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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Egyptwww.carnegieendowment.org/arabpoliticalsystemswww.fride.org/eng/Publications/Publication.aspx?Item=787

EGYPT

....................................................................................................................................................................2

....................................................................................................................................................................2

UPDATES AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS ......................................................................................3

UPDATES AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS ......................................................................................3

STATE INSTITUTIONS/ SEPARATION OF POWERS.....................................................................5

STATE INSTITUTIONS/ SEPARATION OF POWERS.....................................................................5

EE!"#I$E%&'(!)..............................................................................................................................*

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

0E6I0'#I$E%&'(!)............................................................................................................................4

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace1779 Massachusetts Ave. NWWashington .C. !""#$%!1"#www.carnegieendowment.org

&undaci'n (ara las )elaciones Internacionales * eli+logo E,terior-C &eli(e I/- 9 % 10 dcha. !"12 Madrid.www.fride.org

At A Glance

Population uly 4 est. 8@@*@4

6,P Per !apita 9PPP; 4 est. AB

)uman ,eCelopment Index &anD "(,P 4 9out of 77 countries;

2reedom )ouse &ating 4 (ot 2ree

Political &igFts 4

!iCil 0iberties *

2reedom of tFe Press &anD 2reedom )ouse 4 8 9out of GB countries;

!orruption Index &anD #ransparency International 7 * 9out of 8 countries;

6ender Empowerment &anD "(,P B 7* 9out of 78 countries;
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/arabpoliticalsystemshttp://www.fride.org/eng/Publications/Publication.aspx?Item=787http://www.carnegieendowment.org/http://www.fride.org/http://www.carnegieendowment.org/http://www.fride.org/http://www.carnegieendowment.org/arabpoliticalsystemshttp://www.fride.org/eng/Publications/Publication.aspx?Item=787

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Arab Political Systems: Baseline Information and Reforms Egypt

!&E'#E,'(E0E!#+&'0!+33II+(#++$E&EEE0E!#I+(2+)E)"&'!+"(!I0'(,#)EPE+P0EH'E3%0-. #)E3E3%E&!+33II+(1I00%E)E',E,%-#)E3I(I#E&+2"#I!E'(,1I00I(!0",E'&EP&EE(#'#I$E2&+3#)EI(#E&I+&3I(I#&- #)&EEE(I+&",6E '(,II(,EPE(,E(#3E3%E+%EE0E!#E,%-#)E#1+)+"E+2P'&0I'3E(#. !&I#I!'EE,#)'##)E!+33II+(I,+3I('#E,%-('#I+('0,E3+!&'#I!P'-9(,P;3E3%E&1)+)'$E%EE(&EP+(I%0E2+&E0E!#+&'0I&&E6"0'&I#IEI(#)EP'#. .................8

I(#&+,"!EPE('0#IE2+&'(-!'(,I,'#E1)+'!!EP#2+&EI6(2"(,I(6..................................8",I!I'&-..............................................................................................................................................8P'&0I'3E(#E(,+&E,'0'1+(3'-8 7 #)'#&'IE#)E+22I!I'0&E#I&E3E(#'6E2+&",6E2&+348 #+7 I('3+$E!&I#I!!0'I3'I3#+5EEP0+(6#I3EP'I'(+2#)E(,PI(5E-",I!I'0P+I#I+(. .................................................................................................................0+!'06+$E&(3E(#..........................................................................................................................4 6+$E&(+&'#E)E',E,%-'6+$E&(+&'(,'(EE!"#I$E!+"(!I0'PP+I(#E,%-#)EP&EI,E(#.............................................................................................................................................4 ,I#&I!#2+&',3I(I#&'#I$EP"&P+E. ................................................................................BBG4 $I00'6E3"(I!IP'0I#IE'(,GG #+1(3"(I!IP'0I#IE.......................................................

RIGHTS ...................................................................................................................................................12

RIGHTS ...................................................................................................................................................12PE&+('00I%EIE...........................................................................................................................0E6I0'#I+(&E6"0'#I(6#)EEE&!IE+2&I6)#........................................................................&E!E(#6+$E&(3E(#I(I#I'#I$E'22E!#I(6&I6)#....................................................................*

POLITICAL FORCES............................................................................................................................16

POLITICAL FORCES............................................................................................................................16

P+0I#I!'0P'IE .............................................................................................................................4!I$I0+!IE#-......................................................................................................................................G

ELECTION RESULTS...........................................................................................................................21

ELECTION RESULTS...........................................................................................................................21

CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION..........................................................................................................24

CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION..........................................................................................................24

CORRUPTION........................................................................................................................................25

CORRUPTION........................................................................................................................................25

RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS.............................................................26

RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS.............................................................26

Carnegie Endowment for International Peacewww.carnegieendowment.org

&undaci'n (ara las )elaciones Internacionales * eli+logo E,teriorwww.fride.org
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/http://www.fride.org/http://www.carnegieendowment.org/http://www.fride.org/

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Updates and Forthcoming Events

'n Egyptian military court adJourned on 2ebruary 4 8 tFe trial of forty

3uslim %rotFerFood leaders including second ,eputy 6uide 5Fairat alFatiruntil 3arcF *. #Fe %rotFerFood leaders face cFarges of membersFip in a bannedorganiKation> reports differ on wFetFer preCious cFarges of money laundering FaCe

been dropped. Egyptian autForities also arrested more tFan %rotFerFoodmembers between 2ebruary B and 8. ome B %rotFerFood members are nowin detention most of tFem witFout cFarge. #Fe %rotFerFood says a continuedcracDdown by tFe autForities is aimed at preCenting its members from running inlocal elections in 'pril. !licDFere for more information.

+n 2ebruary * 8 an Egyptian !ourt appointed EgyptHs first female mazun

9Justice of tFe peace; to perform and register marriages. Egypt appointed its firstfemale Judge in @. !licDFere for more details.

#Fe 3inistry of Information banned tFe distribution of four foreign newspapers on2ebruary G 8 tFe day on wFicF tFe papers reprinted controCersial ,anisFcartoons deemed offensiCe to tFe PropFet 3uFammad. #Fe four bannednewspapers were 6ermany:sFrankfurter Allgemeine ZeitungandDie elt tFe0ondonbased !bser"er#and tFe (ew -orDbased all Street $ournal. !licD Ferefor more information.

+n 2ebruary 8 an appeals court in !airo upFeld tFe conCiction of al

aKeera documentary producer )owayda #aFa for LFarming EgyptHs reputationMdue to Fer worD on a program about torture in Egyptian prisons but oCerturned FerconCiction on tFe cFarge of Lspreading false news.M #Fe court strucD down tFe sixmontF prison sentence sFe receiCed in 3ay but upFeld a fine of Egyptian

pounds 9".. A@47;. !licD Ferefor more details.

