Egypt defends controversial anti-terrorism law

Egypt hit back Wednesday against foreign criticism of a new anti-terror law that critics claim could restrict human rights and muzzle the press, saying the judiciary’s independence must be respected.

The law passed this week widens the definition of terrorism and stipulates strict punishments, as well as providing for media to be fined for reporting “false” details on militant attacks that contradict government statements.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry insisted that other countries should “respect the independence of the [Egyptian] judiciary.”

“Egypt never commented on laws passed by other countries to counter terrorism, and which were viewed by many citizens of those countries as a restriction on freedoms,”a statement said.

The US State Department said Tuesday it was “concerned” that the law could have a “significant detrimental impact on human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Rights groups have also denounced it.

The law “increases authorities’ power to impose heavy sentences, including the death penalty, for crimes under a definition of terrorism that is so broadly worded it could encompass civil disobedience,” New York-based Human Rights Watch said Wednesday.

Nadim Houry, the watchdog’s deputy Middle East and North Africa director, said the new decree is a big step toward enshrining a permanent state of emergency law, adding that the government has equipped itself with even greater powers to continue stamping out its critics and opponents under a vague and ever-expanding war on terrorism.

The new law comes after a string of deadly attacks on military and police by the Sinai Province, the local affiliate of the group Islamic State, following the overthrow of president Mohammed Morsi in 2013.

The government has waged a bloody crackdown on Morsi’s followers in which at least 1,400 people have been killed and thousands jailed. Morsi himself is appealing his own death sentence.