Egypt's parliament has approved a set of constitutional amendments despite a boycott by the opposition, which calls the changes a blow to democracy.
President Hosni Mubarak has billed the controversial measures as part of a reform package to increase democracy.
But almost a quarter of the 454-member parliament say they are a way for the president to maintain strict control.
The changes include a ban on the creation of political parties based on religion, and sweeping security powers.
The 34 amendments were passed with a vote of 315 and will now go to a referendum, which is expected by early April.
See full BBC Article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6468929.stm
2 comments:
having read the constitutional amendments I can say that it dose not change any thing on the ground for Egyptians. i refer you to Amnesty International comment
"The proposed constitutional amendments would simply entrench the long- standing system of abuse under Egypt's state of emergency powers and give the misuse of those powers a bogus legitimacy. Instead of putting an end to the secret detentions, enforced 'disappearances', torture and unfair trials before emergency and military courts, Egyptian MPs are now being asked to sign away even the constitutional protections against such human rights violations"
The amendment of Article 179 would pave the way for the introduction of a new anti-terrorism law that would undermine the principle of individual freedom [Article 41(1)], privacy of the home [Article 44] and privacy of correspondence, telephone calls and other communication [Article 45(2)]. The amendments would also grant the president the right to interfere in the judiciary by bypassing ordinary courts, including by referring people suspected of terrorism-related offenses to military courts.
Amnest press release
if you are interested check this
The Challenge of Democracy in the Middle East
The amendment to Article 179 of the Egyptian constitution has provoked a storm of controversy among legal experts and human rights activists
Post a Comment