' !airo !riminal !ourt postponed on 2ebruary 8 tFe trial of four police

officers cFarged witF torture to 'pril @. #Fe police officers are cFarged witFtorturing a prisoner to deatF in uly . In a separate case Egyptian prosecutorscFarged on 2ebruary G two policemen witF murdering a man by tFrowing Fim off a

balcony in !airo in tFe latest FigF profile case of suspected police abuse. 2iCe

policemen FaCe been conCicted and sentenced to Jail on torture cFarges since(oCember 7.

#Fe Egypt upreme 'dministratiCe !ourt ruled on 2ebruary 8 in faCor of

allowing twelCe !Fristian conCerts to Islam to reconCert to !Fristianity. #Fe rulingoCerturned an 'pril 7 lower court decision tFat upFeld tFe goCernment policyof refusing to allow tFe conCerts to cFange mandatory national identification cardsto reflect tFeir reconCersion. !licD Ferefor more details.

' 2ebruary * 8 )uman &igFts 1atcF statementcalled on tFe Egyptian

goCernment to oCerturn tFe conCictions of four men for tFe LFabitual practice of

debaucFeryM and to free four otFers wFo are currently detained on similar cFarges.



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#Fe Fuman rigFts organiKation also called on autForities to end arbitrary arrestsbased on )I$ status and to taDe steps to end preJudice and misinformation about)I$/'I,. ' recent waCe of arrests of Fomosexuals began in +ctober 7 wFen

police stopped two men FaCing an altercation on a street in central !airo.

Upco!"# Po$!%!c&$ E'("%)*

0ocal elections 'pril 8 8



B

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State Institutions/ Separation of Powers

#Fe constitution 9EnglisF #ext 'rabic #ext; was approCed by referendum on

eptember G7.

Eecutive !ranch

#Fe Fead of state is tFe president. #Fe presidential term is six years but may be

extended to unlimited additional consecutiCe terms.

#Fe p+()!,("%

)as tFe power to appoint and dismiss one or more Cice presidents tFe primeminister ministers ciCil and military officials and diplomatic representatiCes.

Is tFe supreme commander of tFe armed forces. )as tFe rigFt to grant amnesty and reduce sentence. !an call for a referendum. !an witF tFe approCal of tFe PeopleHs 'ssembly issue decrees FaCing tFe

force of law but only for a defined time period. Presides oCer tFe upreme !ouncil of udicial +rganiKations. !an dissolCe tFe PeopleHs 'ssembly but only following a referendum or under

martial law. !an proclaim a state of emergency for a limited period wFicF may not be

extended witFout tFe approCal of tFe PeopleHs 'ssembly. #Fe state ofemergency Fas been in effect since G8. +n 2ebruary @ @ tFe PeopleHs

'ssembly Coted to extend Egypt:s state of emergency for tFree more years. +nly one article in tFe constitution 'rticle 8* proCides cFecDs and balances

on tFe presidentHs power. It states tFat tFe president can be impeacFed if twotFirds of tFe 'ssembly accuses Fim of LFigF treason or of committing acriminal actM and replaced temporarily by tFe Cice president. It also specifiesFe sFould be tried by a special #ribunal set up by law. President 3ubaraD FasneCer enacted tFe law essential to implementing tFis article or appointed a Cice

president. #Fe People:s 'ssembly approCed on 3ay * an amendment to 'rticle 74

of tFe Egyptian !onstitution to allow multicandidate elections for tFepresidency. #Fe amendment was approCed on 3ay * * by a public

referendum. "ntil now tFe PeopleHs 'ssembly tFe lower Fouse of Parliamentnominated tFe presidential candidate by a twotFirds maJority and tFe nomineewas tFen confirmed by a national referendum. "nder tFe amendment

EacF registered political party is permitted to field a candidate duringtFe * elections but in future elections a party will need to FaCe beenlicensed for at least fiCe years and to Fold at least fiCe percent of tFeseats in tFe lower and upper Fouses of parliament to get on tFe ballot.

Independent candidates will need to garner signatures from * electedofficials a mix of members of parliament and local councils.

#Fe presidential election will be superCised by a tenmember electoralcommission 9fiCe senior Judges and fiCe nonpartisan figures;. In early



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http://www.parliament.gov.eg/EPA/en/sections.jsp?typeID=1&levelid=54&parentlevel=6&levelno=2#beginhttp://www.parliament.gov.eg/EPA/ar/sections.jsp?typeID=1&levelid=54&parentlevel=6&levelno=2http://www.parliament.gov.eg/EPA/en/itemX.jsp?itemFlag=Normal&categoryID=15&sectionID=16&typeID=1&categoryIDX=15&itemID=92&levelid=54&parentlevel=6&levelno=2&backFlag=falsehttp://www.parliament.gov.eg/EPA/en/itemX.jsp?itemFlag=Normal&categoryID=15&sectionID=16&typeID=1&categoryIDX=15&itemID=83&levelid=54&parentlevel=6&levelno=2&backFlag=falsehttp://www.carnegieendowment.org/http://www.fride.org/http://www.parliament.gov.eg/EPA/en/sections.jsp?typeID=1&levelid=54&parentlevel=6&levelno=2#beginhttp://www.parliament.gov.eg/EPA/ar/sections.jsp?typeID=1&levelid=54&parentlevel=6&levelno=2http://www.parliament.gov.eg/EPA/en/itemX.jsp?itemFlag=Normal&categoryID=15&sectionID=16&typeID=1&categoryIDX=15&itemID=92&levelid=54&parentlevel=6&levelno=2&backFlag=falsehttp://www.parliament.gov.eg/EPA/en/itemX.jsp?itemFlag=Normal&categoryID=15&sectionID=16&typeID=1&categoryIDX=15&itemID=83&levelid=54&parentlevel=6&levelno=2&backFlag=falsehttp://www.carnegieendowment.org/http://www.fride.org/

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uly * tFe presidential election commission was formed Feaded by!Fief ustice of tFe upreme !onstitutional !ourt 3amdouF 3arei.

3uFammad )osni 3ubaraD Fas been tFe president since +ctober B G8.

&eports tFat President 3ubaraDHs son 6amal is being groomed to succeed Fim

FaCe angered tFe opposition but FaCe been denied by tFe president.

#Fe p+!( !"!)%(+

Is appointed by tFe president but can only serCe witF tFe confidence of tFeparliament.

'Fmed (aKeef became prime minister on uly G B.

3inistersare

'ppointed by tFe president but can only serCe witF tFe confidence oftFe parliament. President 3ubaraD announced a new cabinet on 'ugust 8 4 after alimited resFuffle. 3ubaraD broDe up tFe 3inistry of Planning and Economic,eCelopment 9seen as a Cestige of Egypt:s socialist days; into 3inistries forEconomic ,eCelopment and a 3inistry for 0ocal ,eCelopment.

's in many 'rab states tFe Egyptian military is a Dey political and economic actor

in tFe regime. ince tFe G7s military officers FaCe witFdrawn from daytodaygoCernance and tFere Fas been a gradual decline in tFe number of officers inColCed

in politics and administration. )oweCer tFe military retains an influential positionin tFe political system tFrougF its close association witF tFe presidency.

