Media News - Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Alarm over bill that would extend death penalty to online crimes
Reporters Without Borders is alarmed by a draft law that would extend
the death penalty to crimes committed online. Passed by parliament on
first reading on 2 July, the proposed law would, for example, apply the
death penalty to bloggers and website editors who 'promote corruption,
prostitution or apostasy.' Submitted by a score of pro-government
parliamentarians and consisting of 13 articles with the declared aim of
'reinforcing the penalties for crimes against society's moral security,'
the bill was passed on first reading by 180 votes in favour, 29 against
and 10 abstentions. Article 2 of the bill lists the crimes that are
already subject to the death penalty, including armed robbery, rape and
creating prostitution networks. If the law is adopted, 'the creation of
blogs and websites promoting corruption, prostitution and apostasy' will
also become capital crimes. According to article 3, judges will be able
to decide whether the person found guilty of these crimes is 'mohareb'
(enemy of God) or 'corrupter on earth.' Article 190 of the criminal code
stipulates that these crimes are punishable by 'hanging' or by
'amputation of the right hand and left foot.' (Reporters Without Borders)
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