EGYPT: A proposed 'anti-terrorism' law in Egypt draws criticism from a human rights group, who say it will threaten civil liberties

Record ID: 352003

  • Title: EGYPT: A proposed 'anti-terrorism' law in Egypt draws criticism from a human rights group, who say it will threaten civil liberties
  • Date: 22nd April 2014
  • Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (APRIL 14, 2014) (REUTERS) RETIRED GENERAL, SAMEH SEIF AL-YAZAL, SEATED FOR INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RETIRED GENERAL, SAMEH SEIF AL-YAZAL, SAYING: "If you will assault the state, the civilians and bear arms and detonate explosions you will have to deal with the consequences. However, if you were a peaceful person, like me and you, you have nothing to
  • Embargoed: 7th May 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA980804SJ65068G4LFIXVSYNZ8
  • Story Text: a Human rights groups have criticized a proposed new 'anti-terrorism' law soon to be signed by the Interim President as deeply flawed and a threat to civil liberties. We speak to a human rights activist, a pro-government security analyst and a politician from a leftist party about the law, and whether it is necessary in order for the government to face down the threat posed by militants. Edit to include file of aftermath of bombing and shooting attacks, as well as recent civil unrest.
    A heightened level of insurgency influenced a draft anti-terrorism law that is not drawing heavy criticism Story: Facing a recent heightened level of insurgency two anti-terrorism laws are being drafted by the Egyptian Cabinet raising worries of misuse among political activists and international human rights groups.
    The laws, amending the criminal procedural code and the penal code, stipulate that if a person is seen as belonging to a terrorist organization, the person could face the death penalty.
    Tens of security forces were killed after major bomb attacks targeted the Cairo security directorate on 24 January and the Daqahelya security directorate on 24 December while Cairo University also witnessed three explosions last month.
    The Bombing waves that have been hitting Egypt over the past few months underscores the struggle of authorities to tame militant violence which has increasingly challenged the state since the army toppled Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in July pushing for a law to pass in order to deter those embarking in those operations.
    Retired general and strategic analyst, Sameh Seif Elyazal, differentiates between having different political views and resorting to violence. He views the law as a necessity due to the violence Egypt is facing saying that the law would fortify the current Egyptian penal articles.
    "If you will assault the state, the civilians and bear arms and detonate explosions you will have to deal with the consequences. However, if you were a peaceful person, like me and you, you have nothing to fear. He who fears this law, is the person who is violent, who carries arms, threatens people, kills the innocent; this is who fears the law today."
    The Muslim Brotherhood was labeled a terrorist organisation in December and most of its senior leaders are in prison awaiting trial on charges relating to violence and terrorism. If passed, the anti-terrorism laws will be applied to them.
    According to the Egyptian state-run MENA, the draft laws were sent to Interim President Adly Mansour on 3 April by the Cabinet however they were referred to the Ministry of Justice to hold a "societal dialogue". The law has since been criticized by 16 NGO's including Amnesty International that said that the "draft legislation also violates the right to free expression, undermines safeguards against torture and arbitrary detention, and expands the scope of application of the death penalty"
    The Arab Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) was one of the signatories. Vice Executive Manager for the group, Rawda Ahmed, believes that the law will be abused to oppress opposition rather than fight terrorism.
    "It will be used just like it the protest law was used. Unfortunately it will be applied on the innocent rather than the guilty. This will create two things; the innocent will be thrown in jail and the guilty will remain on the street perpetrating their crimes," Ahmed said.
    Egypt's government already has wide-ranging security powers and has detained thousands of supporters of former President Mohamed Mursi including hundreds of university students that have been protesting since the beginning of the school year.
    According to Ahmed, the Egyptian regime has been attempting at oppressing protests since the 25 January 2011 that saw the fall of autocrat President Hosni Mubarak, as a form of revenge. She also believes that these laws are vague to the extent where any group could be designated into a terrorist organization.
    "This past period of time these laws were placed as a form of revenge from the revolutionaries or the activists that are serious about their work. If we are talking about laws that will stop violence and thuggery from occurring, the Egyptian law is sufficient enough in the second chapter [egyptian penal code], there are a number of articles that protect the state internally and externally from these crimes; therefore I do not need other laws."
    The draft laws will amend the Egyptian criminal and penal code creating harsher punishments that could lead to death if accused of belonging to a terrorist organization, with Egypt has been witnessing protests against several regime over the past three years including President of the Egyptian Social Democratic party (ESDP), Mohamed Abul-Ghar, believes that law will not pass due to the brief period of time President Mansour has before another president assumes power and a parliament is voted on; by then the law will be referred to parliament.
    "The draft copy of the law that is currently present is vague and could result in huge problems. I believe that the fact that the president returned the draft law means clearly that the law will not be approved. The current phase, before the presidential elections, is a short period. I do not believe that during this [short] phase the law will be issued and [I believe] it will be left to the parliament. This is better."
    For now, the laws are on hold until the societal dialogue is held but with the extensive criticism drawn from political parties, NGO's and opposition groups the future of the law remains oblivious.
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