Petition · past parliament · Ministry of Justice
Ban the naming of suspects/defendants before conviction
Closed
69 signatures
What the petition asks
We want the police, courts and media to be banned from naming suspects and defendants until they are convicted. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? We believe the naming of suspects and defendants can prejudice cases.
It should be made illegal to name suspects prior to conviction. Suspects have a right to a fair trial, and we believe suspects and defendants should not have to put up with public discussion of their guilt or innocence. This should solely be a matter for the courts. Naming of suspects and defendants can also affect their families.
Timeline
| 8 Jan 2024 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 29 May 2024 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
69
Status
Closed
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
8 Jan 2024
Closed
29 May 2024
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.