The Salafi-led Nour Party has demanded the controversial anti-terrorism bill approved by the government to be suspended until it has been subjected to social debate.
“Haste in adopting the law could render it flawed and unconstitutional”, the party’s assistant chief for legal affairs, Talaat Marzouq, said in a statement on Tuesday.
“While the Nour Party is aware of the challenges facing the country and the dangers it is sustaining, especially terrorist operations targeting the state and its stability, it advises caution with regard to issuing the anti-terrorism bill in order to give the opportunity for further deliberations and debates”.
The government introduced the bill, which is pending the final approval by the presidency, amid escalating violence between Egypt’s military and militants in North Sinai, who had killed dozens of troops last week, shortly after the assassination of late general prosecutor Hisham Barakat last month.
The bill has been heavily criticized by human rights defenders as well as journalists.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
