The Egyptian Parliament has approved a controversial new anti-terrorism law by 457 to 24 votes, with no amendments. The law imposes strict penalties on journalists, sets up special courts, and protects Egyptian security forces.
Risk & Security SolutionsThe law had previously been issued under an executive decree by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in 2015. The Parliament is constitutionally obliged to either approve or reject such decrees within 15 days of its first session, which took place on 10 January.
The law will impose heavy fines on journalists contradicting official stories of militant attacks. Fines will be between EGP200,000 (US$25,500) and EGP500,000 (US$64,000). Average weekly wages in Egypt were only EGP806 (US$103) in 2014. The Cabinet agreed in July 2015 to remove a contentious Article which would have imposed two year prison sentences on those convicted of such acts.
The law authorises security personnel to use force during public disorder, and protects them from being prosecuted.
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The law imposes the death penalty on anybody convicted of establishing or leading a terrorist organisation. Those joining such an organisation face up to 10 years imprisonment, or 25 years for those guilty of financing such organisations.
Sentences of five to seven years will be imposed on those inciting violence or creating websites to spread terrorist messages online.
An opposition leader of the Islamist Nour Party Mohamed Salah Khalifa has criticised the law for its ambiguity and potential to be used broadly. However, the Nour Party’s influence on the parliamentary process has been drastically reduced from occupying a quarter of the seats in the previous parliamentary session, to having only 12 seats today.
A related decree was also approved by Parliament. Under the decree, special military courts will be used to try those accused of attacking buildings or blocking roads. Such acts are a regular part of political protests in the country.
As the new Parliament continues the agenda of President Sisi, Egypt is likely to continue to see regular crackdowns by security forces on opposition elements, including Islamist insurgents and political opponents.
The laws will protect government forces engaged with militants in the restive Sinai region, where hundreds of Egyptian security forces have been killed. The group Wilayat Sinai (Sinai Province), formerly known as Ansar Bait al-Maqdis, has pledge allegiance to the Islamic State, and has claimed responsibility for a number of recent attacks.
The law and decree will also facilitate the crackdown on the previous ruling party the Muslim Brotherhood, proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the current administration.
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