AYV News, January 31, 2025
Members of Parliament of the All People’s Congress (APC) Party in Sierra Leone’s Parliament have raised serious concerns over what they referred to as an exemptions in 2024 Anti-Terrorism Bill, under review in Parliament.
Minority Leader in Parliament, Honourable Abdul Kargbo said the Bill criminalises certain fundamental rights, including advocacy, protest, dissent and individual action, by classifying them as acts of terrorism.
He argued that when the Bill was first examined, certain protections were included, ensuring that acts such as protests, demonstrations, and freedom of speech would not be considered terrorism.
The leader said in the current draft, these exemptions have been removed, raising fears that the law could be used to suppress political opposition and activism.
Honourable Abdul Kargbo said: “The Bill, in its present form, criminalises legitimate democratic actions such as advocacy and dissenting voices. Such omissions undermine fundamental freedoms”.
He said based on international humanitarian law, certain actions including struggles for liberty and self-determination,opposition to colonialism, occupation, and foreign aggression,political, ideological, racial, or ethnic resistance and acts committed in armed conflicts by government forces or resistance groups, should not be classified as terrorism.
He said removing these exemptions means that citizens engaging in protests or activism could be labeled as terrorists, a development they find deeply troubling.
The MP explained further that the Anti-Terrorism Bill is derived from an African Model Law developed to help African nations combat terrorism in a unified manner, while also criticising the overly broad definition of terrorism in the Bill, warning that it leaves room for abuse.
