Dec 11, 2012 introduction previous reports in memris series on egypt s draft constitution dealt with the controversial articles regarding the relations of religion and state in egypt. Egypt s new draft constitution reflects the coalition of leftist political parties and entrenched state actors that helped oust president muhammad morsi from power in july. Egyptian assembly passes draft constitution despite. Toward a democratic constitution for postrevolution egypt. The constitution refers to egypts international obligations arising from human rights treaties and conventions that it has ratified. Egypts draft constitution translated egypt independent.
As well, the draft law provides that all monies held by civil society organizations would be considered public funds, opening them to inspection by the government the prospect of harsher penalties in any case of misuse or embezzlement. For most people, the need to write a constitution will likely arise in the context of a small organization. If the president of the republic objects to a draft law ratified by the peoples. It shall also define cases where it is permitted to dispose free of charge, of real estate property belonging to the state and the ceding of its movable property and the rules and regulations organizing such procedures. In january 2014, article 19 analysed draft constitution of the arab. The amendments will next be voted on in a national referendum slated to take place april 1921 for egyptians abroad and april 2022 domestically. Egyptians living abroad were scheduled to vote between 8 and 11 december.
With a popular referendum on egypts draft constitution expected in january, the final draft has been submitted to interim president adly mansour for his approval. Egypts constitution and the document of the pioneering, peaceful revolution, which was started by egypts promising youth, protected by the armed forces, championed by the patient egyptians who gathered in tahrir square on 25 january 2011 to assert their rejection of all forms of injustice, oppression, tyranny, plunder and monopoly, to. A simple majority is required for the amendments to go into effect. Nov 30, 2012 the constituent assembly tasked with drafting egypt s postrevolution constitution has passed the document as the country continues to reel from a decree that gave extraordinary powers to the. The state shall ensure maternal and child health services free of charge, and enable the reconciliation between the duties of a woman toward her family and her. The state guarantees motherandchild services that are free of charge and pledges to. The current draft has been submitted to president mohamed morsy, who in turn will put it up for a referendum, the conditions of which remain unknown in the wake of a recent crisis between the president and the judiciary. The constitution of the arab republic of egypt state information. Nov 30, 2012 egypts pioneering intellectual and cultural leadership is an embodiment of its soft power, and a model of the free generosity of original creators and thinkers, universities, science centers, linguistic and research centers, the press, the arts, literature and mass media, the national church, and alazhar with its history as a mainstay of. But it also gave egypt s generals much of the power and privilege they had during the hosni mubarak era. Education in the state educational institutions shall be free of charge at the. Egypts constitution and the document of the pioneering, peaceful revolution, which. Blessed with a unique location and history, the arab nation of egypt is the heart of.
Seven upholding national unity is an obligation of state and society, for it is the cornerstone of building a modern egypt and the path to progress and development. Dec 02, 2012 egypts constitution and the document of the pioneering, peaceful revolution, which was started by egypts promising youth, protected by the armed forces, championed by the patient egyptians who gathered in tahrir square on 25 january 2011 to assert their rejection of all forms of injustice, oppression, tyranny, plunder and monopoly, to. Amid fierce debate over egypt s draft constitution, fikra forum editors asked egyptian human rights experts hafez abu saeda and magdi khalil to analyze the draft with respect to human rights, religious freedom, and democratic values. In the short run, the strength of this coalition and its ability to achieve a convincing mandate in the january constitutional referendum will determine whether the.
Article 19 free word centre, 60 farringdon rd, london ec1r 3ga. This is our constitution, egypt is the gift of the nile for egyptians and the gift of. Reading egypts draft constitution the new york times. It replaced the 2011 provisional constitution of egypt, adopted in 2011. The state shall ensure maternal and child health services free of. Voting for expatriates had been delayed until 12 december 2012 and was extended until 17 december 2012. A constitutional referendum was held in egypt in two rounds on 15 and 22 december 2012. The president shall submit the draft law regulating the presidential election to the supreme. Islamists unilaterally pass draft constitution in egypt cnn. Egypts new draft constitution reflects the coalition of leftist political parties and entrenched state actors that helped oust president muhammad morsi from power in july. This constitution shall serve as a basis for instilling constitutional culture and for enlightening citizens to respect fundamental human rights and duties. Voters were asked whether they approve of the draft constitution that was approved by the constituent assembly on 30 november. Egyptian human rights experts analyze the draft constitution fikra forum contributors november 15, 2012 amid fierce debate over egypt s draft constitution, fikra forum editors asked egyptian human rights experts hafez abu saeda and magdi khalil to analyze the draft with respect to human rights, religious freedom, and democratic values.
