Amnesty International and Human Rights Organizations Urge Rejection of Egypt’s Proposed Criminal Procedure Code

Leading human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have urged the Egyptian parliament to reject a proposed draft law intended to replace the existing Criminal Procedure Code. They assert that this draft would deteriorate fair trial rights and bolster police and prosecutorial authority to the detriment of human rights protections. Criticism has focused on the draft’s failure to eliminate abusive practices in pretrial detentions and the perpetuation of impunity for law enforcement.

The proposed draft of the new Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) in Egypt has elicited strong opposition from prominent human rights organizations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Commission of Jurists. These organizations assert that the draft law, which aims to replace the existing 1950 CPC, would severely diminish fair trial rights and further empower abusive law enforcement within the country. Critics argue that the government missed an opportunity to implement meaningful protections for human rights during the reform process that followed the so-called 2023 National Dialogue. Instead, current legislative efforts appear to reinforce the existing systems that have historically facilitated violations of civil liberties. Saïd Benarbia, the Middle East and North Africa program director at the International Commission of Jurists, condemns the draft as a mockery of national dialogue, failing to represent the concerns of victims and civil society. Despite government claims that the proposed law reflects suggestions made during discussions with opposition figures, it remains steeped in provisions that contradict international human rights norms. This includes retaining problematic legal frameworks that have permitted widespread abuses of pretrial detention, enabling impunity for law enforcement, and extending the authority of public prosecutors beyond acceptable limits. Mahmoud Shalaby, a researcher at Amnesty International, emphasizes the draft’s shortcomings, noting the failure to guarantee detainees’ rights before judicial authorities, among other potential violations that could arise if the new CPC is enacted. Notably, the legislation allows prosecutors to interrogate detainees without defense counsel, a practice criticized for undermining fairness in trials. Moreover, past amendments to the CPC by Egyptian authorities have increasingly eroded judicial independence, compromising the rule of law and facilitating repression against political dissenters. Human rights groups are therefore calling for the Egyptian government to reject this draft CPC and initiate the creation of a new law that aligns with international human rights standards and genuinely engages various stakeholders in its formulation.

The situation in Egypt regarding its legal system has been historically challenging, particularly in the context of human rights abuses perpetrated under the framework of existing laws. The Criminal Procedure Code, which is set to be replaced, has long been criticized for providing a foundation that allows arbitrary detentions and violates fair trial standards. Recent legislative efforts purportedly initiated in response to national dialogues with civil society and opposition groups have instead been labeled as an extension of previous oppressive measures. Given Egypt’s existing political environment, characterized by a controlled parliament and limited civic freedoms, the implications of changes to the CPC are significant in determining the future of legal protections for detainees and the overall human rights landscape in the country.

The proposed amendments to Egypt’s Criminal Procedure Code have incited substantial criticism from a range of human rights organizations, which argue that the changes will exacerbate existing violations of fair trial rights and extend the power of law enforcement to abuse detainees. Key figures and watchdogs assert that the law remains deeply flawed, failing to uphold international standards for human rights and preventing necessary legal safeguards. As discussions reportedly move forward in parliament, the need for a revision of the draft to align with global human rights expectations is pressing. Organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are urging the Egyptian authorities to withdraw this draft and pursue a more comprehensive approach that includes consultations with victims, legal experts, and civil society to ensure the protection of fundamental rights in future legislative efforts.

Original Source: www.miragenews.com