MANAMA, Bahrain, July 31 (UPI) -- Bahrain is under the gun of human rights activists to change a new anti-terrorism bill before it is ratified and put in effect.
Amnesty International, following the United Nations and local groups, says the "Protecting Society from Terrorist Acts" bill passed by parliament threatens human rights and undermines "the principal of legality," according to a report in the Gulf Daily News.
"As a member of the new (U.N) Human Rights Council, it is particularly important that the Kingdom of Bahrain uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights and reflect these standards in its national legislation," Amnesty said in a statement reported Sunday.
"Amnesty International therefore urges the Bahraini authorities to conduct a full review of the counter-terrorism bill and bring it into line with international human rights law standards."
Critics of the bill say lack of specific definition on what constitutes terrorist acts and what constitutes a terrorist organization leaves the door open for abuse. What is more, they say, the way the law is written, normal political dissent could be construed as terrorism.
There are also objections over provisions for pre-trial detention and possible imposition of the death penalty.
Martin Scheinin, the U.N.'s special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, last week called on Bahrain's parliament to hold a special session to rewrite the bill and add amendments before it becomes law.
