Terror Law Worries Onega
Dec 09, 2002
The Anti-Terrorism Act 2001 has come under fire from Amnesty Commission chief Justice Peter Onega, saying the law clashes with the Amnesty Act 2000 and obstructs the amnesty process.<br>
By Alfred Wasike
The Anti-Terrorism Act 2001 has come under fire from Amnesty Commission chief Justice Peter Onega, saying the law clashes with the Amnesty Act 2000 and obstructs the amnesty process.
“Imagine this kind of situation, I, Justice Onega gets information that some rebel in Kampala wants to surrender. I then proceed to the destination to meet the said rebel, security officials can pounce on me and actually have me charged with dealing with terrorists!†Onega said.
He represented internal affairs minister Eriya Kategaya at a one-day conference organised by Always Be Tolerant Organisation, a local NGO, to debate the war in northern Uganda, in Kampala, on Thursday.
Egyptian ambassador Maasoum Marzouk had asked Onega whether the two laws do not clash.
“Sections of the anti-Terrorism Act collide with the Amnesty Act. The two acts should be carefully studied and where they need reconciliation, it should be done immediately,†Onega said.
The anti-terrorism law was enacted soon after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in USA. It punishes anyone for directly or indirectly dealing with terrorists.
Head of the European Union Sigurd Illing, ambassadors Klaus Holderbaum of Germany, Mahmood Farazandeh of Iran and South African deputy high commissioner Muhammad Cassimjee attended the conference. Ends
The Anti-Terrorism Act 2001 has come under fire from Amnesty Commission chief Justice Peter Onega, saying the law clashes with the Amnesty Act 2000 and obstructs the amnesty process.
“Imagine this kind of situation, I, Justice Onega gets information that some rebel in Kampala wants to surrender. I then proceed to the destination to meet the said rebel, security officials can pounce on me and actually have me charged with dealing with terrorists!†Onega said.
He represented internal affairs minister Eriya Kategaya at a one-day conference organised by Always Be Tolerant Organisation, a local NGO, to debate the war in northern Uganda, in Kampala, on Thursday.
Egyptian ambassador Maasoum Marzouk had asked Onega whether the two laws do not clash.
“Sections of the anti-Terrorism Act collide with the Amnesty Act. The two acts should be carefully studied and where they need reconciliation, it should be done immediately,†Onega said.
The anti-terrorism law was enacted soon after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in USA. It punishes anyone for directly or indirectly dealing with terrorists.
Head of the European Union Sigurd Illing, ambassadors Klaus Holderbaum of Germany, Mahmood Farazandeh of Iran and South African deputy high commissioner Muhammad Cassimjee attended the conference. Ends