Egyptian Parliament resumes debate on bill challenged by human rights organisations
- Debate on reforming Egypt's Penal Code
- Concerns of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
- Criticism from human rights groups
- Calls for review and reconsideration of the law
- Human rights context in Egypt
Debate on reforming Egypt's Penal Code
There is parliamentary debate on reforming Egypt's Penal Code.
The Egyptian Parliament reopened the debate on a reform of the Penal Code that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had rejected in a rare move, demanding changes to guarantee the right to a fair trial.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's concerns
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli urged MPs to address Sisi's concerns about ‘clarity’ and ‘fairness’ after human rights groups and the United Nations called on the president to postpone ratification of the bill he received in April.
Sisi said last month that the law must be reconsidered to ‘remove ambiguities,’ strengthen the right to due process, and offer alternatives to Egypt's notorious preventive detention system.
Sisi also said the law should ‘guarantee the sanctity of the home’ after a bill gave authorities the power to enter homes without a warrant.
Criticism from human rights groups
Critics say the law risks codifying repressive practices that have long eroded the right to a fair trial in the country, including arbitrary detention and police misconduct.
Human rights advocates have criticised the law for expanding the powers granted to police and prosecutors at the expense of defendants and their lawyers, undermining judicial oversight and the right to a fair trial.
Calls for review and reconsideration of the law
The country's leading human rights group, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, said Parliament had a ‘unique opportunity to reconsider the overall philosophy of the law’ and not just insert cosmetic changes.
Human Rights Watch has called on Parliament to ‘completely revise the bill to address’ rights concerns.
Human rights context in Egypt
Egypt is frequently criticised for its human rights record, including enforced disappearances, unfair trials and the widespread use of preventive detention for years.
The authorities claim that a vigilant and strict approach is justified by the security challenges posed by extremist groups.