R(-o+) U",(+ D!)c))!o"

3ost analysts belieCe tFat tFe recent amendment of 'rticle 74 of tFeconstitution falls sFort of wFat would be reNuired to create truly competitiCe

presidential elections. +pposition spoDespersons FaCe presented suggestionsabout furtFer constitutional and legal cFanges tFat would be reNuired for

presidential elections to be truly free and fair. #Fese include amending 'rticle77 to limit tFe duration of presidential terms 9decreasing from six to four years;

and tFeir number 9from unlimited to two;> strengtFening proCisions for JudicialsuperCision of elections> lifting tFe state of emergency and ending Ciolations ofciCil and political liberties.

"egislative !ranch

#Fe G7 constitution was amended to create a bicameral legislature on 3ay

G8.



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#Fe legislatureHs ability to cFange tFe goCernment or to amend legislation remains

seCerely limited.

'lmost all legislation is initiated by tFe executiCe. In some cases tFe executiCe

passes legislation witFout any debate.

#FePeopleHs 'ssembly93aJlis alFaab; Fas B*B members> BBB elected by

popular Cote 9B elected by proportional representation in twomemberconstituencies and BB elected in singleseat constituencies;> appointed by tFe

president. "niCersal and mandatory suffrage 8 years and older.

#Fe P(op$() A))(0$*

Is elected for fiCe years. )as legislatiCe powers. (ominates tFe president.

Proposes laws and enacts bills. 'pproCes tFe general plan of economic and social deCelopment and tFe general

budget of tFe state. 3ay create standing temporary and factfinding committees. 'dopts resolutions by an absolute maJority of tFe attending members. !an pass a Cote of no confidence in a minister reNuiring Fim to resign. Fould

tFat Fappen against tFe presidentHs wisFes tFe matter may be put to areferendum.

Elections last Feld in (oCember,ecember *.

#Fe !onsultatiCe !ouncil 93aJlis alFura;Fas 4B members 74 elected bypopular Cote and 88 appointed by tFe president. 't least Falf of tFe elected 74members must be worDers and farmers.

#Fe Co")$%&%!'( Co"c!$

+nly 74 members of tFe !onsultatiCe 9Fura; !ouncil are directly elected forsixyear terms wFile tFe president appoints tFe remaining eigFtyeigFt.Elections and appointments are executed on a rotating basis witF one Falf oftFe council renewed eCery tFree years.

2unctions only in a consultatiCe role.

)as a mandatory consultatiCe role in laws tFat implement constitutionalproCisions.

3ay be consulted by tFe Fead of state in otFer draft laws. 3ay be dissolCed by tFe president according to 'rticle Bof tFe constitution

only LwFen necessaryM but elections for a new !ouncil must be Feld witFin 4days.

Elections for tFe !onsultatiCe !ouncil were last Feld on une and 8 7.

(ext elections are scFeduled for .



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EgyptHs PeopleHs 'ssembly passed a series of controCersial amendments to tFe

Political Participation 0aw 9amending 0aw 7@ of G*4; tFat affect parliamentaryelection. #Fe cFanges

!reated an electoral commission to oCersee elections for tFe Fura

!ouncil and tFe PeopleHs 'ssembly. #Fe member commission will beFeaded by tFe 3inister of ustice and will include a representatiCe from tFeInterior 3inistry tFree senior Judges and six independent members to beselected by tFe two Fouses of parliament. !ritics asserted tFat tFe commissionis dominated by (ational ,emocratic Party 9(,P; members wFo FaCe beenresponsible for electoral irregularities in tFe past. Introduce penalties for any candidate wFo accepts foreign funding.

#udiciar$

Egypt Fas a ciCil law system in wFicF codes are adapted Cersions of European9mainly 2rencF; ciCil law except for matters of personal status wFicF are based onreligious laws. Personal status law Fas been codified for 3uslims and !optic!Fristians.

#Fe independence and inCiolability of tFe Judiciary are guaranteed by 'rticles 4B

and 4* of tFe constitution.

#Fe Public Prosecutor +ffice is independent from tFe 3inistry of ustice but tFe

Public Prosecutor is a presidential appointee.

udges are appointed by goCernmental decrees.

,!c!&+ Co"c!$)

#Fe upreme udicial !ouncil 93aJlis al

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ummary #ribunals 93aFaDim 6uKiya; settle minor offences andmisdemeanors ciCil and commercial cases under * Egyptian pounds9A4; labor issues and minor personal status matters. #Fere is no special

personal status or Faria Judiciary tFougF tFe regular courts do FaCedesignated sections for personal status cases.

ummary #ribunals of 2irst Instance 93aFaDim 5ulliya; treat appeals fromtFe ummary #ribunals and ciCil and commercial cases exceeding *

pounds.

#Fere are seCen )igF !ourts of 'ppeal 93aFaDim alIstinaf; tFat Fearappeals from #ribunals of 2irst Instance.

#Fe !ourt of !assation 93aFDamat al(aNd;serCes as tFe final court ofappeal for all lower court cases in tFe normal court system but not for otFersystems 9sucF as military and administratiCe courts;.

#Fe upreme !onstitutional !ourt establisFed in G4G Fas exclusiCeJurisdiction oCer Nuestions concerning tFe constitutionality of laws rules andregulations. It was empowered by 'rticles 7B78of tFe constitution.,ecisions are publisFed in tFe official 6aKette.

Co+%) o- E%+&o+,!"&+ +!),!c%!o"

#Fe Political Parties !ourt establisFed by 'rticle 8 of 0aw (o. B of G77reCiews appeals by parties reNuesting tFe establisFment of a political party andcFallenging tFe decision of tFe PartiesH !ommittee.

3ilitary courts try cases inColCing tFe armed forces but during a state ofemergency tFe president may transfer otFer crimes to tFe military courts. inceGG ciCilians cFarged witF terrorism and otFer securityrelated offenses FaCe

been referred by tFe president to military courts. ince military Judges areappointed by tFe 3inistry of ,efense to sFort renewable twoyear terms tFesetribunals are subordinate to tFe executiCe brancF. $erdicts by military courtsare subJect to reCiew only by a body of military Judges ratFer tFan a court andto ratification by tFe president. 'llegations of forced confessions bydefendants are routine.

tate ecurity courts were abolisFed by parliamentary $(#!)$&%!o"on une 4@. #Fe courts Fear matters inColCing Ciolations of LsecurityM measures inregular Egyptian law sucF as economic crimes certain political crimesterrorism tFeft of public money espionage and possession of explosiCes. #FerigFt to appeal a conCiction in state security courts was limited to proceduralgrounds. 'ccording to tFe new legislation security crimes will be tried inordinary criminal courts. #Fis will giCe defendants tFe ability to appeal onsubstantiCe as well as on procedural grounds. )oweCer tate ecurityEmergency courts remain in existence and tFey try cases of Ciolations of tFeemergency law.



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entences issued by tFe tate ecurity Emergency !ourts cannot be appealedexcept on procedural grounds and are subJect to ratification by tFe presidentwFo can annul botF conCictions and acNuittals.

