Kenya's parliament [5] on Dec. 18 passed a sweeping new anti-terrorism law after some of its members engaged [6] in a shoving match that led to blows being exchanged. Those opposed to the law, citing violations of free speech and other civil liberties, shouted, threw water, and even threw books at the Speaker in protest of the bill. The law allows security services to detain suspected criminals without charging them for up to 360 days, allows media members to be persecuted for publishing material that is likely to cause fear or alarm, and enables a domestic spy force to carry out secret operations. President Uhuru Kenyatta [7] has backed the bill due to increased pressure to improve security in the country after a 2013 terrorist attack [8] by Somali al-Shabaab rebels that killed 67 people.
From Jurist [9], Dec. 20. Used with permission.