Palestines constitution of 2003 with amendments through 2005. December 1, 20, is meant to replace egypts 2012 constitution, which was written by an islamist. Sep 04, 2012 a tv show recently invited me to talk about the history of egyptian constitutions, and the lessons we can draw from this history in our efforts to draft a new constitution. He has written for the new york times, wall street journal, andwashington post, and contributes regularly to the egypt independent. Nov 29, 2012 the constituent assembly tasked with drafting egypt s postrevolution constitution was expected to pass its draft document on thursday as the country continued to reel from a presidential decree. Constitution of the arab republic of egypt refworld. Dec 01, 2012 after long hours of articlebyarticle voting on the egyptian constitution by the constituent assembly, the draft was passed on early friday. The arab republic of egypt draft constitution 20 new. The constitution of eritrea university of richmond.
Constitution of the arab republic of egypt,22 september 1971, available at. The constitutional history of modern egypt can be traced back to the egyptian revolution of 1919. The referendum is expected to take place in the first or second week of january. Topics included protests about egyptian president morsi, egypt. The flier seeks to undermine a series of objections to the draft constitution, with the help of clip art and answers to what are presented as common misconceptions. The meeting took place after delegates from the secular parties had walked out. Oct 11, 2012 the draft also kept the second article of egypts constitution exactly as it was in the previous document it says the principles of islamic sharia are the main source of legislation. Egypts draft constitution rewards the military and. Egyptian assembly expected to approve draft constitution. Introduction previous reports in memris series on egypts draft constitution dealt with the controversial articles regarding the relations of religion and state in egypt. Fidh is pleased that the new draft constitution dedicates its longest chapter to human rights and fundamental freedoms, including economic and social rights to housing and education, and the need to combat the corruption that had poisoned the system.
Feb 02, 2018 the members of the first peoples assembly and shoura councils except the appointed members will meet in a joint session following an invitation from the supreme council of armed forces within 6 months of their election to elect a provisional assembly composed of 100 members which will prepare a new draft constitution for the country to be. President mohamed morsi then announced a national referendum will be held on december 15. Draft constitution the version of december 20 refworld. According to the draft constitution, you qualify as the model egyptian citizen, and the state will be there for you all the way to uphold your rights and defend your freedoms however, if you happen to be a woman, a christian, a follower of a nonabrahamic faith or an atheist, or simply young, then egypts. Egypts pioneering intellectual and cultural leadership is an embodiment of its soft power, and a model of the free generosity of original creators and thinkers, universities, science centers, linguistic and research centers, the press, the arts, literature and mass media, the national church, and alazhar with its history as a mainstay of. But it leaves other equally important questions unanswered. The continuous attachment of the arab palestinian people to the land of their. Oct 08, 2012 new york the egyptian constituent assembly should amend articles in the draft constitution that undermine human rights in postmubarak egypt, human rights watch said today in a letter to. Dec 04, 2012 introduction on december 1, 2012, egyptian president muhammad mursi announced that egypt s new constitution would be put to referendum on december 15. Congratulations to all conservative, middleaged male muslims in egypt. A constitution is a document that provides the rules on how an organization of people e. Egyptian human rights experts analyze the draft constitution. As the war entered its third season, congress, in need of more manpower for the union army.
Egypt approves draft constitution despite objections the. Egypt s pioneering intellectual and cultural leadership is an embodiment of its soft power, and a model of the free generosity of original creators and thinkers, universities, science centers, linguistic and research centers, the press, the arts, literature and mass media, the national church, and alazhar with its history as a mainstay of. Introduction on december 1, 2012, egyptian president muhammad mursi announced that egypts new constitution would be put to referendum on december 15. Egypt s draft constitution has made headway on many key freedoms, but failed to address others. Dec 21, 2012 omar ashour says that while egypts 2012 draft constitution is the least authoritarian one the country has ever had, it is far from perfect. Accordingly, national legislation should be amended to be in line with international human rights standards. Every draft law shall be referred to a specialist committee of the house. An examination of egypts draft constitution part ii. In philadelphia, delegates to the constitutional convention begin debating the first complete draft of the proposed constitution of the united states. Egypts draft constitution has made headway on many key freedoms, but failed to address others. To that end, the values of tolerance and moderation.
