“ACTIVISM IS NOT TERRORISM”: Twitter Top Trend #JunkTerrorBill Sounds Familiar?
by Lucky“ACTIVISM IS NOT TERRORISM”: Philippines Anti – Terrosism Bill
On Friday May 29, netizens on Twitter, through #JunkTerrorBill were up in arms with Philipipines’ approved version of the new anti terrorism bill, condemning its dangerous provisions and impact on the Filipinos and people globally.
The hashtag topped Twitter’s Worldwide trends alongside keywords: “ACTIVISM IS NOT TERRORISM” as people lashed at the bill that it doesnt aim to protect its nation or its citizens but politicians who think criticism and activism equates to terrorism.
This is a government’s way to silence critics, netizens slammed the bill as an attack on freedom of speech.
But Why The Fuss?
On this Friday, the Phillipine senate finally approved an Anti Terrorism bill it proposed last year. The bill was designed to “prevent and stop terrorist attacks” by easing restrictions on law enforcenment on its fight against terrorism that has taken South East Asia by storm over the past years.
It has not been met without controversy.
If passed to an act, the bill gives altimate power to the state and the law enforcement to define what constitute terrorism, who are to be considered terrorists and what to do with such people.
Notable of the acts that may result in one labeled a terrorist are as follows;
It goes further to allow law enforcement to carry out warrantless arrests, legalizes wiretapping, arrests of minors if they are also suspected to be affiliated to any terrorist groups.
Basically the anti terrorism bill allows procecution of anyone who openly criticizes the government.
Its implications are such that organizers and participants of demontsrations or activism events may fall unto the definition of terrorism and such can be detained or imprisoned without chance of appeal with unbailable life sentences.
Anyone (the government may choose to target), by virtue of an order, and in a smooth and legal way, can easily be labbeled a terrorist and face such consequences.
Its implications on the Zimbabwean political situation are one not to be taken for granted.
Absolute monopoly of power in the Zimbabwean political system has such dangerous chances a bill of such nature can easily be passed.
And barely after the recent terrorist attacks on Zimbabwean borders, let us know what your throughts are on such a bill being enacted?
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