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.
