Sponsored by the Senate Leader, the amendment bill proposes to expand the definition of terrorism to cover all forms of kidnapping and hostage-taking, responding to the surge in abductions and ransom-driven violence across the country. Lawmakers backing the bill argued that only the harshest possible punishment would act as an effective deterrent to criminal gangs and terrorist groups that have turned kidnapping into a lucrative enterprise.
During debate at plenary, senators resolved that once the law is amended, courts should have no discretion to impose lesser sentences, with the death penalty becoming automatic upon conviction for the specified offences. The bill has now been referred to the relevant Senate committees for further scrutiny and a public hearing, after which it will return to the chamber for third reading and possible passage into law.
