Press releases Egypt

The OHCHR calls on the President of the Republic to examine the draft Criminal Procedures Law prior to its ratification

14 May, 2025

Cairo: May 14, 2025

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed concern on May 13, 2025 over the recent adoption of Egypt’s draft Criminal Procedures Law and the associated allegations of violations therein. The statement highlighted that the proposed legislation grants the Public Prosecution extensive discretionary authority in matters of pretrial detention, raising alarms about potential overreach.

The OHCHR further noted that the draft law includes provisions that broaden the scope for communications surveillance, impose travel bans, and curtail the right to legal defense. Additional concerns were raised regarding the unwarranted expansion of judicial police powers and the absence of mechanisms for ensuring legal accountability of law enforcement personnel.

The statement pointed out that amendments to the draft law were introduced prior to its submission to the President of the Republic, yet these changes were not made public—an action viewed as undermining the principle of legislative transparency.

The OHCHR urged the President of the Republic to examine the draft legislation prior to its ratification to ensure Egypt’s full alignment with its obligations under international human rights conventions.

The statement comes within the OHCHR’s efforts to follow up on the draft Criminal Procedures Law due to its profound implications for the protection of human rights and adherence to fair trial standards.

The adoption of the Criminal Procedures Law is a legislative catastrophe for Egypt’s justice system

29 April, 2025

Cairo, 29 April 2025

The Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and Legal Profession (ACIJLP) expresses its profound concern and deep regret over the Egyptian parliament’s approval, on 29 April 2025, of the draft Criminal Procedures Law. The ACIJLP has consistently warned of the detrimental implications this legislation poses to Egypt’s criminal justice system. The ACIJLP reiterates its rejection of the amendments to the Criminal Procedures Law, which undermine the constitutional and legal rights of citizens to a fair and impartial trial in accordance with internationally recognized standards. These rights must be safeguarded throughout the entire judicial process—from the moment of arrest and investigation to trial and appeals. Of particular concern is the law’s failure to uphold essential procedural safeguards related to home and personal searches, as well as the interception of private communications.

To read the full statement, please open the link

Extrajudicial killing and hostage-taking are crimes warranting immediate referral to the Criminal Court

14 April, 2025

The Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and Legal Profession (ACIJLP) condemns the grave violations reportedly perpetrated by individuals affiliated to the security forces in the city of Al-Nagila, Marsa Matrouh Governorate, including the detention of women as hostages and the arbitrary execution of two citizens.

The ACIJLP expresses its profound concern over information indicating that 23 women were detained by security forces as a coercive measure to compel the surrender of individuals sought by the authorities, following the killing of three police officers by a fugitive from justice. Such actions represent a flagrant breach of legal and ethical standards and constitute serious violations of the rights to liberty, security of person, and due process.

To read the full statement, please open the link

Oppose Sanctions Against the International Criminal Court,

22 January, 2025

Safeguard Victims’ Access to Justice

14 January 2025

Author:

Coalition for the ICC

The Coalition for the International Criminal Court and more than 120 of its member non-governmental organisations and coalitions from around the globe strongly oppose efforts by the United States of America (US) to impose sanctions related to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and urge ICC member states to defend the ICC, its officials, and those cooperating with it from measures aimed at undermining the court’s vital mandate for justice. The ICC is an independent judicial institution tasked with delivering justice to victims of serious international crimes when they have nowhere else to turn. It is a critical court of last resort supported by 125 member countries and operating in more than 16 countries across the globe.

To read the full statement, please open the link

Urgent Statement : Recording conversations that took place in a private location is a violation of the constitution, even with judicial authorization

14 January, 2025

With deep concern, The Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP) is following up with the increasing pace and speed of discussions regarding the draft Criminal Procedure Law in Parliament. To date, Parliament has approved approximately 102 articles of the draft law, which has faced significant criticism from stakeholders, experts, civil society organizations, syndicates, and others…

ACIJLP expresses its concern over Parliament’s approval yesterday of Article no. 79 of the draft Criminal Procedure Law, which grants the Public Prosecution, after obtaining a justified warrant from the magistrate, the authority to issue orders to:

To read the full statement, please open the link

The ACIJLP appeals to the President of the Republic to pardon the remaining defendants in the Cabinet Incidents Case (42 defendants sentenced to 15 years)

24 December, 2024

The Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP) appeals to the President of the Republic to consider granting a pardon for the remaining sentences of 42 individuals convicted in the case widely referred to in the media as the “Cabinet Incidents Case.” The defendants were sentenced to 15 years of hard labor on July 25, 2017, under Case No. 3528 of 2011, South Cairo Court.

The ACIJLP notes that the events and investigations surrounding this case occurred amidst the turbulent circumstances of 2011. During this time, many peaceful demonstrators—who had not engaged in any acts of violence—were arrested and subjected to trial under heightened tensions. While those convicted in absentia in the same case were later retried under calmer conditions and received reduced sentences of three years, the sentences of 15 years of hard labor handed down to 42 present defendants remain final.

On August 19, 2023, Presidential Decree No. 348 of 2023 provided a pardon for some of those sentenced to 15 years in the same case.

To read the full statement, please open the link

The OHCHR calls on the President of the Republic to examine the draft Criminal Procedures Law prior to its ratification

The adoption of the Criminal Procedures Law is a legislative catastrophe for Egypt’s justice system

Extrajudicial killing and hostage-taking are crimes warranting immediate referral to the Criminal Court

Oppose Sanctions Against the International Criminal Court,

Urgent Statement : Recording conversations that took place in a private location is a violation of the constitution, even with judicial authorization

The ACIJLP appeals to the President of the Republic to pardon the remaining defendants in the Cabinet Incidents Case (42 defendants sentenced to 15 years)

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