President Al-sisi Imposes New Anti-Terror Laws In Egypt

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday approved an anti-terrorism law that gives more power to courts to enforce penalties against those who are involved in “terrorist acts”. The ratified law imposes heavy fines ranging from a minimum 200,000 pounds (about $25,000) to a maximum of 500,000 pounds for anyone who publishes information contrary to the government’s version or spreads “false” information on security attacks or operations on militants.

The law provides for harsh penalties for acts of terrorism, including the death sentence where they result in loss of life.

It also covers all those using it, typically the navy and monitor, from permissible consequences regarding the proportionate applying of compel “in modifying their own duties”.

One of the most controversial aspects of the new law states the media could be fined for contradicting official accounts of militant attacks.

Amnesty International’s North Africa acting director Said Boumedouha has saidthe new law would become “yet another tool for the authorities to crush all forms of dissent and steamroll over basic human rights”.

Hundreds of members of the Muslim Brotherhood have been sentenced to death in mass trials since Sisi, a former army chief, overthrew president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.

Egypt has been facing the problem of Islamist insurgency since the past two years that aim to topple Sisi’s government. The Brotherhood, Egypt’s oldest opposition movement dating back decades, says it remains committed to peaceful activism.

He said the new law “makes reporters shoulder their responsibility”. Cairo and other cities have also seen subject to increased violent attacks. Any debate is largely through compliant media or behind closed doors. El-Sissi has promised parliamentary elections before the end of this year, and now enjoys a media-driven wave of support.

While the cabinet was approving the proposed legislation, extremists launched a multipronged attack, attempting to seize the northern Sinai town of Sheikh Zweid, hitting the military with suicide attacks and battling soldiers for hours. Over 600 security personnel have been reported killed since then. Sisi has meanwhile overseen a crackdown on Islamists, jailing thousands of alleged Islamist supporters and sentencing scores to death, including Morsi himself.

“The new law fast-tracks trials, which will help achieve swift justice”, he said.

The law also grants the president the right to take “extraordinary measures” to confront terrorism, including evacuating areas or enacting curfews.