Thursday, October 10, 2013

Hailemariam Defends Anti-Terror Law, Condemns Critics (Video)

Oktober 10/2013         
Hailemariam Desalegn
 Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn defended the controversial anti terrorism law.

Answering questions at his office last week, Mr. Hailemariam claimed that enacting such legislation was necessary to keep the nation safe from terrorist attacks.

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists have been vocal critics of the anti-terrorism law. The law’s critics call it an effective tool for silencing dissent saying some of the provisions would violate the right to freedom of expression and association.

One of the controversial provisions of the anti terrorism proclamation states that “whosoever writes, edits, prints, publishes, publicizes, disseminates, shows, makes to be heard any promotional statements encouraging, supporting or advancing terrorist acts stipulated under this Proclamation is punishable with rigorous imprisonment.”

In June 2011, Ethiopian parliament has officially proscribed Ginbot 7, OLF & ONLF as terrorist organizations.


No comments:

Post a Comment