Human rights fears mount as Egypt adopts tough new anti-terrorism laws

Stringent new counter-terrorism laws to fight a growing Islamist insurgency have been introduced by Egyptian president Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. The laws impose the death penalty for anyone found guilty of setting up or leading a terrorist group. They also establish special courts and offer additional protection from legal ramifications for military and police officers who have used force. Mr Sisi has also set a minimum fine of 200,000 pounds ($25,000) and a maximum of 500,000 pounds ($62,000) for publications which stray from the official government line in reports on attacks or security operations against armed fighters. However, human rights groups say the legislation will be used by Mr Sisi to crush dissent and to force newspapers which do not toe the line out of business.

The law here is a system that is not protecting the citizenry, but rather protecting the state … it is becoming indicative of the consolidation of power in the hands of the executive

Prof Dalia Fahmy, member of the Egyptian Rule of Law Association

Mr Sisi had promised a tougher legal system in July, after a car bomb attack that killed the top public prosecutor, the highest level state official to be killed in years. While forming or leading a group deemed a “terrorist entity” by the government will be punishable by death or life in prison, membership in such a group will carry up to 10 years in jail. Financing “terrorist groups” will also carry a penalty of life in prison, which in Egypt is 25 years. Inciting violence, which includes “promoting ideas that call for violence” will lead to between five and seven years in jail, as will creating or using websites that spread such ideas.

Middle East egypt