#Fe ordinary ciCilian courts are considered to be relatiCely competent impartial

and independent of tFe executiCe brancF. )oweCer political and security casesare usually placed under tFe Jurisdiction of eitFer tFe military courts or tFetate ecurity Emergency !ourts botF of wFicF answer directly to tFe

president and deny defendants many constitutional protections.

#Fe Egyptian +rganiKation for )uman &igFts 9E+)&; estimates tFat tFere areapproximately @ to 4 people detained witFout cFarge on suspicion ofsecurity or political offenses as well as seCeral tFousand wFo FaCe beenconCicted and are serCing sentences on sucF cFarges.

R(-o+) U",(+ D!)c))!o"

Parliament endorsed a law on 3ay 8 7 tFat raises tFe official retirementage for Judges from 48 to 7 in a moCe critics claim aims to Deep longtime

partisans of tFe (,P in Dey Judicial positions.

#Fe People:s 'ssembly endorsed on 'pril 7 a new military tribunalslaw tFat creates an appeals process for military personnel or ciCilians sentenced

by military courts. &epresentatiCes from tFe 3uslim %rotFerFood al1afdand leftist parties opposed tFe law on tFe grounds tFat it is a superficial attemptto Justify tFe recent amendment of 'rticle 7G of tFe constitution wFicF giCestFe president tFe autFority to remand ciCilians suspected of terrorism offensesfor trial in military courts.

"ocal Government

#Fe local goCernment consists of

4 goCernorates Feaded by a goCernor and an executiCe councilappointed by tFe president. 4 districts for administratiCe purposes. BBG4 Cillage municipalities and GG town municipalities.

3unicipal elections occur eCery four years for peopleHs councils at botF tFe

goCernorate and district leCels but tFese bodies FaCe Cery limited power in relationto tFe executiCe councils. ' Cast maJority of members 9G* percent; are from tFeruling (ational ,emocratic Party.

EgyptHs parliament approCed by a @B84 Cote on 2ebruary B 4 a proposal

by President )osni 3ubaraD tFat municipal elections be delayed for two years. #Femandate of EgyptHs municipal officials was due to expire on 'pril 4 4 andelections were to be organiKed witFin a twomontF period before tFat date.

'ccording to (,P ecretary 6eneral and Fura speaDer afwat alFerif tFepostponement is necessary to draft a new law intended to deColCe autFority to


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municipalities. #Fe delay FoweCer is widely seen in Egypt as an attempt by tFe(,P to regroup after tFe 3uslim %rotFerFood won 88 of B*B seats inparliamentary elections in (oCember. #Fe 3uslim %rotFerFood cannot field acandidate for president under current rules because it is not a legal party but if itelected enougF supporters to tFe local councils and tFe !onsultatiCe !ouncil it

could eCentually place an independent candidate onto tFe ballot.



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%ights

Personal "i!erties

#Fe constitution guarantees all citiKens freedom of worsFip 9'rticle B4; freedom

of opinion and expression in all its forms LwitFin tFe limits of tFe lawM 9'rticleB7; and tFe rigFt to Lpeaceful and unarmed priCate assemblyM 9'rticle *B;.

#Fe Emergency 0aw restricts many basic rigFts. Its proCisions allow for tFe arrest

witFout cFarge and prolonged pretrial detention of suspects as well as tFeirfamilies and acNuaintances.

#orture and inadeNuate food and medical care are perCasiCe in custody.

#Fe (ew -orDbased organiKation )uman &igFts 1atcF proCides a compreFensiCe

oCerCiewof Fuman rigFts deCelopments in Egypt.

"egislation %egulating the Eercise of %ights

Po$!%!c&$ P&+% L&)

'rticle * of tFe constitution states tFat Egypt is a multiparty democracy.

#Fe Political Parties 0aw of G77 90aw B/G77; proFibits political partiesbased on religious identity.

#Fe Political Parties 'ffairs !ommittee 9PP'!; created in G74 manages tFeregistration of new political parties. #Fe sixmember PP'! is affiliated witFtFe !onsultatiCe !ouncil in Parliament 93aJlis alFura;.

#Fe PP'! Fas approCed only tFree new parties since its establisFment. +tFerpolitical parties FaCe been licensed by tFe Political Parties !ourt after tFeywere reJected by tFe PP'!.

EgyptHs PeopleHs 'ssembly passed a series of controCersial amendments to tFepolitical party law on uly B * before adJourning until after fall *.!Fange to tFe Political Parties 0aw 9amending 0aw B of G77; &esFaped tFe PP'! wFicF will FencefortF be Feaded by tFe !Fairman of

tFe Fura !ouncil 9currently (,P ecretary 6eneral afwat alFerif; andwill include tFe 3inisters of Interior and People:s 'ssembly 'ffairs as wellas tFree former Judges and tFree independent public figures. +ppositioncritics FaCe called for dismantling tFe committee or balancing (,P andopposition membersFip.

3ade it easier for new parties in tFat tFey are considered automatically

licensed if tFe committee does not obJect witFin G days of tFe partyHs


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notification of formation but it preserCes tFe committeeHs ability to blocDany new party not deemed to Ladd sometFing newM to existing parties.

+pposition groups expressed frustration because amendments included little oftFeir input despite a wellpubliciKed dialogue witF tFe (ational ,emocratic

Party.

L& o" A))oc!&%!o")

'ccording to tFe general legal frameworD nongoCernmental organiKations9(6+s; in Egypt must serCe tFe public interest be formally registered FaCeinternal regulations and FaCe a nonreligious mission.

+n une @ @ tFe People:s 'ssembly approCed a new law goCerning ciCicassociations 0aw no. 8B of to replace 0aw @ of G4B. #Fe new law %ans associations from taDing part in political or union actiCities.

'ssociations may not engage in political actiCities unless tFey areregistered as political parties.

ProFibits tFe receipt of foreign funding witFout explicit goCernmentapproCal.

6rants tFe 3inistry of ocial 'ffairs instead of tFe courts tFe rigFt todisband by administratiCe decree any (6+ deemed to perform illegalactiCity.

!loses legal loopFoles tFat allowed Fuman rigFts groups to aCoid (6+restrictions by registering as law firms or ciCil companies.

&eNuires of all of EgyptHs 4 organiKations to register again witF tFe3inistry of ocial 'ffairs. #Fe applications of some long establisFedFuman rigFts organiKations were reJected.

#Fe proFibition against (6+s being inColCed in political actiCities is subJect tobroad interpretation against Fuman rigFts organiKations

In anuary @ tFe People:s 'ssembly granted Egyptian worDers tFe rigFt tostriDe for tFe first time. 'ccording to tFis decision striDes in nonstrategicfactories and firms are a legitimate action if tFey gain tFe approCal of twotFirds of tFe members following tFe failure of negotiations witF tFe employer.#Fe striDe statement sFould mention tFe cause of tFe striDe and its duration.

