The President Abdulla Yaameen has signed and ratified the Anti-Terrorism bill. The legislation states that it will be law and should be acted upon immediately after the president signs and ratifies it.
The bill was passed with a majority of 49 votes, although MPs’ from the opposition MDP and some from Jumhoory Party highlighted some issues in it. 22 votes were received against the bill, while 3 MPs’ abstained from the vote.
MPs’ from the opposition MDP had earlier submitted 11 revisions to the bill - none of which was adopted to the legislation.
Although the bill was earlier returned for revision after much debate on the parliament floor, only one clause had been amended before it was passed; the clause that gave 3 months time after ratification before being acted upon - which was changed to “be acted upon immediately after president’s signature”.
Opposition MPs’ debated that this new bill narrows the fundamental rights and limits the power of the penal code, and they also speculated that this legislation is specially aimed at prosecuting targeted individuals.
According to this new bill, several actions can be deemed as Terrorism, including; Causing harm with intent to the body, life, or any senses, Forceful abduction, Causing harm to property, Causing harm to the life of a non-offender, Hijacking vehicles and vessels, Causing health and safety risks to the public, Causing harm to utilities and services which could disrupt any public service.
Additionally, coercing the state or government, creating fear or terror to a group of people or the general public, promoting unlawful political, religious or a specific belief can also be coined as terrorism.
The penalty for terrorism mentioned in the bill is a prison sentence of 20 to 25 years. And being an accessory any such actions could warrant a sentence of 17 to 20 years in jail.
President signs Anti-Terror Bill
