AFRICA/KENYA - Clashes among MPs on anti-terrorism law could put fundamental freedoms at risk

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - Clashes among MPs of the majority and the opposition in Parliament in Nairobi occurred during the vote on the controversial anti-terrorism law that would weaken, according to several members human rights organizations, the respect for fundamental freedoms (see Fides 12/12/2014). The seat of Parliament is manned by the police in anticipation of protests by opposition parties.
The amendment of the anti-terrorism law, says the government, was necessary in order to address the threat of Somali militants of Al Shabaab who have recently committed massacres of innocent civilians in northern Kenya (see Fides 24 November and 2 December 2014).
To reinforce the fears of the opposition and civil society on the fact that the new anti-terrorist measures conceal the government's desire to impose a restriction of civil freedoms, is the authorities' decision to dissolve 510 NGOs, some of them accused of financing Al Shabaab.
In a joint statement, the Ambassadors in Nairobi of the United States, Great Britain, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, France, Sweden, Canada, say that it is important that the new legislation "while strengthening security, respects the rights of man and international commitments" undertaken by Kenya. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 18/12/2014)


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