Press release
Cairo:23/2/2003

EOHR campaign for the cessation of the emergency law                   

EOHR appeals to the legislature and the executive:

Don’t renew the Emergency Law

EOHR is deeply concerned at the intention of Egyptian authorities to extend the emergency law (No.162 of 1958) for another three years. The emergency state has been in force in Egypt since the assassination of El Sadat in 1981. Since then, it has been continuously extended for over 20 years, despite the fact that such a law is intended only as an exceptional measure. The law expires in May 2003.

The executive authorities are justifying the decision to extend the emergency law on two grounds: its necessity in the current international situation and the combating of terrorism. EOHR rejects such justifications. Dealing with the current international situation requires the implementation of democracy, public freedoms and civil participation to confront political, economic and cultural challenges. Moreover, Egypt has not witnessed any terrorist activity since 1997, removing the necessity of any justification of emergency based on terrorism.

Since the establishment of EOHR in 1985, it has highlighted the dangers of the emergency law and its negative impact on international and domestic human rights in Egypt. The emergency law grants the executive broad powers to impose restrictions on the freedoms of assembly, movement and residence. It allows wide powers of arrest, search and detention without the protections contained in the Criminal Procedures Code. Further, the law gives the Military Ruler the power to issue decrees that have the effect of law. This has resulted in a parallel system of exceptional courts that are permitted to violate fair trial standards.

Accordingly, EOHR calls for an end to the state of emergency declared in Egypt. The removal of such exceptional law will assist in promoting the civil participation of Egyptian society in confronting current challenges. The lifting of the emergency law will also end the numerous violations of civil and political rights that have accompanied it during the past decades.