This document has been recompiled and reformatted using texts collected in international ideas constitutionnet. The law specifies the principles by which public documents are accessed and archived. Reading egypts draft constitution the new york times. What links here related changes upload file special pages permanent. Protesters took to the streets in cairo and other egyptian cities today over a draft constitution written by islamists. Egypt assembly adopts draft constitution news al jazeera. The fact that the new draft reflects egypt s current governing coalition is neither surprising nor novel. Holders of governmental power althingi exercises the legislative power on behalf of the nation.
Elected members of the peoples assembly and shura council are required to meet within six months of being elected themselves to elect a constituent assembly of 100 members to prepare a new draft constitution. After the draft of the constitution was approved in the referenda held on december 15th and 22nd 2012, it became apparent that there was a deep rift in egypt. The new draft keeps article that law will be based on principles of islamic law but adds an article stating that egypt s. The constitution took effect after the results were announced on 18 january 2014. Egypt s islamistdominated constituent assembly has approved a controversial draft of the countrys new constitution in a session boycotted by most liberals, secularists and christians. Egypts government services portal laws and constitution. The proposed changes to egypts constitution al jazeera. Egypt s new draft constitution was approved sunday for a referendum billed as the first stage in a democratic transition promised by militaryinstalled authorities after islamist president. Steven cook talked about the vote on egypt s draft constitution, and he responded to telephone calls and electronic communication. A draft strategy to protect and reintegrate street children was developed with the ministry of insurance and social affairs misa and is expected to be launched in early 20.
The arab republic of egypt is a unified and sovereign state that shall not accept division. Egypt s constitution committee met in cairo on thursday for a vote on the draft. New constitution of egypt pdf this is our constitution, egypt is the gift of the nile for egyptians and the gift of. Egypts new constitution was adopted on december 22, 2012. Attached is the discussion draft of the constitution for the state of new columbia for your consideration that has been produced by the working group. The referendum in two rounds on 15 and 22 december 2012 was preceded. Fundamentals of the state article 1 1nature of the arab republic of egypt. Public consultations on the new draft were selective and. The constitution, approved in the midst of a political standoff between the president and the judiciary. Egypt s controversial new constitution has been signed into law by president mohammed morsi, a day after he announced it had been approved by a. Previous reports in memris series on egypt s draft constitution dealt with the controversial articles regarding the relations of religion and state in egypt. The constitution of the arab republic of egypt is the fundamental law of egypt the egyptian constitution of 2014 was passed in a referendum in january 2014.
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. Egypts draft constitution translated egypt independent. New constitution of egypt pdf new constitution of egypt pdf new constitution of egypt pdf download. Freedom of expression and information the centre for law and democracy is a nonprofit human rights organisation working internationally to provide legal expertise on foundational rights for democracy 1 statement on the freedom of expression and information provisions in the draft egyptian constitution. Egypt has operated under several constitutions, both as a monarchy and, after 1952, as a republic. In egypt s draft constitution, little sign of revolutionary ideals a partial draft of egypt s new constitution released yesterday has prompted warnings that it restricts rights such as freedom of. Introduction on december 1, 2012, egyptian president muhammad mursi announced that egypt s new constitution would be put to referendum on december 15. New york the final draft of a constitution approved on november 29, 2012, by egypt s 100member constituent assembly protects some rights but undermines others. Why is egypt s draft constitution so controversial. Despite cautious liberalisation in a few limited areas, egypt s new constitution of january 2014 does not represent a new democratic departure. Egypt draft charter approved for referendum al arabiya. The previous constitution similarly embodied the coalition that governed only a year ago, giving morsi and the ruling islamists a substantial foothold for instituting their theocratic agenda while securing the militarys buyin by granting.
Form of government iceland is a parliamentary democracy. The process of its adoption was not inclusive and the text. Pdf if a student of constitutional texts reads the egyptian constitution of 2012 from beginning. The 1987 constitution also needs to be updated to reflect the reality of our current governmental operation and to accommodate future changes in our governmental structure.
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. 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. December 1, 20, is meant to replace egypts 2012 constitution, which was written by an islamist majority and approved by a december 2012 referendum with 63 percent of the vote. The constitutional text departs from egypt s authoritarian path, but also from a previous consensus among political forces to curb presidential powers. Egypts constitution draft based on islam middle east. In light thereof we set a new constitution, the supreme law of the land that all must observe. Egyptian human rights experts analyze the draft constitution. As the intense debate surrounding its new draft constitution continues, egypt s political future remains uncertain. Unicef annual report 2012 for egypt, mena page 1 of 37 executive summary. President morsis opponents, a group comprised of leftists, liberals, secularists and christians took to the streets to prevent the enforcement of the constitution.
