Opponent argued the law dismissed fundamental rights, and used to justification of crackdowns against dissents and oppositions by the government.
[1][2][3] In August 2013, a debate panel was held regarding the law application whether it needed or contentious issue.
The ruling party Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) representatives defended the law, citing real danger of terrorism in Ethiopia and the ordinary laws ineffectiveness to combat terrorism.
The major opposition party, the Ethiopian Democratic Party also concurred the rationale of the law, adding the UN Security Council resolution 1373 is mandatory for enactment, while UN Security Council also instruct every states including Ethiopia to pass anti-terror laws.
[4] Representatives from other oppositions party stated that although terrorist threats would occur in Ethiopia, it is not much extent that lead to justify the law.