Grave concerns over security Bills

President João Lourenço has signed two laws that fall short of international human rights standards that will severely restrict freedoms of the media, expression and association, according to Human Rights Watch. A report on the allAfrica site notes that the National Assembly passed the Bill on Crimes of Vandalism of Public Goods and Services which imposes prison sentences of up to 25 years for those involved in protests leading to vandalism or service disruptions. It also adopted the National Security Bill, granting the government extensive control over the media, civil society organisations and other private entities. The Committee to Protect Journalists says the National Security Bill will expose journalists to further harassment and intimidation by authorities and legalise telecommunications shutdowns at the whim of security agencies.