mobanmarketEgyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Sunday officially signed into law sweeping new “anti-terrorism” legislation that dramatically expands his powers to impose the death penalty, crack down on dissent, and stamp out journalism that the government deems to be “false.”
The law was passed over widespread opposition, including protests from the Egyptian Press Syndicate, whose members say the legislation poses a threat to what’s left of free media in the country. Al Sisi, who already rules by decree amid a suspended parliament, fast-tracked the rule following the late-June killing of state prosecutor Hisham Barakat in a car bombing and a subsequent wave of violence in the North Sinai Peninsula.
The legislation allows authorities to impose the death penalty for anyone the government deems to be leading a “terrorist” group and increases the power of officials to arrest and interrogate suspects. It also buffers Egyptian authorities, including soldiers and police officers, from legal consequences for use of force.
One article gives the president the authority, pending approval from the non-active parliament, to impose curfews and isolation on areas of the country for up to six months.
The law also bans journalists from providing information about militant attacks that diverges from the government account, under penalty of steep fines. In addition, while not explicitly mentioning journalism, the rule allows the courts to “prevent the convicted from practicing the profession for a period of no more than one year, if the crime violates the principles of the profession.”