VİDEO SURVEILLANCE IN THE IRANIAN LAW; CRIME PREVENTION OR ABUSE OF CIVIL RIGHTS

Abstract

The use of special preventive methods with recourse to illegal initiatives by the police or other vigilantes on the pretext and in the name of providing security for people and properties jeopardizes personal liberties. This is while using closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras is not illegal in public places and for providing security; but the utilization of cameras in private sanctuaries of individuals is blatant violation of the personal sanctuaries and rights of individuals. Based on the rational option theory which is the foundation of this method, individuals’ incentive to commit crimes is impoverished upon noticing CCTVs due to fear of apprehension. Due to the intricacies of the issue, however, there is not a self-contained and comprehensive law currently in the Iranian law, considering how and why CCTVs are utilized; this underlines the need for further investigation to criminalize the cases of abuse and illegitimate intrusion into personal sanctuaries and penetration into civil rights of individuals through the installation of CCTV cameras. In this paper we will investigate the stance of such procedures in the Iranian judicial circle.