Anti-terror law to get more teeth
Manama : The House of Representatives yesterday passed a proposal that instructs to toughen the penalties on acts of sheltering individuals involved in terror crimes as part of the efforts to combat terrorism in the Kingdom.
The MPs voted for a report by Foreign Affairs, Defence and National Security Committee supporting a proposal to amend Law 58 of 2006 with regards to protecting the society from terror crimes.
The amendment was proposed by the House of Representatives’ Speaker Ahmed bin Ibrahim Al Mulla and MPs Khalid Al Shaer, Adel Al Asoomy, Jamal Dawood and Mohammed Milad.
It stipulates that those who shelter terrorists are to be treated as terrorists in terms of legal accountability and penalties.
“The amendment is important as terror crimes have been on the rise in countries across the world, and this includes the Kingdom of Bahrain. The most recent terrorist acts reported here were the deadly explosion in a police bus on October 27 and sabotaging the oil pipelines recently. This requires blockading terrorism following all the available legal means,” said Committee Chairman Abdulla Binhowail, justifying the proposal presented before the House.
“Cover for terrorists motivates them to be persistent in committing terror crimes, as they’re provided with a safe shelter by the individuals targeted in this law,” said Binhowail.
“Cover for terrorism is a direct threat to the safety and security of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and its citizens and residents. This law comes as a supportive legislation to the efforts paid by the Kingdom in the field of combatting terrorism and its supporters,” Binhowail added.
One of the presenters of the proposal, MP Jamal Dawood, said, “Toughening penalties against individuals providing cover for terrorism and terrorists is an essential need nowadays, considering the increasing terrorist acts targeting Bahrain.”
Dawood also mentioned that “huge amounts of money is invested to tempt some individuals to help provide cover for terrorism and terrorists”.
“A person who shelters a terrorist is a terrorist,” the legislator added.
On his part, Dr. Ali Bufarsen said, “26 cops were killed by terrorists and more than 3, 000 of them sustained medium and serious injuries in recent years. Terrorism didn’t spare civilians either, as many of them were martyred or injured as a result of terrorist acts. Iran shelters at least 230 wanted terrorists. All those who support, fund and provide cover for criminals wanted in terror crimes should be subjected to the toughest punishments.”
MP Khalid Al Shaer was also one of the supporters of the proposal and told fellow MPs, “Bahrain seriously suffers from terrorism. Each terrorist seeks executing the perfect crime, and the last chapter of this crime is to find a shelter and a hideout. This is an organised process as there are certain individuals tasked to shelter terrorists after they are done with their heinous crimes. This includes providing food, shelter and clothes. They could be hidden for more than three to four months, until they find a way to escape the country or situations simmer down. Sheltering terrorists is the continuation of the terror crime and tougher penalties are needed.”
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