#Fe 3inister of Parliamentary 'ffairs 5amal alFaKli declared tFat tFegoCernment Fas agreed to consider tFe striDe period as unpaid leaCe for tFeworDers in order to protect tFem from arbitrary and unfair decisions byemployers. )oweCer opponents of tFe new ruling demonstrated in protest

because tFey considered it to Ciolate worDers rigFts and giCe Cast powers toemployers wFile restricting tFe rigFt to striDe.

M(,!& L&)

#Fe constitution guarantees freedom of tFe press printing publication andmass media and proFibits censorsFip 9'rticle B8;. )oweCer in a state of

emergency or in time of war a limited censorsFip may be imposed 9'rticle BG;



@
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and a state of emergency Fas been in effect almost continuously since G47 andcontinuously since G8.

Press freedom is FeaCily restricted by Caguely worded proCisions in tFe Press0aw tFe Publications 0aw tFe Penal !ode and libel laws.

'upreme Press !ouncilwas created in G8 to safeguard tFe freedom of tFepress cFecD goCernment censorsFip and looD after tFe interest of Journalists.)oweCer censorsFip and restrictions of JournalistsH rigFts persist.

3edia criticism of tFe goCernment is commonplace but press laws wFicFallow prison sentences for libel and OinsultsO and an ongoing state ofemergency FaCe encouraged selfcensorsFip on sensitiCe issues.

#Fe Penal !ode proCides for fines and imprisonment for criticism of tFepresident members of goCernment and foreign Feads of state. ,irect criticism

of tFe president Fis family or tFe military can result in tFe imprisonment ofJournalists and tFe closure of publications. ,iscussion of tensions between3uslims and !Fristian in Egypt and Ciews regarded as antiIslamic are alsoFeaCily proscribed.

3ost of tFe press is state owned. ECen opposition press is often dependent onadCertising reCenue from public sector companies.

#Fe Fura !ouncil in appointed ten new editors to tFe maJor staterunpublications in une * replacing editors wFo in many cases Fad serCed formore tFan years. &etirees included IbraFim (afie ofAl A%ram#tFe 'rabworldHs largest and oldest press organiKation and IbraFim eada of Ak%bar Al&om. 3ost of tFe new appointees are Journalists in tFeir Bs or *s wFo FaCerisen tFrougF tFe ranDs of Egyptian news organiKations.

EgyptHs PeopleHs 'ssembly passed on uly B * a series of controCersialamendments to tFe Political Participation 0aw 9amending 0aw 7@ of G*4;including new penalties on Journalists for publisFing false information witF tFeintent to affect election results.

#Fe PeopleHs 'ssembly passed on uly 4 controCersial amendments to

tFe GG4 press and publications law tFat do not abolisF prison sentences forJournalists despite protests by Fuman rigFts actiCists and Journalists. 'tPresident )osni 3ubaraDHs suggestion parliament ultimately remoCed a clausetFat would FaCe made reporting on tFe financial dealings of public figures

punisFable by up to tFree years in prison. )oweCer tFe law retains punisFmentfor criticiKing public officials mandating Jail terms between six montFs andfiCe years or a fine of * Egyptian pounds 9"A87@B8;.

ince eptember 7 nine independent and opposition Journalists receiCedprison sentences for pressrelated offenses. !licD (+(for details.



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'ccording to tFe annual1orldwide Press 2reedom Indexby &eporters witFout%orders Egypt ranDs B4 of 4G countries. #Fe index runs from 9most pressfreedom; to 4G 9least press freedom;.

P(+)o"&$ S%&%) L&

In anuary tFe parliament reCised tFe Personal tatus 0aw to proCidewomen witF tFe opportunity to diCorce tFeir Fusbands witFout proCingmistreatment. In sucF cases tFe woman must giCe bacD tFe dowry giCen by tFeFusband and exempt Fim from any financial obligations.

In tFe fall of tFe courts abolisFed statutes tFat proFibited women fromobtaining passports or traCeling witFout permission from tFeir fatFers orFusbands.

%ecent Government Initiatives Affecting %ights

In recent years tFe ruling (,PHs policy secretariat Feaded by President )osni

3ubaraDHs son 6amal Fas proposed a pacDage of reforms designed to reinCigoratetFe (,PHs domestic image and to respond to international criticism of EgyptHsFuman rigFts abroad. &eforms reportedly under consideration include introducinga proportional representation electoral system ending criminal penalties forCiolations of tFe press law and giCing tFe Fura !ouncil tFe adCisory upper Fouseof Parliament full legislatiCe powers. ' proposal to allow opposition partyrepresentatiCes to Join tFe (,Pcontrolled political parties committee wFicFoCersees party registration may also be debated along witF cFanges to tFe lawsgoCerning professional associations and ciCil society organiKations.

#FeN&%!o"&$ Co"c!$ -o+ H&" R!#%)9(!)&; was created in une * @

and became operational in B. Its mandate is to monitor tFe EgyptiangoCernmentHs Fuman rigFts performance and to adCance Fuman rigFts education.It is affiliated to tFe Fura !ouncil but it Fas separate budget and bylaws. #Fe!ouncil publisFes annual reports on Fuman rigFts conditions in Egypt. #Fe 26728report calls for canceling tFe state of emergency in place continuously sinceG8 amending tFe penal code widening Judicial elections monitoring and

improCing tFe treatment of detainees.

Egypt was elected to tFe "( )uman &igFts !ouncil tFe FigFest "(

Fuman rigFts body on 3ay 7 7. ' briefing paper 9EnglisF text 'rabic text;by tFe Egyptian InitiatiCe for Personal &igFts and )uman &igFts 1atcF argues tFatEgypt:s Lterrible Fuman rigFts record made tFat country a poor cFoice formembersFipM but Lwelcomed tFe Egyptian goCernment:s public pledge to improCeits practices domestically and to strengtFen tFe capacity of tFe council.M

#Fe !airo 6oCernorHs +ffice sFut down tFe 'ssociation for )uman

&igFts 0egal 'id wFicF reports on Fuman rigFts Ciolations and proCides legal

assistance to Cictims and tooD control of its assets on eptember 8 7. #FegoCernor Fad issued a decree eptember B tFat ordered tFe closure of tFe



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organiKation citing article 7 of tFe 0aw on 'ssociations 98B/; wFicF bansnongoCernmental organiKations from receiCing foreign funding witFout priorgoCernment permission. #Fe organiKation Fas appealed tFe decree before tFe'dministratiCe !ourt and a Fearing was set for +ctober . !licD (+(fordetails. #Fe 1Fite )ouse expressed Ldeep concernM at tFe closure and tFe

cracDdown on Journalists> clicD (+(for tFe statement.

President 3ubaraD referred to parliament on (oCember 8 7 a draft law

banning demonstrations in places of worsFip. #Fe L0aw to PreserCe tFe anctity ofPlaces of 1orsFipM was passed to tFe Fura !ouncil on ,ecember B and will tFen

be sent to tFe PeopleHs 'ssembly. #Fe law sets punisFment of up to one year inprison and fines of * Egyptian pounds 9"A8G; for organiKers of ademonstration and up to six montFs in prison and fines of * pounds9"AG4B; for participants. #Fe law is expected to face opposition in tFePeopleHs 'ssembly especially from3uslim %rotFerFood 3PswFo Fold eigFtyeigFt out of B*B seats.

