Parliament passes computer crime law further restricting freedom of speech

ESAT News (June 7, 2016)

The rubber stamp parliament in Addis Ababa passed a computer crime law on Tuesday that’s intended to further stifle freedom of speech.

The law, which has come under a damning scrutiny from all sides, makes punishable the exchange of any information that’s deemed antigovernment.

The law makes it illegal the exchange of emails, audiovisuals and pictures that encourage people to criticize, protest and rise against the regime.

Human rights organizations say the law tramples on human rights and the right to information. The rights groups also said the law is intended to spy on the exchange of information among people.