. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Mauritius
  31. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Mozambique
  32. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Namibia
  33. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Niger
  34. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Nigeria
  35. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Rwanda
  36. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Sao Tome and Principe
  37. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Senegal
  38. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Sierra Leone
  39. ^ "The Federal Republic of Somalia - Provisional Constitution" (PDF). Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  40. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: South Africa
  41. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: South Sudan
  42. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Sudan
  43. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Togo
  44. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Uganda
  45. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Zambia
  46. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Zimbabwe
  47. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Argentina". State.gov. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  48. ^ a b c d e f g h "International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  49. ^ Template:Pt icon Brazilian justice system frees man, 18, arrested for publicly kissing young teenager, 13 — Last News - MSN Estadão. Online version of O Estado de S. Paulo newspaper.
  50. ^ Template:Pt icon Code of Minors of Brazil (Article 244-A)
  51. ^ R v Sharpe (Supreme Court of British Columbia January 13, 1999) ("As s-s.(4) is in violation of s.2(b) of the Charter and is not justified under s.1, s-s.(4) must be and is declared void."), Text.
  52. ^ R v Sharpe (Supreme Court of Canada January 26, 2001) ("The reach of the proscription is further broadened by extending it to the depiction of both real and imaginary persons."), Text.
  53. ^ R v Sharpe (Supreme Court of Canada January 26, 2001) ("...materials that advocate or counsel sexual offences with children may qualify"), Text.
  54. ^ Template:Es icon Vacío legal para delitos en internet
  55. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Guyana
  56. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Jamaica
  57. ^ "Remarks of Arnold I Burns Before the Florida Law Enforcement Committee on Obscenity, Organized Crime and Child Pornography". NCJ 109133. National Institute of Justice. 1987-12-03.
  58. ^ "Sex Offenses Against Children: Findings and Recommendations Regarding Federal Penalties (as directed in the Sex Crimes Against Children Prevention Act of 1995, Section 6, Public Law 104-71)". United States Sentencing Commission. June 1996: p9. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  59. ^ 2011 Human Rights Report: China (includes Tibet, Hong Kong, and Macau)
  60. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Comoros". State.gov. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  61. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: China (includes Tibet, Hong Kong, and Macau) - Hong Kong
  62. ^ Swati Deshpande (2009-02-16). "Browsing child porn will land you in jail". The Times of India. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
  63. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Iran
  64. ^ a b "Act on Punishment of Activities Relating to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, and the Protection of Children". Japaneselawtranslation.go.jp. 1999-05-26. Retrieved 2013-03-05.
  65. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Japan
  66. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Kazakhstan
  67. ^ http://www.interpol.int/public/children/sexualabuse/nationallaws/csamalaysia.pdf
  68. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Saudi Arabia
  69. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: South Korea
  70. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Syria
  71. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Thailand
  72. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Turkey
  73. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Vietnam
  74. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Albania". State.gov. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  75. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Andorra". State.gov. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  76. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Armenia". State.gov. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  77. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Belarus". State.gov. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  78. ^ "Croatia" (PDF). State.gov. Retrieved 2013-11-03.
  79. ^ "2011 Human Rights Reports: Czech Republic". State.gov. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
  80. ^ http://business.center.cz/business/pravo/zakony/trestni_zakon/cast2h5.aspx
  81. ^ Straffeloven Accessed 21 March 2013 The laws are listed below. For further judicial reading on the topic, see for instance Greve, Vagn, Asbjørn Jensen, and Gorm Toftegaard Nielsen. Kommenteret straffelov: Speciel del: Lovbekendtgørelse nr. 849 af 6. september 2000 af Straffeloven af 15. april 1930 med ændringer kap. 12-29 (§§ 98-306). 7 omarbejdede udg. Djøf/Jurist-og Økonomforbundet, 2001 (and newer editions) and [http://jm.schultzboghandel.dk/upload/microsites/jm/ebooks/bet1534/index.html Straffelovrådets betænkning om seksualforbrydelser] (The Judicial Counsel's consideration about sexual crimes), part 2.
  82. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Greece
  83. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Hungary
  84. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Iceland
  85. ^ Fight against child pornography
  86. ^ Wetboek van Strafrecht article 240b
  87. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Romania
  88. ^ Chapter 25 of Russian Penal Code, Crimes Against Human Health and Public Morality
  89. ^ Human Rights Reports: Slovakia
  90. ^ Human Rights Reports: Spain
  91. ^ David Landes of Swedish "The Local": Swedish national library in child porn scandal January 21, 2009
  92. ^ KB:s innehav av barnporr kartlagt (Swedish)
  93. ^ Peter Vinthagen Simpson of Swedish "The Local": Swedish national library reported for child porn April 6, 2009
  94. ^ 2011 Human Rights Reports: Ukraine
  95. ^ "Simpsons cartoon rip-off is child porn: judge". The Age. 2008-12-08. Retrieved 2009-11-18. A NSW Supreme Court judge has ruled an internet cartoon in which lookalike child characters from The Simpsons engage in sexual acts is child pornography.
  96. ^ Tasmanian alderman David Traynor gets child porn conviction for book still sold in Australia The Australian. 2011-03-03. Retrieved 2011-04-7
  97. ^ Child porn finding revoked 11 August 2011
  98. ^ 2011 Human Rights Report: Palau
  99. ^ 2011 Human Rights Report: Papua New Guinea

External links

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