Artikel 13: Confidentiality of correspondence

Artikel 13
  1. Everyone shall have the right to respect for the privacy of his correspondence and telecommunications.
  2. This right may be restricted in the cases laid down by Act of Parliament with the authorisation of the courts or, in the interests of state security, by or with the authorisation of those designated for the purpose by Act of Parliament.

In andere talen:

English

  1. Everyone shall have the right to respect for the privacy of his correspondence and telecommunications.
  2. This right may be restricted in the cases laid down by Act of Parliament with the authorisation of the courts or, in the interests of state security, by or with the authorisation of those designated for the purpose by Act of Parliament.

Français

  1. Toute personne a droit au respect du secret de ses correspondances et télécommunications.
  2. La limitation de ce droit est possible dans les cas prévus par la loi avec l’autorisation du juge ou, dans l’intérêt de la sécurité nationale, par ceux qui ont été désignés à cet effet par la loi ou avec leur autorisation.

Deutsch

  1. Jeder hat das Recht auf Wahrung seines Brief- und Telekommunikationsgeheimnisses.
  2. Eine Beschränkung dieses Rechts ist in den durch Gesetz geregelten Fällen mit richterlicher Vollmacht oder, im Interesse der nationalen Sicherheit, durch jene oder mit Vollmacht einer möglich, die dazu durch Gesetz berufen sind.

Español

  1. Todas las personas tienen derecho a que se respete el secreto de su correspondencia y sus telecomunicaciones.
  2. Este derecho podrá ser limitado en los casos previstos por la ley con autorización del juez o, si es en interés de la seguridad nacional, podrá ser limitado por aquellos, o con autorización de aquellos, designados por la ley a estos efectos.

Toelichting

Please note: Only the Dutch-language version of the Constitution has legal effect. 

This article protects the confidentiality of correspondence and telecommunications. Telecommunications means transmitting information over a distance, regardless of the means used. It covers existing mobile and other telephone services, email and internet platforms, as well as future technologies.

Public interests may justify restrictions, such as preventing, investigating and prosecuting offences or protecting national security. The law determines when the confidentiality of correspondence or telecommunications may be breached, allowing letters to be opened or telephone calls and internet traffic to be intercepted.

Criminal investigators and intelligence and security services may then access the content of communications. This requires authorisation from a judge or a person designated by law.