Parliament passes amendments to ‘terror lists’ bill

CAIRO - 24 February 2020: The House of Representatives approved by a sweeping majority the amendments to the “Terror Lists” bill in the plenary session held on Monday.

In simple words, the amendments define terrorist entities as those that practice or call for harm to individuals, vandalism of public and private property, and jeopardy of public order and freedoms.

The amendments were put forward by the government to law no.8/2015 on regulating the lists of terrorist entities, and terrorists.

The Parliament primarily approved on February 11 the “Terror Lists” draft amendments which had been passed by the Defense and National Security Committee then by the Committee of Constitutional and Legislative Affairs.

The draft had been submitted to the State Council for consultation before the final vote took place. The bill has put a legal framework to designate terrorist entities and individuals, and take the necessary measures accordingly. The law matches UNSC Resolution no. 1269 on combatting the financing of terrorism and UNSC Resolution no. 1373 on counterterrorism.

Speaker Ali Abdel Aal said that the amendment to the bill is taking place in time where Egypt is combating terrorism and that the law has a temporary preventive nature as they apply to individuals and entities before a court sentence is issued. He clarified that such measures have been imposed by the danger of the terrorism phenomenon and that the law matches international standards in principle.

The amendments provide, “The terrorist entity is any association, organization, group, society, cell, company, union or other, regardless of its legal or real status, that practices or has as purpose calling - by any means internally or abroad - for :

Harming individuals, spreading terror among them, exposing their lives, freedoms, rights, security to danger.

Harming the environment, natural resources, artifacts, communication utilities, as well as urban, maritime transportation, and air transport, other assets, buildings, public and private properties. This is in addition to occupying and taking over them.

Inhibiting or crippling the work of public, judicial, and governmental authorities, as well as municipal entities, worship places, hospitals, educational institutions, other public facilities, diplomatic missions, regional and international organizations and authorities in Egypt.

Cutting the road of public and private vehicles or exposing them to danger.

Jeopardizing public order.

Exposing the society’s security, interests, or safety to danger. Suspending the provisions of the constitution and laws.

Violating individual freedoms.

Harming national unity, social peace and national security.

The law applies to entities and individuals who commit the aforementioned acts against both Egypt and other countries.

The House of Representatives discarded from the amendments presented by the government that “TV channels” can be classified as terror entities if they call for the violations stated in the draft.

The parliament has also modified certain provisions in the draft. A case in point is temporarily suspending public workers charged with terrorism and paying half their salary until a final ruling is issued. The draft submitted by the government provided that public employees shall be terminated once charged with terrorism. The parliament’s reason for rejecting such provision is that the law is about preventive measures taken before and during prosecution so that terrorism charges shall not incur permanent consequences.

Out of the same principle, the parliament declined the permanent cancellation of a suspect/defendant’s membership in professional syndicates, boards of public companies, associations, institutions, entities where the state or citizens hold shares, sport clubs, sport unions, or any public-interest entity.

The house has also approved Abdel Aal’s suggestion to annul the exclusion of terror suspects/defendants from subsidies programs, and to add that those charged must be banned from receiving or transacting money.

The other provisions state freezing the money and assets of individuals charged with terrorism, their shares in properties and enterprises, and revenues.