Constitution of Egypt

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Constitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt
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Overview
Jurisdiction Egypt
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The Constitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt is the fundamental law of Egypt.

The Egyptian Constitution of 2014 was passed in a referendum in January 2014. [1] The constitution took effect after the results were announced on 18 January 2014. A constitutional amendments referendum was held from 20 to 22 April 2019. [2]

Background

In July 2013, after the ousting of former President Mohammed Morsi, the military announced the schedule for the development of the constitution, with the vote to occur around the end of November 2013. [3] Two different committees were involved in amending the 2012 constitution. [4] [5] The constitution replaces the Egyptian Constitution of 2012 which came into effect under Morsi. [6]

Contents

The constitution adopted in 2014, like the constitution drafted under Morsi, is based on the Egyptian Constitution of 1971. [7]

The 2014 constitution sets up a president and parliament. [6] The president is elected to a four-year term and may serve two terms. [6] The parliament may impeach the president. [6] Under the constitution, there is a guarantee of equality between the sexes and an absolute freedom of belief, but Islam is the state religion. [6] The military retains the ability to appoint the national Minister of Defense for the next 8 years. [6] Under the constitution, political parties may not be based on "religion, race, gender or geography"; [6] the law regarding Egyptian political parties that regulated the 2011-2012 parliamentary elections included a similar clause prohibiting religious parties, though it was not enforced. [8] The document, whilst it does proclaim an absolute freedom of expression, that freedom is often subject to exceptions leading to legal consequences often targeting public supporters of the LGBT community. [9] [10] [11] The constitution protects texts pertaining to presidency terms, freedoms and equality from being amended in an entrenched clause in article 226, except with more guarantees. [12]

Reception

In 2014, the constitution was criticized by the Revolutionary Socialists [13] and the Road of the Revolution Front, [14] who perceived it as leaving too much power in the hands of the military.

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohamed Morsi</span> President of Egypt from 2012 to 2013

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Egyptian constitutional referendum</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Egyptian Constitution of 2012</span> Fundamental law of Egypt from 2012 to 2014

The Constitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt was the former fundamental law of Egypt. It was signed into law by President Mohamed Morsi on 26 December 2012, after it was approved by the Constituent Assembly on 30 November 2012 and passed in a referendum held 15–22 December 2012 with 64% support, and a turnout of 33%. It replaced the 2011 Provisional Constitution of Egypt, adopted in 2011 following the Egyptian revolution. On 3 July 2013, the constitution was suspended by order of the Egyptian army. On 8 July 2013, acting President Adly Mansour issued a decree that envisaged the introduction of amendments to the constitution and put them to a referendum; if approved, the suspended-constitution would be restored into law. The current constitutional declaration has the power of a constitution; it outlines the authorities of the president and establishes many rights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012–2013 Egyptian protests</span> Period of unrest around the 2012 presidential elections and 2013 coup

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Egyptian coup d'état</span> Military coup overthrowing Mohamed Morsi

The 2013 Egyptian coup d'etat took place on 3 July 2013. Egyptian army chief General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi led a coalition to remove the democratically elected President of Egypt Mohamed Morsi from power and suspended the Egyptian constitution of 2012. The move came after the military's ultimatum for the government to "resolve its differences" with protesters during widespread national protests. The military arrested Morsi and Muslim Brotherhood leaders, and declared Chief Justice of the Supreme Constitutional Court Adly Mansour as the interim president of Egypt. The announcement was followed by demonstrations and clashes between supporters and opponents of the move throughout Egypt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Post-coup unrest in Egypt (2013–2014)</span> Protests and clashes following the coup

Protests against the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état erupted in July 2013. Immediately following the removal of President Mohamed Morsi by the Egyptian Armed Forces on 3 July 2013 amid demonstrations against Morsi's rule, many protesters amassed near the Rabia Al-Adawiya Mosque to call for Morsi's return to power and condemn the military, while others demonstrated in support of the military and interim government. Deadly clashes such as Rabaa massacre continued for several days, with three particularly bloody incidents being described by officials as "massacres" perpetrated by security forces. During the month of Ramadan, prime minister Hazem al-Beblawy threatened to disperse the ongoing Pro-Morsi sit-ins in Rabaa al-Adaweya square and al-Nahda square. The government crackdown of these protests occurred in a violent dispersal on 14 August 2013. In mid-August, the violence directed by the army towards the protesters escalated, with hundreds killed, and the government declaring a month-long nighttime curfew.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Egyptian constitutional referendum</span>

A constitutional referendum was held in Egypt on 14 and 15 January 2014, with Egyptians abroad voting between 8 and 12 January. The new constitution was approved by 98.1% of voters. Turnout was 38.6%.

The following lists events from 2014 in Egypt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Egyptian constitutional referendum</span>

A constitutional referendum was held in Egypt between 20 and 22 April 2019, The main proposed amendments were re-establishing the presidential term to six years, from four previously, and removing the limit of two terms on the president, thereby allowing President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to potentially remain in power until 2030. The changes were approved by 88.83% of voters who voted, with a 44% turnout.

References

  1. "Egypt constitution 'approved by 98.1 percent'". Al Jazeera English. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  2. "UPDATE 6: 98.1% approves post-June 30 constitution". Ahram Online. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  3. "Egypt's timetable for transition to elections". Associated Press. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  4. "Amended draft of Egyptian constitution passed to president". Egypt Independent. 21 August 2013. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  5. "Mansour receives amended constitution". Daily News Egypt. 3 December 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "BBC News – Egypt referendum: '98% back new constitution'". BBC Online . BBC. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  7. "What's in Egypt's proposed new constitution?". Al Jazeera English. 14 January 2014. Archived from the original on 22 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  8. Yussef Auf (25 November 2014). "Political Islam's Fate in Egypt Lies in the Hands of the Courts". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  9. "Cairo Court Sentences Talk Show Host Ahmed Moussa To Prison | Egyptian Streets". 17 March 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  10. "Egyptian TV Presenter Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison on Charges of 'Outraging Public Decency' | Egyptian Streets". 3 November 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  11. Kirkpatrick, David (17 January 2014). "Egypt's Crackdown Belies Constitution as It Nears Approval". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  12. The Constitution of Egypt. p. 62.
  13. "Revolutionary Socialists call for "no" vote on constitution". Aswat Masriya. 18 December 2013. Retrieved 19 January 2014.
  14. "Way of the Revolution Front to vote no to constitution". Ahram Online. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2014.