In fact, the treaties marketed as trade agreements typically prevent free trade where such commerce would limit profits for the transnational corporations that draft key language. The draft budget is to be presented to the house of representatives at least. Draft dated 2 december 20 of the constitution of the arab republic of egypt prepared pursuant to article 29 of the constitutional declaration dated 8 july 20 unofficial translation prepared by international idea. We are drafting a constitution that achieves equality between us in rights and duties. He is the author of several books, most recently mehmed ali. Hafez abu saeda is the head of the egyptian organization for human rights and magdi khalil is the executive director of the middle east freedom forum. The constituent assembly tasked with drafting egypts postrevolution constitution was expected to pass its draft document on thursday as the country continued to. Omar ashour says that while egypts 2012 draft constitution is the least authoritarian one the country has ever had, it is far from perfect. Jan 19, 2014 with a popular referendum on egypts draft constitution expected in january, the final draft has been submitted to interim president adly mansour for his approval. Egyptian assembly passes draft constitution despite protests. The draft constitution submitted to egypts interim president, adly mansour, on december 2 settles a few important mattersit enhances the status of the state institutions that banded together against the muslim brotherhood, including the military, judiciary, and police.
The new draft constitution has removed language and articles favored by the islamists. Nov 30, 2012 whether a draft constitution approved by an assembly will move egypt toward being a freer and more open society is still in question, experts say. Fix draft constitution to protect key rights human. English translation of egypts 20 draft constitution. The united states first instituted military conscription during the american civil war. In egypts draft constitution, little sign of revolutionary. This is our constitution, egypt is the gift of the nile for egyptians and the gift of egyptians to humanity. The draft constitution will be presented within 15 days of its preparation to the. I renew my call for opening a serious national dialogue over the concerns of the nation, with all honesty and impartiality, to end the transitional period as soon as possible, in a way that guarantees the newlyborn democracy. Whether a draft constitution approved by an assembly will move egypt toward being a freer and more open society is still in question, experts say. Here are the points many in egypt are talking about. Egypts constitution committee met in cairo on thursday for a vote on the draft. New york the egyptian constituent assembly should amend articles in the draft constitution that undermine human rights in postmubarak egypt, human rights watch said today in.
The constitution of the arab republic of egypt was the former fundamental law of egypt. Protesters took to the streets in cairo and other egyptian cities today over a draft constitution written by islamists. Nov 30, 2012 protesters took to the streets in cairo and other egyptian cities today over a draft constitution written by islamists. Following rising agitations against britain, which had governed the territory as a protectorate since 1914, and increasing demands for independence, british rule over the territory was formally terminated under the terms of a joint declaration between britain and egypt in 1922. The draft also kept the second article of egypts constitution exactly as it was in the previous document it says the principles of islamic sharia are the main source of legislation.
Egypts constituent assembly passed a draft constitution on november 30. Cairo egypts islamist president mohamed morsis latest constitutional declaration removing legal oversight and restraint on his powers has been met with a storm of controversy and protests. The draft constitution ended egypt s allpowerful presidency, instituted a stronger parliament, and contained provisions against torture or detention without trial. Khaled fahmy is a professor of history and the chair of the history department at the american university in cairo. Draft constitution, january 2014 article 19 free word centre, 60 farringdon rd, london ec1r 3ga. The publication of the draft law on associations comes at a pivotal moment in egypt. The constituent assembly tasked with drafting egypts postrevolution constitution has passed the document as the country continues to reel from a. An examination of egypts draft constitution part iii. Educational institutions shall be free of charge in their. Amid fierce debate over egypts draft constitution, fikra forum editors asked egyptian human rights experts hafez abu saeda and magdi khalil to analyze the draft with respect to human rights, religious freedom, and democratic values. Screening of the draft constitution under a human rights perspective.
The egyptian constitution, article number 17,in the section. Dec 12, 20 egypt s draft constitution has made headway on many key freedoms, but failed to address others. Egypts draft constitution rewards the military and judiciary. The arab republic of egypt is an independent, united sovereign state that. After long hours of articlebyarticle voting on the egyptian constitution by the constituent assembly, the draft was passed on early friday. Any person born of an eritrean father or mother is an eritrean by birth. Egypt s constituent assembly passed a draft constitution on november 30. On april 16, 2019, 531 members of egypts house of representatives voted to approve a set of constitutional amendments to the countrys 2014 constitution. There has been no mandatory draft for military conscription since 1973. Apr 09, 2020 a constitution is a document that provides the rules on how an organization of people e. It was signed into law by president mohamed morsi on 26 december 2012, after it was approved by the constituent assembly on 30 november 2012 and passed in a referendum held 1522 december 2012 with 64% support, and a turnout of 33%. The draft is constitutional as long as it is written in accord with the practices of americas two world wars, which allowed some objections to armed service. The arab republic of egypt is a state with a democratic system, based on citizenship, and the egyptian people are a part of the arab nation working toward achieving its comprehensive unity. Steven cook talked about the vote on egypts draft constitution, and he responded to telephone calls and electronic communication.
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