As fighting continues in Sinai, a new anti-terror law has been approved. Touted by the government as a deterrent, some say it infringes human rights.
Egypt launched airstrikes on Islamist militant targets in the Sinai peninsula killing 23 fighters, the offensive comes a day after deadly clashes in the region.
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On Wednesday, the cabinet approved a new anti-terrorism law which it claims will act as a deterrent but political expert Bashir Abdl Alfatah told euronews:
“The criticism of this law is that it might adversely affect freedom of expression and human rights in Egypt, but those who are justifying the anti-terrorism law say that when it comes to fighting terrorism, certain conditions, transition periods and chaos, we shall ignore democracy, human rights and freedom.”
The president, who must approve the bill, had promised a tougher legal system following a car bombing which killed the prosecutor general on Tuesday. Euronews correspondent in Egypt Mohammed Shaikhibrahim concludes:
“An anti-terrorism law is not enough on its own to eliminate terrorist groups and prevent its expansion as many people here say, it could also be a political move to contain the opposition groups and re-integrate them into the political process, so they don’t turn to the use of violence.”