Political Forces

Political Parties

&uling party

(ational ,emocratic Party(,P 9al)iKb al1atani al,imocrati; #Fe party was establisFed in G78 #Fe party formed a new Gmember secretariat general on 2ebruary 4

in a moCe obserCers belieCe signals a clear sFift in tFe party in faCor ofyounger members close to 6amal 3ubaraD. 6amal 3ubaraD became one oftFree assistant secretaries general replacing 5amal alFaKli.

(ewspaper al'atani al'&oum

3ain legal opposition parties

1afd Party 9)iKb al1afd;

#Fe 1afd Party was first establisFed in GG by aad agFloul to lead tFestruggle for Egypt:s liberation from %ritisF domination. It was relauncFedin G78.

It is a stauncF adCocate of political and economic liberalism. (ewspaper al'afd

(ational ProgressiCe "nionist Party 9)iKb al#agammu; #Fe party was establisFed in G74 under tFe leadersFip of 5Falid

3oFieddin. It is left wing (ewspaper al' A%ali



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'rab ,emocratic (asserist Party #Fe 'rab (asserist Party adCocates selfreliance in economic deCelopment

a central role for tFe state witF society maintaining control oCer resources. It is trong cFampion of 'rab unity and nonalignment. Egypt sFould not be

subserCient to any foreign power but sFould maintain independence.

(ewspaper al'Arabi

'l6Fad 9L#omorrowM; Party 9)iKb al6Fad; 'l6Fad was granted legal recognition on +ctober 7 B after tFree

reJections. It was founded by former al1afd party member 'yman (our. 'l6Fad:s platform calls for political reforms including direct presidential

elections and endorses a neoliberal economic agenda. #Fe Egyptian goCernment cracDed down on al6Fad in anuary2ebruary

*. 'yman (our was stripped of Fis parliamentary immunity andarrested on anuary G on cFarges of forging signatures on documents

under wFicF Fis party was registered. )is trial was postponed on uly 4* after a Dey goCernment witness recanted Fis testimony against (ourand asDed for protection from security officials wFo Fe said Fad tFreatenedFis family. )e was Jailed again on ,ecember 4 along witF seCeral otFerdefendants. (our lost Fis parliamentary seat to a former security officer

bacDed by tFe ruling (,P. (ewspaper al'(%ad

#Fe ,emocratic 2ront

It is a liberal party It is EgyptHs most recently establisFed party licensed by tFe Fura

!ouncilHs Political Parties !ommittee on 3ay B 7. #Fe party founded by appointed Fura !ouncil member +sama al6FaKali

)arb a former member of tFe ruling (,P and former cabinet minister-eFia al6amal.

EgyptHs opposition parties remain structurally weaD and are plagued by aging

leadersFip a Fistory of infigFting and petty personal politics.

#Fe 1afd #agammu and (asserist parties lacD large constituencies and tFe

ability to build popular support. 'l6Fad Party is belieCed to FaCe more

support but it Fas not participated in an election yet.

#Fe Emergency 0aw Fas inFibited tFe deCelopment of parties. It proFibits

parties from Folding rallies witFout prior permission wFicF is rarely granted.It giCes tFe security powers Cast and uncFecDed powers to arrest and detainindiCiduals. #Fe law also proFibits striDes and demonstrations and giCes tFegoCernment powers to censor and sFut down newspapers.

+tFer parties

0abor Party 9a'mal; Islamist> founded in G78 but Fas not been allowed to

operate or publisF its newspaper al'S%aabsince 0iberal Party 9al'Frar; 2ounded in G74



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'l"mma 2ounded in G84 'l#aDaful 2ounded in GG* 6reen Party 2ounded in GG Egypt 'rab ocialist Party 2ounded in G74 -oung Egypt Party 2ounded in GG

"nionist ,emocratic Party 2ounded in GG ocial ustice Party 2ounded in GG@ ,emocratic Peace Party 2ounded in * Egypt -outF Party 2ounded *

#wo otFer actiCe parties 9tFe Islamist L!enter PartyM and (asserist L5arama

PartyM; tFat FaCe sougFt permits remain unlicensed

3ain Islamist moCements/organiKations tFat are not recogniKed as political parties

3uslim %rotFerFood 3oCement

#Fe 3uslim %rotFerFood was establisFed in G8 by )assan al%anna. It belieCes in tFe Islamic Faria as tFe Dey to realiKing tFe principles of

freedom and Justice and promotes tFe gradual IslamiKation of Egyptianpublic life. #Fe groupHs goal is to establisF a state ruled by tFe principles ofFaria.

,espite a constitutional ban against religiousbased parties tFe 3uslim%rotFerFood constitutes potentially tFe most significant political oppositionin Egypt.

It is tolerated by tFe state but formally remains illegal enJoying neitFer tFestatus of a legal political party nor tFat of a legal association. It is allowedto pursue its actiCities as a social moCement combining religiouscFaritable educational and publisFing actiCities witF a substantial political

presence. 't freNuent interCals FoweCer tFe state cracDs down arresting %rotFersQ

tFe standard cFarge being Lattempting to reorganiKe a banned moCement.M 3uslim %rotFers now run as independents in legislatiCe elections. In tFe

* legislatiCe elections tFey won 88 of B*B seats. #Fe 3uslim %rotFerFood calls for free and fair elections> tFe amendment of

tFe laws on political parties and professional syndicates> tFe rigFt todemonstrate Fold meetings and publisF newspapers> and aboCe all liftingEmergency 0aw in force since G8. &ecently added to tFis list is a

proposal for radical constitutional cFange to maDe tFe state a parliamentaryrepublic. #Fe 3uslim %rotFer is led by 3oFammad 3aFdi 'Def 9upreme 6uide;

after tFe deatF of 3amoun )odeiby on anuary B B. &ecently tFousands of supporters and members of tFe %rotFerFood FaCe

been protesting around tFe country for political reform. 'utForitiesarrested Fundreds for Ciolating tFe ban on street protests.

)iKb al1asat aladid 9(ew !entrist Party; #Fe party was formed in GG4. It claims to represent a moderate stream of

political Islam and seeDs to constitute a moderate reformist party



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It defines its reference to Islam in terms of Islamic ciCiliKation ratFer tFantFe Islamic faitF breaDing witF a Dey aspect of tFe 3uslim %rotFersHtradition.

#Fe party is led by former 3uslim %rotFerFood member 'bul Ela 3adi. It consists in part of former 3uslim %rotFers but also of personalities witF

no linDs to tFe 3uslim %rotFerFood. 'l 1asat saw its application reJected by tFe Political Parties 'ffairs

!ommittee for tFe tFird time on +ctober B 9also in GG4 and GG8;. 'ltFougF tFe PP'! offered no reason for its decision in tFe past

goCernment officials FaCe stated tFat tFe party is a front for tFe banned3uslim %rotFerFood.

