Egypt’s new legislation, which empowers the military to completely or partially replace some roles performed by the police, civilian courts, and other civilian agencies, threatens human rights in the country.
Development Diaries reports that the Egyptian government issued new legislation in February 2024 that will entrench and widen the already broad powers of the military over civilian life in a manner that undermines rights, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
It is understood that the military has the authority to further expand the jurisdiction of military courts to prosecute civilians.
The new law and adjustments to existing law were brought to parliament by the government in January, and the house quickly approved the laws with little to no debate or changes.
As per the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, military courts are not supposed to have jurisdiction over civilians under any circumstances.
Also, HRW’s findings reveal that a significant new element in the new law grants military personnel the authority to inspect and search places, arrest people, or confiscate materials for the purpose of confronting ‘offenses that harm the basic needs of society, including food commodities and essential products’.
This development has been criticised as a strategy to contain increasing discontent over the Egyptian government’s dismal failures to uphold and ensure basic economic and political rights.
Military dominance being entrenched over civilian life endangers human rights, and can also lead to the suppression of basic freedoms, including freedom of speech, assembly, and expression, along with the frequent silencing of dissenting voices.
Furthermore, it is unacceptable for civilians to be tried in military courts since these trials often seriously violate due process rights and have been utilised by authoritarian regimes to suppress peaceful protests.
Development Diaries calls on the Egyptian government to review the legislation encouraging the entrenchment of military dominance, as it undermines the fundamental rights and freedoms of its citizens.
Source: HRW
Photo source: Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
