In Cairo Egypt, the parliament sector endorsed an anti-terrorism law. This particular regulation was made to set up special courts and shield its enforcers from legal disputes.
During the mid-2012, the democratically elected chamber of Egypt was dissolved and the country went out without a governed parliament. This particular law is only one of more than 400 executive decrees issued during those times. This shields the military and police from legal penalties from using proportionate force. It also details sentences from various terrorism-related crimes ranging from five years up to death penalty. It also includes fines against journalists that contradicts to the authorities' military attack as reported by the Reuters.
With over 457 votes as against to 24, the anti-terrorism law was passed without a single amendment from the original decree as issued by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The new parliament of Egypt has 568 elected members plus another 28 appointed by the president himself. This is also supported by the 'Support Egypt' coalition a group with over 400 MPs, a known die hard supporter of Sisi.
The parliament also passed a decree in 2012, protecting critical government facilities. It increases the power of the military court to try civilians involved in attacking buildings and blocking roads according to Channel News Asia.
Mohamed Salah Khalifa, Opposition legislator and a known leader of the Islamist Nour Party carries only 12 seats. He controlled over a quarter of the members during the previous parliament. He fears that the law will be used broadly and will be applied ambiguously.
Alaraby also reported that Khalifa explained that this law was passed during exceptional circumstances when the country was exposed to imminent danger. Now that the danger has subsided, the balance should be placed between protecting the state and institution as well as preserving the rights of the people.
As Arab world's most dense country, Egypt has been plagued with an increase violent insurgency in North Sinai. This is where the most active militant group pledged its alliance with the Islamic State. Other cities like Cairo suffered the same dilemma also.