'lamaa alIslamiyya 9#Fe Islamic 6roup; 2rom GG to late GG7 it was tFe main organiKation engaged in Ciolent

insurgency in Egypt. In 3arcF GGG tFe group formally proclaimed aceasefire wFicF it Fas Feld since.

&ecently tFe group Fas been engaged in a process of collectiCe selfcriticism renouncing tFe use of Ciolence> renouncing tFe resort to JiFadagainst a ruler wFo does not apply tFe Faria> accepting tFat tFe practice ofLcommanding wFat is proper and proFibiting wFat is repreFensibleM sFould

be left to tFe legal autForities> and abandoning tFe opposition to partypolitics Coting etc.

+pposition political groups and parties including tFe 3uslim %rotFerFood

articulate tFe following demands

-

0ift tFe emergency rule imposed since +ctober G8 and upFoldconstitutionally ensFrined rigFts of peaceful assembly and demonstration>

- )old free and fair parliamentary elections superCised by tFe Judiciary and anindependent election monitoring commission>

- &eform tFe constitution particularly by substituting direct popular election oftFe president from multiple candidates for tFe present indirect selection by

popular referendum of a single candidate cFosen by parliament>

- 0ift all legal restrictions on political parties 90aw B/G77; professionalsyndicates 90aw /G@; nongoCernmental organiKations 90aw 8B/; andtFe press 90aw G4/GG4; especially tFe twoyear imprisonment for libel andslander>

-End trial of ciCilians before military tribunals.

&ivil Societ$

#Fe number of registered associations is estimated as of @ to be rougFly 4.

#Fese include business associations professional groups adCocacy organiKationsclubs youtF centers and political parties in addition to (6+s.

(ongoCernmental organiKations particularly Fuman rigFts groups are often

refused legal registration and tFose tFat are allowed to operate FaCe little protectionagainst arbitrary goCernment closures.



G

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' group of Egyptian intellectuals FaCe formed a L(ational 'ssembly for

,emocratic #ransformationM 9al#agammu al1atani lil #aFawwul al,imuNrati;tFat aims to foster debate about a new constitution. 'ccording to tFe group:smission statementreleased on une B * a Lcoordination committeeM composed

of prominent Egyptian figures will be formed first to consult witF all politicalforces in tFe formation of tFe national front. #Fe group led by octogenarian former

prime minister 'KiK idNi includes members sucF as prominent Islamistintellectuals #areN al%isFri and 3uFammad alim al'wwa former deputyforeign minister 'bdullaF al'sFal and newspaper editor 3ustafa al%aDri asspoDesman.

"nions and Professional yndicates

6eneral "nion of Egyptian 1orDers 6eneral "nion for Press Printing

Information Press "nion yndicate of Egyptian Engineers yndicate of Egyptian 3edical Professionals "nion of Egyptian PublisFers

#Fe formation and actiCities of labor unions are FeaCily restricted.

ince 4 local media FaCe documented oCer instances of labor unrest

primarily demanding wage increases.

"mbrella organiKations

#Fe 2ederation of !Fambers of !ommerce. #Fe 2ederation of Egyptian Industries. #Fe Egyptian #rade "nion 2ederation.

#Fe Popular !ampaign for !Fange 9also Dnown as 5ifaya or OEnougFO; is an

umbrella group of Fuman rigFts and ciCil society organiKations wFicF beganstaging public protests in ,ecember B against a fiftF term for President3ubaraD. eCeral 5ifaya supporters were arrested during tFe demonstrations.


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Election %esults

&esults for first p+()!,("%!&$ ($(c%!o")Feld on eptember 7 *

President )osni 3ubaraD 88.4 percent of tFe Cote. 'yman (our 9al6Fad Party leader; 7.4 percent. (oaman 6omaa 9al1afd Party leader; .G percent. $oter #urnout @ percent of @ million registered Coters.

+pposition candidates and ciCil society organiKations cFallenged tFe legitimacy oftFe Cote claiming tFat limited access by monitors to tFe polls and extensiCe

problems witF Coter lists called results into Nuestion. #Fe Presidential Election!ommission at first said tFat election monitors trained and organiKed by ciCilsociety organiKations would not be allowed inside polling stations and won an

appeal against an initial court ruling in tFe monitorsH faCor. 'ltFougF tFe!ommission relented at tFe eleCentF Four it was too late for instructions to reacF

Judges superCising polls or monitors to acNuire written credentials so mostmonitors did not gain access to polling stations.

' preliminaryreportby tFe Independent !ommittee for Election 3onitoring9organiKed by Ibn 5Faldoun !enter for ,eCelopment tudies; argues tFat electionadministration autForities failed to install tFe necessary legal proCisions to ensuretFe independence of tFe electoral process. In its eCaluationof tFe elections tFeEgyptian +rganiKation for )uman &igFts reNuested tFat tFe Judiciary enJoy fullelectoral oCersigFt in future elections and recommended tFe creation of an

independent commission to discuss constitutional reforms.

&esults of elections for P(op$() A))(0$in (oCember/,ecember *

(ational ,emocratic Party @ seats

3uslim %rotFerFood independents 88 seats

"naffiliated independents seats

5arama Party independents seats

6Fad Party dissidents seat

Postponed races seats'ppointees seats

#otal B*B seats

'ccording to tFe electoral commission 4 percent of eligible Coters participated intFe elections wFicF were Feld on a winnertaDeall system witF two candidates9one of wFom Fad to be a worDer or farmer; elected in eacF district.

Election monitors organiKed by ciCil society groups reported numerous Ciolations

particularly in tFe second and tFird rounds. #Fe Egyptian +rganiKation for )uman&igFts complained of (,PorganiKed Ciolence to discourage opposition Coters and


http://www.eicds.org/english/activities/news/preliminaryreport05.htmhttp://www.eicds.org/english/activities/news/preliminaryreport05.htmhttp://www.eohr.org/ar/report/2005/re0900.shtmlhttp://www.carnegieendowment.org/http://www.fride.org/http://www.eicds.org/english/activities/news/preliminaryreport05.htmhttp://www.eohr.org/ar/report/2005/re0900.shtmlhttp://www.carnegieendowment.org/http://www.fride.org/

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criticiKed tFe Egyptian autForities for closing off many polling stations. !licD Ferefor detailed reports by tFe organiKation on electoral irregularities. #Fe Independent!ommittee on Election 3onitoring a coalition of sixteen (6+s led by tFe Ibn5Faldun !enter for )uman &igFts condemned tFe arrest of opposition candidatesand reported tFat election obserCers were denied access to polling stations. 'n

earlier Jointstatementby tFe (ational !ampaign for 3onitoring Elections tFeFadow !ommittee for 3onitoring Elections and tFe !iCil ociety Election3onitoring +bserCatory reported incidents of Cotercoercion and Cotebuying.3edia watcFdog groups sucF as &eporters witFout %ordersCoiced alarm at attacDson Journalists coCering tFe elections by security forces.

