Sabri announces gazetting of revised Anti-Terrorism Act; emphasises commitment to human rights

Foreign Affairs Minister  Ali Sabri PC

Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabri PC yesterday announced that the forthcoming Anti-Terrorism Act will soon be gazetted. 

“This significant legislative development has been amended in alignment with established international standards to ensure that it does not compromise the national security of the nation,” he said.

Furthermore, Sabri underscored that the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act has undergone substantial amendments with the primary objective of disseminating a balanced legal framework. This framework has been designed to safeguard and uphold the fundamental human rights of our country’s citizens.

Minister Sabri made these statements during his participation in a press conference convened at the Presidential Media Centre under the theme of ‘A Collective Path towards a Stable Nation.’

Minister Ali Sabri further commented:

In accordance with globally acknowledged standards, comprehensive measures have been undertaken to revise the current Prevention of Terrorism Act, aiming to establish a harmonious legal framework that safeguards both the national security of the country and the fundamental human rights of its citizens. The objective of these revisions is to formulate a law that strikes a judicious balance.

In this context, under the guidance and leadership of the Minister of Justice, extensive deliberations and consultations have been conducted with relevant authorities. These collaborative endeavours have resulted in substantial improvements to the proposed new legislation, elevating it to a commendable standard.

It is important to note that our country possesses a well-established system for enacting and promulgating new laws and statutes. Following the publication of the new Act in the Gazette, it will be made accessible to the entire populace, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of its provisions and implications by the citizens of the nation.

In accordance with the anticipated timeline, we are optimistic that the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act will be gazetted within this week or next week. Subsequently, the Act will be introduced to the Parliament for its initial reading. Within this framework, the citizens of our nation will retain the right to scrutinise the Act and raise any concerns they may have. They will have the opportunity to challenge its provisions and, if deemed necessary, seek legal redress by approaching the Supreme Court within a period of one week from its publication. This commitment to transparency and due process underscores our Government’s dedication to upholding the principles of democracy and the rule of law.

Under Article 127 of our legal framework, the Supreme Court possesses distinct and exclusive deliberative jurisdiction. In line with the guidance and directives issued by the Supreme Court, the Government stands prepared to make any necessary further amendments to the new Act, demonstrating our commitment to upholding the highest legal standards and ensuring that it aligns with the court’s recommendations. It is worth highlighting that this amended Act incorporates a multitude of progressive provisions that represent a substantial enhancement compared to the existing legislation. 

The initial introduction of the Prevention of Terrorism Act back in 1979 was intended to be a temporary measure with a limited duration of six months. However, due to the prolonged and escalating security challenges faced by our country, the Act has remained in effect up to the present time. Over the years, the continuous enforcement of this legislation has attracted a significant amount of criticism and scrutiny within our nation. These criticisms have revolved around various concerns, including questions about the Act’s impact on civil liberties, its effectiveness in addressing the underlying security issues and its compatibility with evolving legal and human rights standards. The on-going debate surrounding the Act reflects the complexities and challenges associated with balancing the imperative of national security with the protection of individual rights and freedoms.

Following the drafting of the new Anti-Terrorism Act, a wide array of authorities, including lawyers, the Bar Association, the international community, civil organisations, non-Governmental organisations and trade unions, shared their diverse perspectives and opinions on the proposed legislation.

Demonstrating a commitment to democratic principles and a willingness to engage in a consultative process, the Government opted not to immediately submit the initial bill to Parliament. Instead, it chose to actively seek and consider feedback from various authorities. This inclusive approach allowed for a comprehensive review of the legislation. Subsequently, with the incorporation of new ideas and revisions made to address concerns and feedback, the revised bill garnered the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers.