 Western and Jewish targets in Casablanca were hit |
Morocco's parliament has overwhelmingly passed a controversial anti-terrorism law in the wake the Casablanca suicide bombings 11 days ago. All 89 legislators present in the upper house on Tuesday voted in favour of the bill, which broadens the definition of terrorism and increases the number of offences punishable by death.
The measures were withdrawn for amendment in April, following strong criticism from human rights groups, reports the French news agency, AFP.
On 16 May, five bombs near Western and Jewish targets in Casablanca, killing 43 people.
Co-ordinated
The BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner says there are indications that the blasts were probably the work of a North African cell linked to al-Qaeda.
In the past, Osama Bin Laden's network has carried out similar co-ordinated suicide bombings against Western or Jewish targets.
The bill was passed by the lower house a week ago but will not take effect until it is gazetted.
It defines a terrorist act as "any premeditated act, by an individual or a group, that aims to breach public order through terror and violence".
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