Morocco's chamber of advisers passes anti-terrorism bill
Morocco, Politics, 5/29/2003

The Moroccan Chamber of Advisers approved on Tuesday afternoon the anti-terrorism bill tabled by the government and approved last Friday by the House of Representatives.

The bill was approved by a majority of 89 votes and 7 abstentions.

The bill is meant to make up for a legal loophole in matters of fighting terrorism and give public authorities legal means to crack down on the scourge that threatens the security of persons and communities.

The bill falls into three chapters: a chapter that penalizes acts defined as terrorist crimes, the second outlines procedures related to terrorist crimes and the third addresses financial data processing and sanctions for the circulation of terrorism-destined funds.

The bill defines as a terrorist crime any premeditated individual or collective act seeking to undermine public order by terror and violence. It provides for prison sentences and fines for anyone advocating terrorism acts through preaches, statements, public threats, publications and leaflets, public postings and various audio-visual and electronic means.

It also defines as a terrorist act the introduction or dissemination in the air, the ground or water, including territorial waters, any substance likely to endanger the health of persons or animals or environment. It also sanctions those who, directly or indirectly, transfer, raise or manage funds and property destined to serve, entirely or partially, to the conduct of a terrorist act as well as those who provide counseling or assistance to this end.

In its procedures chapter, the law regulates searches, in their ordinary and exceptional forms, where there is a risk or fear of evidence disappearance. The bill considers terrorism as a serious crime that justifies the monitoring of telecommunication conversations and contacts.

The appeal court of Rabat is, under the bill, the only jurisdiction competent to conduct investigation and hand out judgments in terrorism crimes. For security reasons, the court of appeal of Rabat is authorized to hold extraordinary sessions at the premises of any other court.

The chapter dealing with terrorism financing authorizes the public prosecutor, in cases of judiciary investigation, to have access to data on suspected funds circulation and operation.

The bill also authorizes Morocco's central bank (Bank Al-Maghrib) to collect and process data related to suspected funds and inform public authorities thereof.

The bill contains provisions governing cooperation with foreign countries in matters of fighting terrorism financing and sets sanctions against offenses.

Justice minister, Mohamed Bouzoubaa, explained that in drafting the bill, the government took into account international legality and anti-terrorism conventions ratified by Morocco, particularly the Arab germane convention. He said the aim of the law is to give Morocco tools to guarantee the safety of citizens and of public and private institutions and secure economic stability.

He further told advisors that the tragic events that shook Casablanca on May 16 have prompted the government to ask legislators to approve the bill urgently.

Previous Stories:
  Casablanca attacks meant to undermine Morocco's democratization process, official says   (5/27/2003)
  Morocco's house of representatives passes anti-terrorism bill   (5/23/2003)

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