• MB News
  • May 13, 2010
  • 6 minutes read

MB MP: Emergency Law, instrument of tyranny and oppression

MB MP: Emergency Law, instrument of tyranny and oppression

 

The MP, noted that the government was the sole beneficiary of the continued violent and unjust suppression in which Egypt  has suffered the past 30 years
During the parliamentary hearing following the renewal, Katatni urged deputies to support the people who voted for them and not the few individuals who promoted their personal interests
Under the law, the government has the right to expand police proceedings which violate human rights. Numerous reports by the National Council for Human Rights bear witness to the gross violation of human rights under the above-mentioned law. The Emergency law continues to restrict the freedoms of assembly, the power to arrest and detain suspects and the rights to search individuals and premises without the need to follow the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code. Katatni argued that if the Government was serious about fighting terrorism and drugs, they could do so by imposing law No. 17 for the 1992
MP Hussein Ibrahim, Deputy Head of MB Parliamentary Bloc, criticised the emergency law, saying “It empowered the authorities to refer civilians to military courts, pointing out that since 1992; military tribunals and emergency courts have issued at least 137 death sentences in terrorism cases, at least 67 of which have been carried out”
MP Mohamed Abdel-Aziz Shaaban from the Tagammu Party also objected to the renewal, noting that the people had hoped the state of emergency would be lifted, doubting the government claims that the law will be used only to protect against terrorism and drug trafficking
Interim Chairman of the New Wafd Party Mahmoud Abaza, called on the Government to repeal the law and give the Egyptians the opportunity to rule their country pointing out that the law restricts public freedoms
NDP MP Dr. Zakaria Azmi explained that the “President’s decision to extend the law would be used only in cases of terrorism, any  Egyptian desiring  to live in peace should neither fear nor worry about the emergency law,” adding “Egypt enjoys a great deal of political stability and peace
NDP MP Ibrahim Al Jojri lashed out at the Muslim Brotherhood deputies and the opposition, accusing them of encouraging the terrorists which angered the Muslim Brotherhood representatives
Independent Nasserist MP Hamdeen Sabbahy described Egypt as being far worse now than it was two years ago
MP Mustafa Bakri indicated that the government itself recognizes there is no terrorism but the insistence to impose such emergency is a political game ahead of the upcoming elections, pointing out that the current Penal Code is sufficient
 
He also pointed to the Terrorism Act, which prescribes the death penalty, adding “If the government is not content with the existing legislation then it has definitely failed as a government to address such issues and must resign”
 
Dr. Mufid Shehab Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs claimed that “The state of emergency was not imposed to tighten sanctions. Its goal is to pre-empt terrorist acts and drug-trafficking, and to prevent riots