FNC debates counter-terror draft law behind closed doors

Abu Dhabi: Called back from its summer recess for an extraordinary session, the Federal National Council will discuss behind closed doors tomorrow (Monday) a draft law stepping up the fight against terrorism.

Convicted terrorists will face capital punishment, life imprisonment and fines of up to Dh100 million, according to a new legislation.

The 70-article bill establishes “terrorist” capital offences which result in the death of a victim including attacks on a head of state or his family or a representative or officer of a state; coerced recruitment of individuals into a “terrorist” organisation; hijacking; hostage-taking; infringement of diplomatic or consular premises in committing a “terrorist” act; use of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and assaulting security forces.

For equal criminal acts, offenders with terrorist intent will receive much greater penalty than those without.

A person need only threaten, incite or plan any terrorist act to be prosecuted as a terrorist and punished with the same penalty for perpetrators of these acts, states the bill, fast-tracked by the government.

Sources said the UAE, a signatory to 13 international treaties on terrorism, is revising its counter-terrorism law, issued in 2004, to better combat evolving threats.

Signing up to a terrorist organisation will be punished with the death penalty, while an attempt to join any such organisation will cost the offender a life imprisonment, states the draft law, of which a copy has been obtained by Gulf News.

Capital punishment or life imprisonment is the penalty for a person who commissions or runs a training centre for terrorist operations.

“Whoever seeks or communicates with a foreign state, terrorist organisation or with anyone who works for their interests, to commit any terrorist act shall be punished with imprisonment for life while the death penalty will be imposed if the terrorist act has been carried out,” the bill suggests.

The draft law states that an attempt on the life of the president of the State, the vice-president, members of the Supreme Council, crown princes, deputy rulers or members of their families will be punishable with the death sentence.

The same penalty will be inflicted on those convicted of committing an attempt on the life of persons covered by international protection.

The penalty for compelling the President of the State, the Vice-President, the prime minister, a minister, speaker and members of the FNC to take or refrain from an action will be life imprisonment.

Taking or refraining from carrying out an action that threatens the security of the country, its integrity or sovereignty will be a crime punishable by the death penalty or life imprisonment. The same penalty will be inflicted on those convicted of committing or refraining from taking any such action with the intent to overthrow the government, suspend any article of the constitution, stop any public institution from discharging its responsibilities or harm national unity or social peace.

The draft law will also authorise the Cabinet to set up lists of designated terrorist organisations and persons.

The Cabinet will also establish counselling centres where convicted terrorists will receive intensive religious and welfare counselling in jails in a programme targeted against future threats posed by those holding extremist views, according to the draft law.

Every legal person whose representatives, managers or agents commit or contribute in the commission of any of the terrorist offences provided in the draft law, would receive a fine ranging between Dh1 million and Dh100 million.

Establishment of a committee to be named “The National Committee for Combating Terrorism” has been suggested, and a decision in this regard will be made by the Cabinet.

The bill makes it a crime punishable with up to 10 years’ jail for any person who does not provide authorities with information relating to any terrorist activity.