President )osni 3ubaraD appointed ten additional members to tFe People:s'ssembly including fiCe !Fristians and fiCe women.

Procedures for tFe elections differed from tFose in parliamentary elections inseCeral respects. 2irst tFere was a )igFer !ommission for Parliamentary

Elections albeit not an independent one as it is Feaded by tFe 3inister of ustice.econd tFe !ommission agreed to allow Egyptian monitors trained and organiKedby nongoCernmental organiKations to obserCe tFe process inside and outside ofpolling places. #Fird tFe !ommission approCed tFe use of transparent ballotboxes to decrease tFe liDeliFood of fraud.

&esults of elections for S+& Co"c!$on une and une 87

- *87 candidates competed for eigFtyeigFt seats in twentyfour proCinces.

- #Fe (,P won 8B seats 7 seats in tFe first round eleCen of wFicF wereuncontested and B seats in tFe second round. #Fe (,P fielded Gcandidates twentyone more tFan tFe eigFtyeigFt seats up for grabs.

- +nly one seat was won by opposition party candidate from tFe #agammu party9in 'lexandria;.

- #Free seats were won by an independent.

- !ompeting in Fura elections for tFe first time tFe 3uslim %rotFerFoodpresented nineteen candidates butdid not win any seats.

- 3ost otFer opposition groups did not participate.

- !lasFes between ruling party supporters and independents outside pollingstations resulted in tFe deatF of an opposition supporter in tFe nortFern (ile,elta region.

-,omestic election obserCers stated tFat polling station officials only permitted

(,P supporters inside tFe polling station in many proCinces preCentedopposition supporters from casting ballots and proFibited obserCers fromentering some polling stations.

- Egyptian police detained more tFan members of tFe 3uslim %rotFerFoodon election day as part of a cracDdown against tFe opposition group in tFe leadup to Fura !ouncil elections. #Fe detainees wFo included six candidates fortFe elections are accused of membersFip in a banned group campaigning

before tFe official start of tFe campaign period and using religious slogans.#Fe %rotFerFood campaigned under its traditional LIslam is tFe olutionMslogan despite a recent constitutional amendment banning any political actiCityon a religious basis. Fura !ouncil peaDer afwat alFerif asDed tFe


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recentlyformed Electoral !ommission on une * 7 to remoCe tFe names ofseCenteen candidates from tFe ballot because of tFeir affiliation witF tFe%rotFerFood but tFe commission declined.

- !licD(+(for a report in 'rabic by tFe Egyptian +rganiKation for )uman&igFts.

&esults of "!c!p&$ ($(c%!o")on 'pril

- eCenty percent of tFe ruling (,PHs candidates ran unopposed 9tFe (,Pregistered B84 candidates out of a total of 48 candidates registered;.

- #Fe (,P won G7 percent of municipal seats 9won * percent of tFeconstituencies unopposed;.

- 'ccording to "(,P Coter turnout was Cery low due to tFe predeterminedresults in many districts wFere tFere were no opposition candidates. #Feministry of tFe interior claims Coter turnout was FigF but Fas not giCen any

numbers.



@
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&onstitutional %evision

'ccording to A+%!c$( 19:tFe president and tFe PeopleHs 'ssembly by onetFird of

its members may propose amendments to tFe constitution. #Fe PeopleHs'ssembly approCes amendments by a twotFirds maJority. #Fe amendments must

be referred to tFe citiKens for a referendum.

' constitution was adopted in G7 and reCised in G77 and G8. #Fe G8

amendments declared tFat tFe Egyptian political system is social democratic tFat itdepends on multiple political parties and tFat tFe principles of tFe Islamic Fariaare tFe principal source of legislation.

#Fe G8 amendment also dictated tFat tFe president is elected for six years witF

renewable terms tFat tFe president appoints a Fura !ouncil and tFat a upremePress !ouncil sFould be created for tFe protection of tFe freedom of tFe press.

' 3ay * * referendum approCed amendment to article 74 of tFe Egyptian

!onstitution wFicF allowed multicandidate elections for tFe presidency. #FePeople:s 'ssembly approCed tFe amendment on 3ay *.

' 3arcF 4 7 popular referendum approCed amendments to @B articles of tFe

G7 !onstitution. #Fe amendment limits Judicial monitoring of elections andbans tFe formation of political parties witF a religious frame of reference. !licD(+(for excerpts from tFe amendments in EnglisF and a full text in 'rabic.

+pposition and ciCil society groups reJected tFe amendments and Nuestionedreported Coter turnout for tFe referendum. #Fe udges !lub accused tFegoCernment of widespread fraud including ballot box stuffing and Cote buying.!licD (+(for details.



B
http://www.parliament.gov.eg/EPA/en/itemX.jsp?itemFlag=http://www.parliament.gov.eg/EPA/en/itemX.jsp?itemFlag=http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/appendix.pdfhttp://www.electionguide.org/country-news.php?ID=65http://www.carnegieendowment.org/http://www.fride.org/http://www.parliament.gov.eg/EPA/en/itemX.jsp?itemFlag=http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/appendix.pdfhttp://www.electionguide.org/country-news.php?ID=65http://www.carnegieendowment.org/http://www.fride.org/

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&orruption

#Fe 'dministratiCe !ontrol 'utFority EgyptHs goCernment agency tFat

inCestigates corruption in tFe public sector refers its allegations to tFe upremetate ecurity !ourts wFicF are responsible for tFe prosecution of tFese cases.#Fese courts conCicted seCeral businessmen and officials in including aformer finance minister a former attorney general tFe former goCernor of 6iKa ateleCision news director and tFe sitting deputy agriculture minister. #Fe rulings intFese cases dealt out long prison sentences and large fines.

!ritics allege tFat tFe anticorruption campaign Fas been politically motiCated.

' brancF of #ransparency International exists in Egypt. #ransparency

InternationalHs !orruption Perception Index 7ranDs Egypt *tFout of 8

countries.

!orruption is also monitored by economicsbased tFinD tanDs sucF as tFeEgyptian

!enter for Economic tudies9E!E; wFicF was founded in GG.



*
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%atification of International &onventions

International !oCenant on !iCil and Political &igFts 9!!P&; on anuary B G8

International !oCenant on Economic ocial and !ultural&igFts 9!E!&; on anuary B G8

#Fe !onCention on tFe Elimination of 'll 2orms of #orture and +tFer !ruel

InFuman or ,egrading #reatment or PunisFment 9!'#; on une * G84

#Fe International !onCention on tFe Elimination of 'll 2orms of &acial

,iscrimination 9!E&,; on 3ay G47

#Fe !onCention of on tFe Elimination of 'll 2orms of ,iscrimination against

1omen 9!E,'1; on eptember 8 G8

#Fe !onCention on tFe &igFts of tFe !Fild 9!&!; on uly 4 GG

Carnegie Endowment for International Peacei d t

&undaci'n (ara las )elaciones Internacionales * eli+l E t i

4
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/http://www.carnegieendowment.org/

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