Pakistan Pushes Draconian New Terror Bill
Secret Trials, Unchallengeable Summary Detentions on the Table
Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik today proposed a massive expansion of government power with the “Anti-Terrorism Bill 2010,” a bill which is set to go through parliament in the near future.
The bill dramatically redefines the concept of “terrorism” to encompass such things as setting up unapproved radio stations, damaging public property and resisting police. It empowers the government on a number of further fronts, however.
The bill will also give the government the power to wiretap any and all communication in Pakistan, and seize control of any telecommunications systems in the nation. It would also allow the government to revoke passports of suspects, to summarily detain them without charges for 90 days, and to hold secret trials. Any assets of a detainee would be “assumed unless proven contrary” to be terrorism funds, and seized.
Violations of any of the new types of “terrorism,” even the radio station clause, could be punished with death. The detention of a suspect could not be challenged in any court in Pakistan.
Related Articles
Gaza/Israel: el anuncio del Fiscal de la Corte Penal Internacional de órdenes de arresto por crímenes de guerra y de lesa humanidad
La decisión del Fiscal de la CPI ha sido saludada por grandes organizaciones de derechos humanos, tales como Amnístía Internacional / AI, Human Rights Watch / HRW, o la Federación Internacional de Derechos Humanos /FIDH
Kyrgyzstan: Ensure Safety, Fair Trial for Rights Defender
Kyrgyzstan: Ensure Safety, Fair Trial for Rights Defender The authorities need to show that Askarov’s trial will be scrupulously fair.
US: End in Sight for Infamous Crack Cocaine Laws
Legislation to Address Racial Disparity in Sentencing Heads to President Obama’s Desk (New York) – Legislation approved by the House
