Colombia’s draft antiterrorist statute “creates foundations of dictatorial and inquisitorial regime:” opposition

Colombia's proposed antiterrorist law, leaked to the public, is criticized by opposition leader Ivan Cepeda as a blueprint for a dictatorial and inquisitorial system. According to Cepeda, the bill's primary aim is to target political dissent, social movements, and protests, which he argues are legitimate expressions of citizenship.

The legislation's broad definition of terrorism could lead to the prosecution of protest organizers, even in the absence of clashes with law enforcement, effectively criminalizing valid forms of dissent.

Cepeda contends that the legislation would create a national registry of terrorist organizations and actors, allowing the government to label citizens as such based on administrative grounds, rather than legal ones. This move would grant the president unprecedented powers to regulate a judicial process, specifically expedited preventive detention proceedings, effectively enabling the arrest and detention of individuals without prior warning, subjecting them to potential abuse and torture.

The proposed law also includes a provision that criminalizes the promotion, financing, organizing, or leadership of crowds, effectively criminalizing political protest and the freedom of speech.

Opposition party Senator of the Historic Pact, speaking in a video, emphasized that the Historic Pact party rejects the antiterrorism statute and will take all necessary measures to safeguard the rights and guarantees of the opposition. The statement is published as the proposed legislation prepares to face opposition within Colombia's Congress.