Egypt s new constitution was adopted on december 22, 2012. If its wording is written into the draft of egypt s new constitution, all hope is lost for a modern renaissance sought by the uprising of january 2011. Egypts 2012 constitution united states institute of peace. A woman in cairo casts her vote on egypt s new constitution, jan. With parliamentary elections now complete, egypt moves to the next major step in its fitful political transition drafting a new constitution for.
He has decided to respond by pushing for a hasty vote to adopt an equally contentious new constitution. Draft constitution the version of december 20 refworld. Egyptian assembly expected to approve draft constitution. Drafting egypts constitution carnegie endowment for. Can a new legal framework revive a flawed transition. The organization also stated that the chapter ii draft, entitled rights and. Draft dated 30 november 2012 of the constitution of the arab republic of egypt unofficial translation prepared by international idea. An examination of egypts draft constitution part ii. Egypt s constitution draft based on islam egypt s muslim brotherhoodled government is suggesting that the countrys new constitution be based on the principles of islam. The first and most liberal of these was the 1923 constitution, which was promulgated just after britain declared egypt s independence. Draft of the constitution of the arab republic of egypt up to date as of 20 september 2012 chapter 1.
The development of egypts constitution arab west report. Mohamed morsi signs egypts new constitution into law. On november 29, 2012, the constituent assembly of egypt finalized the drafting process of the new egyptian constitution. Statement on the freedom of expression and information. The new constitution no longer specifically forbids discrimination on the basis of. Morsis acceleration of the constitution writing process reflects the increasing impatience of. The constitution of the arab republic of egypt was the former fundamental law of egypt. This statement is being released as the formal deadline for the referendum on the new constitution of egypt, 15 december 2012, is just days away. Draft of the constitution of the arab republic of egypt up. December 1, 20, is meant to replace egypts 2012 constitution, which was written by an islamist majority. State powers and constitution drafting processes in. A proposal for a new constitution for the republic of iceland. The meeting took place after delegates from the secular parties had walked out. Comparison of egypts suspended and draft constitutions.
Egypts 2014 presidential election law page 2 of 46 applicants will be considered official candidates once the pec has completed investigating and verifying the documents. The present installment addresses the other central issues that have triggered public criticism of the draft constitution, which is to be brought to referendum on december 15, 2012. The arab republic of egypt is an independent, united sovereign state that. One week later, on december 8, 2012, egyptian president mohamed morsi issued a new constitutional declaration announcing that the constitutional draft would be voted on in a national referendum. Egypts new constitution limits fundamental freedoms and. A promise of a new dawn worthy of egypts history and civilization, the. Constitution preamble we, the people of egypt, in the name of the merciful god and with his aid, declare this to be our constitution, the document of the 25th of january revolution, which was started by our youth, embraced by our people, supported by our armed forces. Article 60 of the constitutional declaration provides for the drafting of a new constitution.
Topics included protests about egyptian president morsi, egypt. Egypt s government services portal laws and constitution. This is our constitution, egypt is the gift of the nile for egyptians and the gift of egyptians to humanity. Several articles include stronger emphasis on religion than the 1971 constitution, yet its character is largely secular. Brotherhood and different salafi trends, issued a draft constitution which. Access to information, data, statistics and documents, its disclosure and circulation. Constitution preamble we, the people of egypt, in the name of god and with the assistance of god, declare this to be egypt s constitution and the document of the pioneering, peaceful revolution, which was started by egypt s promising youth, protected by the armed forces, championed by the patient egyptians who gathered. The 2012 egyptian constitution did include provisions. Egyptian assembly expected to approve draft constitution this article is more than 7 years old voting commences on document, which has been criticised for. The rule of the muslim brotherhood the struggle for the. A vague role for religion in egyptian draft constitution. Coalitions documents as guidelines for the drafting of the new constitution, and, in. 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 s preamble says egypt seeks to build a democratic, modern country with a civilian government. In january 2014, article 19 analysed draft constitution of the arab republic of egypt of 2 december 20 draft constitution from the perspective of international human rights standards, in particular on freedom of expression and freedom of information. The new draft constitution has removed language and articles favored by the islamists. This briefing paper analyzes the new law on presidential elections.
1332 412 950 652 650 1517 661 1192 178 731 198 1332 604 1179 509 1162 1576 360 8 590 840 655 333 181 734 624 1299 1594 640 845 118 1432 132 239 1125 1559 25 712 92 340 215 403 602 1018 443 249 874 1131 30 1401 590